Friendly Green Giant
Tatler Singapore|April 2023
The world is facing a major food crisis, and it's only going to get worse if we don't change the way we farm, shop and cat. Luckily, Sustenir co-founder and Beco Ventures founder Benjamin Swan has some high-tech ideas
Coco Marett
Friendly Green Giant

Can you imagine wanting a good salad so badly that you launch a multimillion‑dollar urban farming company and develop groundbreaking technology that not only yields quality produce but completely disrupts the farming industry?

Benjamin Swan did exactly that. What started as a mission to grow some delicious leafy greens became a rude awakening about the global food crisis, ultimately leading Swan to work “like a mad scientist” to develop high‑tech systems to replicate—and, eventually, even improve—nature’s growing processes.

It certainly helped that he is a trained engineer. Swan first moved to Singapore from Australia to lead the construction of the SkyPark at Marina Bay Sands (MBS). “Today, whenever we drive past MBS, my son calls it ‘Daddy’s boat’,” Swan says with a smile. He then joined Citibank, where he oversaw the construction of its regional offices to meet sustainability standards. He also designed its smart banking platform—it was his first foray into digitalisation, taking a process from analogue to digital, another skill that would later help him integrate the power of technology into the world of agriculture.

Accustomed to a wide range of local produce in his home country, Swan was frustrated with the quality of fruits and vegetables he found in local supermarkets in Singapore, which imports 90 per cent of its food, and that he “was paying a premium for substandard quality”. He says: “It was in 2012, while working at Citibank, that I saw a conceptual rendering of vertical farming by [American microbiologist] Dickson Despommier. Initially, I thought, ‘This is never going to work in Hong Kong or Singapore, where rent is so expensive.’”

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة April 2023 من Tatler Singapore.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة April 2023 من Tatler Singapore.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

المزيد من القصص من TATLER SINGAPORE مشاهدة الكل
Old-World CHARM
Tatler Singapore

Old-World CHARM

Professional photographer and content creator Zipeng Lee takes off to Switzerland to experience some of the country’s most storied heritage hotels

time-read
4 mins  |
October 2024
THE World ACCORDING TO Redzepi
Tatler Singapore

THE World ACCORDING TO Redzepi

Renowned Noma chef René Redzepi and executive producer Matt Goulding unpack Apple TV's new eight-part docuseries, Omnivore, and its exploration of humanity through food

time-read
5 mins  |
October 2024
COURAGE OF CONVICTION
Tatler Singapore

COURAGE OF CONVICTION

Tatler speaks to Bing Chen, Prabal Gurung and Kevin Lin to discuss how their non-profit Gold House is changing the future of the Asian diaspora

time-read
8 mins  |
October 2024
INDUSTRIALI
Tatler Singapore

INDUSTRIALI

Exploring the important sustainability efforts taking place beyond obvious industries

time-read
8 mins  |
October 2024
THE BALL'S INHER COURT
Tatler Singapore

THE BALL'S INHER COURT

China's most celebrated tennis star Li Na opens up about her career, influencing young athletes and her continuous learning journey

time-read
6 mins  |
October 2024
Love Story
Tatler Singapore

Love Story

Set in Paris, Graff's new bridal campaign marries the timelessness of love and diamonds

time-read
3 mins  |
October 2024
Over the Rainbow
Tatler Singapore

Over the Rainbow

The inspirations behind Hermés creative director for jewellery Pierre Hardy's latest and gorgeously colourful high jewellery collection surprise and delight

time-read
4 mins  |
October 2024
Twist and Turn
Tatler Singapore

Twist and Turn

Bvlgari's debut Tubogas jewellery collection reimagines a classic technique with 16 stunning creations

time-read
5 mins  |
October 2024
Game On
Tatler Singapore

Game On

From diamond‑set carabiner‑inspired clasps to a carbon fibre cuff, Chanel knocks it out of the park with Sport, an audacious and innovative high jewellery collection unlike any other

time-read
6 mins  |
October 2024
The Wrist Taker
Tatler Singapore

The Wrist Taker

Shipping scion and basketball team owner Hendi Widodo unlocks his vault of rarefied timepieces

time-read
3 mins  |
October 2024