OCBC reveal employee-run community farm in Central Business District

\It is expected to produce 140 kgs of vegetables annually.

OCBC has unveiled an employee-run community urban farm.

Located atop the OCBC Centre carpark in Singapore, the farm covers 1,250 sq ft of space and is touted as the first community urban farm in the Central Business District, the bank said in a press release.

It makes use of a hydroponic system, regarded as one of the most sustainable ways of food production, according to OCBC. In a hydroponic setting, the water solution is reused and recirculated through pipes, returning excess water to the nutrient solution reservoir. 

The farm is expected to produce 140 kilograms of vegetables annually, with 13 October marking its first harvest. OCBC will donate the crops to Willing Hearts, a charity soup kitchen operated by volunteers. It is expected to be used in 3,000 meals.

OCBC currently plants lettuce in the space, but plans to expand to other vegetables as well such as cai xin and xiao bai cai.