The Knowledge to Decide

China is set to open a government-sponsored ‘cloning park’ in early 2016, with a goal to produce 100,000 cloned cattle annually. This is because Chinese farmers are not able to meet market demand for beef cattle. Clones ensure a reliable and regular supply. Interestingly, a report highlights the average calorie intake of a person has increased from 1,863 to 3,074 calories – with a major chunk coming from animal calories. China’s meat demand coincides with a tax recommended by U.K. researchers on meat to deal with rising demand along with health and environmental issues that are synonymous with meat consumption and production. Will cloned meat be able to meet rising market demand? https://www.spireresearch.com/newsroom/spirethoughts/china-opts-for-cloned-cow-meat/

Imagine running a farm – without any soil or use of a tractor. Hard to believe? A Boston-based startup, Freight Farms offers consumers’ high-tech hydroponic farms connected to the Cloud – built within a shipping container. Its vertical hydroponic growing towers have 90% less water consumption capability in comparison to a conventional soil-based farm. Moreover, one shipping container can yield produce equivalent on an acre of land. How does it work? An insulated container shell enables optimal environment for growth of produce. Sensors monitor and control the whole system. In addition, farmers can use their smart phones to check up on lighting, soil temperatures, moisture content, carbon-dioxide levels and other environmental variables to help grow herbs, lettuce and other green vegetables in water filled with nutrients. Can hydroponic farms replace conventional farming techniques? https://www.spireresearch.com/newsroom/spirethoughts/fancy-a-farm-in-a-box/

The Social Impact Innovation Challenge by Berbudi Berganda – driven by Agensi Inovasi Malaysia (National Innovation Agency) – brought together individuals across Malaysia to scout for innovative solutions for Malaysia’s social development. Carried out over a period of 10 weeks, 12 finalists were shortlisted out of 300 entries using selection criteria that spanned three parameters – innovation, cost-effectiveness and sustainability. Yap Far Loon, Business Development Director, Telecommunication of Spire Research and Consulting, was among the Challenge panelists interviewed on BFM 89.9 (The Business Radio Station) for the Live and Learn show. He shared his views on how to measure impact of social innovation. This Social Impact Innovation Challenge strives to turn innovative ideas into realities. To explain the impact of social innovation, Far Loon uses a simple demand-supply model. Supply here refers to the finalists. Demand refers to the beneficiaries, such as people with low-inco

Creating a more supportive environment for persons with disabilities (PWDs) was one of the key thrusts in Singapore’s Budget for 2014. Spire took a closer look at the issue of the employability of PWDs, embarking on a pro-bono study – telephonic interviews with 100 companies listed on the Singapore Exchange – to explore Singapore employers’ practices when it comes to hiring PWDs. The Spire study found that 20% of the surveyed companies expressed willingness to hire PWDs, but 18% would like to explore how they can do better on this front. In addition, 96% revealed that there were no concrete initiatives and policies in place to actively hire and integrate PWDs. This suggests that awareness and best practice knowledge was an inhibitor. As for the remaining 4%, they provided training to all employees, regardless of physical or mental disabilities, in the belief that this would ensure fair career progression and personal development opportunities for all. The survey responden

Indonesia’s aquaculture industry is ranked 4th globally in terms of production tons. Franklin Crum, Manager, Client Service of Spire Research and Consulting, shared his views on the future outlook for Indonesia’s aquaculture industry on MNC Business Channel – Economic Buzz. Crum commented that Indonesia’s water conditions have provided a favourable environment for wet aquaculture (otherwise known as fish farming); allowing a wide range of tropical fish species to breed. The aquaculture industry has shown great potential in Indonesia; contributing 1% towards its GDP. Indonesia is one of the leading Asian countries in this industry, alongside China, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, Republic of Korea, Japan and Bangladesh. The industry had registered a total revenue of USD 7 billion in 2012, seeing compound annual growth (CAGR) of 25.9% between 2008 and 2012. The figure is expected to grow to USD14.3 billion by 2017. Crum shared that the Indonesian government has allocate