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I was disappointed to read about the collapse of I.F.F.I, which was said to be able to produce some 300 tonnes of leafy greens a year ( , May 26). There have also been reports of struggles faced by other vegetable farms in Singapore due to low productivity. As a one-time indoor experimental farmer in Singapore, I can appreciate the obstacles faced by vegetable farmers here. The success of a vegetable farm is based on the utter devotion and hard hands-on work of the individual farmer. He is the de facto chief executive officer (CEO), chief operating officer (COO) and chief financial officer (CFO). A small vegetable farm can make good money and help raise a family. However, all the small individual farms would have to cooperate with a wholesale marketing outlet such as FairPrice. In my farm, I observed that it was important that there should not be any non-shareholder worker. Small farms can take on student interns who wish to explore careers as vegetable farmers.