FARMERS (Use of small machinery to increase productivity)

Mr Ho Kah Leong asked the Minister for Law and National Development whether the Government will take positive steps to encourage farmers to use small machinery in order to increase their productivity.

Mr Ho Cheng Choon (for the Minister for Law and National Development): Mr Speaker, Sir, most of the farms in Singapore are small in size, owing to limited land available. Small farm machinery such as small power tillers, pumps and irrigation equipment and spraying equipment for insecticides can be used by the farmers. The Primary Production Department is actively encouraging the use of such small equipment through demonstrations to the farming community. In addition, the Department is also providing net-set sprayers on loan to farmers.