Lim Chu Kang to be transformed into high-tech agri-food cluster

Victor Kang5 Oct 2020

The redevelopment of agriculture land in Lim Chu Kang allows us to uplift the local agri-food sector, and develop sustainable, highly productive and industry-leading farms of the future.

The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) will embark on a master plan to transform the Lim Chu Kang area into a “high-tech, highly productive and resource-efficient agri-food cluster”, said SFA in a release on 2 October.

It will undertake the master plan – which spans around 390ha of land – in consultation with stakeholders, with completion expected over the next two to three years.

SFA noted that development works will be carried out in phases, starting from 2024.

“We envision that the redeveloped Lim Chu Kang agri-food cluster will produce more than three times its current food production,” it said.

It revealed that an average vegetable farm in Singapore occupying about two hectares of land can produce around 130 tonnes/ha/year, while a high-tech vegetable farm with less than one hectare of land could produce more than 1,000 tonnes/ha/year.

Singapore has set a ’30 by 30’ goal, in which it targets to meet 30% of the city-state’s nutritional needs with locally produced food by 2030.

“Food security is existential for Singapore. We currently import more than 90% of our food supply, which makes us vulnerable to disruptions in global supply chains. The ongoing COVID-19 global pandemic has underscored the importance of ensuring that we have diversified sources and resilient food supply chains,” explained SFA.

“The redevelopment of agriculture land in Lim Chu Kang allows us to uplift the local agri-food sector, and develop sustainable, highly productive and industry-leading farms of the future.”

Suggested article: HDB Eco-Towns: Punggol and the Upcoming Tampines, Choa Chu Kang and Nee Soon

As part of the master plan exercise, the agency will look into the development of shared facilities to lower production costs and resource use, while putting in place electricity, water and transport infrastructure to support high-tech farming systems as well as attract a new generation of agri-tech skilled workers.

Although agri-food production will be the master plan’s key focus, relevant elements like education tours and farmers’ markets will also be considered.

Meanwhile, all farms in the Lim Chu Kang area will be able to stay until the end of their leases.

SFA said it will offer short term tenancy extension to 23 farms, whose leases will expire between 2020 and 2022, before it redevelops the land.

Three farms, whose leases will expire between 2026 and 2027, will be allowed to continue until the expiry of their leases.

“SFA and the National Parks Board (NParks) will work closely with these farms to support their transition plans,” said the release.

SFA also noted that the master plan “does not encroach into the Sungei Buloh Nature Park Network which includes Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve and Kranji Marshes”.

It added that an environmental study will be conducted by end-2020 to better understand the flora and fauna ecosystem within the area.

SFA will work with nature groups for the study, with the findings to be taken into consideration in the master plan.

Looking for a property in Singapore? Visit PropertyGuru’s ListingsProject Reviews and Guides.

Victor Kang, Digital Content Specialist at PropertyGuru, edited this story. To contact him about this or other stories, email victorkang@propertyguru.com.sg

POST COMMENT