SINGAPORE - A total of 62 farms in Lim Chu Kang will have to move out between 2017 and 2021 after their leases expire, to make way for army training grounds.
The affected farms, ranging from vegetable plots to frog breeders, were told of the decision by the Singapore Land Authority in September.
The site will be used as army training grounds in place of the land the Defence Ministry is giving up for the development of Tengah New Town.
The farm owners said they have yet to be given details of exactly where they will move to.
Here's a look at who are the farmers in Lim Chu Kang:
1. $63m fund, new criteria for farming
Mr Jack Ng, 51, chief executive of urban farm Sky Greens, with trays of vegetables that are grown stacked inside A-shaped frames. Local farmers applying for new leases and extensions must now meet minimum production levels and land use conditions. -- ST PHOTO: JAMIE KOH
This article was first published Aug 26, 2014
LOCAL farmers applying for new leases and extensions must now meet minimum production levels and land use conditions.
The Ministry of National Development announced yesterday that all land-based farms must use at least 90 per cent of their land for production and meet minimum output levels.
These conditions will also apply to non-food farms, such as those which produce ornamental fish and orchids.
Landscape nurseries will also have to meet new productivity targets and land use requirements. And to help the farmers' productivity efforts, the Government has pledged a $63 million Agriculture Productivity Fund.
Read more here
2. The accidental organic farmer
Mr Ang Soon Chua (right) was sold the organic dream by his partner, Mr Zhang Aimin (left). Their 5ha farm in Lim Chu Kang produces about 100kg of vegetables a day, distributed to about 10 organic specialty shops or market stalls islandwide. -- ST PHOTO: ONG WEE JIN
This article was first published April 13, 2014
Down windy Lim Chu Kang Lane 6, where mangy dogs roam, is New Sky&Land Organic Agriculture.
It stands apart from neighbouring farms and nurseries, barricaded by a 2m-tall wall to keep out any stray squirts of insecticide.
It has rows of greenhouses, about 140 in total, each costing about $4,000, built of galvanised pipes and nylon mesh. Inside, impeccably neat rows of Chinese cabbage, chillies and long beans grow in raised concrete planters, to avoid contaminants from the ground. Each time a farm hand enters or exits a greenhouse, a brick is carefully laid over the mesh flap to keep insects out.
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3. Frog fallopian tubes, anyone? Business booming at Singapore's only frog farm
Miss Chelsea Wan's passion for the business has never waned. Last year, the 29-year-old Jurong Frog Farm manager developed bottles of ready-to-eat hashima - the amphibians' fallopian tubes which are a delicacy - and she is now working on a low-sugar version. -- ST PHOTO: NURIA LING
This article was first published June 9, 2013
Frogs' legs are one thing, but how about slurping down the amphibians' fallopian tubes?
Many diners are happy to do just that - helping to boost sales at Singapore's only frog farm.
Called hashima, the delicacy is well known here, but some may not be aware which part of the animal it comes from.
And while it is traditionally imported from China, the home-grown version is enjoying a boom in popularity, spawned by growing numbers of restaurants and Chinese medicine halls choosing to go local.
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4. Rural romp
Bean sprouts (above), wheatgrass and cacti are among the produce at Kin Yan Agrotech farm at 220 Neo Tiew Crescent in Kranji. -- ST PHOTO: JOSEPH NAIR
This article was first published Jan 18, 2013
Singapore's bustling city vibe has its flipside - tours of Kranji in the north reveal a rustic world of farms, where the sounds are of excited children fishing and the odd bleating goat.
The Kranji area is part of the Lim Chu Kang Agrotechnology Park which, Singaporeans might be surprised to know, has a total of 118 farms that take up about 400ha of land.
More than 10 of the farms are open to the public and offer activities such as tours, pond fishing and crafting classes, so urbanites can enjoy the country life.
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