Written Answer by Ministry of National Development on reclamation of Lim Chu Kang farm land for military use
Jan 19, 2015
Er Dr Lee Bee Wah: To ask the Minister for National Development with regard to the reclaiming of Lim Chu Kang farm land for military use:-
(a) what impact will this have on our local agriculture industry;
(b) whether there will be sufficient land at the new sites for the farms;
(c) whether there is any sort of a guaranteed tenure for the farms as they will incur huge losses if they have to keep moving;
(d) what measures will be taken to engage farms and improve their expertise to increase productivity so that they may better utilise the Agriculture Productivity Fund.
Answer:
Given the land constraint in Singapore, we have to balance different land use needs such as housing, industry, transport infrastructure, defence, greenery and farming. We regularly review these needs to ensure optimal use for our people. The western part of Lim Chu Kang, which includes vacant land and some farm sites, will be needed for military training purposes, as the current military training land will be taken up for the development of Tengah New Town.
We are taking steps to minimise the impact on our local agriculture sector. First, AVA will tender new farm sites in Sungei Tengah and other parts of Lim Chu Kang. While the total area of the new farm sites will be smaller than that of the affected farms, the long-term impact on our local food production will likely be minimal if the right production technologies are adopted. AVA will delineate the sites so that they are of optimal size for farm production. Farmers who demonstrate consistently high productivity rates will be assessed favourably in their bids for the new farm sites. They will also have to continue to maintain good farm productivity in the new sites.
Second, following engagement and in response to feedback from farmers, the new farm sites will have a 10-year lease, longer than the current arrangement of ad-hoc, short-term lease extensions of 3 years. At the end of the 10-year period, if the land is not required for development and the farm meets the prevailing minimum production level and other prevailing criteria, AVA is prepared to extend their leases for another 10 years. The new lease model will better ensure productive use of the land for agriculture and provide the farmers with greater certainty.
Third, the 62 farms affected by the development of military training land have been given sufficient notice so that they can decide if they wish to continue farming by bidding for the new farm sites, or to make alternative plans. Farms whose leases or tenancies are expiring between 2014 to early 2017 will be given an extension till June 2017. Those expiring after June 2017 can remain until the end of their current leases, i.e. up to 2021.
Finally, AVA will continue to work with the farmers to help them raise their productivity. AVA has launched the $63 million Agriculture Productivity Fund in October 2014. The Fund helps our farmers raise their capabilities, and optimise their land through the use of appropriate farming equipment and productive systems. AVA has also organised study trips to countries such as Israel and the Netherlands for our farmers to learn best practices for greater productivity.