It was previously reported that Oh Chin Huat Hydroponic Farms is closing at the end of June, after being passed down via three generations.
Jane Lee, who runs salad shop Sumo Salad at Holland Village, had shared a poignant Facebook post on June 4 about the farm, and her supplier who is identified as Mr Ore.
Lee had written about Ore and the farm, and said that Ore had been troubled by the cost of reinstating the land, which has to be done before the land can be returned to the state.
The farm, which is located at the Nee Soon Agrotechnology Park at 14 Bah Soon Pah Road, is slated for residential development.
SLA responds
In response to Mothership.sg’s queries, a spokesperson for the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) said that the lease for the hydroponic farms will expire on Dec. 31, 2020.
Three years ago in 2017, SLA had informed them that the farm will be affected by the government's future redevelopment plans.
Last year, the farm was offered a one-year extension of their lease to Dec. 31, 2021,
Ore did not take up the extension.
The SLA and the Singapore Food Authority (SFA) have since been engaging Ore on the follow-up processes in returning the land to the state upon the expiry of the lease.
They revealed that they have met up with Ore on June 8 to render assistance, understanding his concerns on the reinstatement of the land, particularly during this Covid-19 period.
In a post by the farm's official Facebook page on June 10, the farm said that the SLA and SFA have agreed to relax some of the terms after they discussed ways to help the farm with the reinstatement costs.
SLA and SFA said they will follow up with another visit to the farm after that the farm has finalised their choice of contractor.
The farm will also extend the operation of its retail shop until the end of July.
Oh Chin Huat Hydroponic Farms at 14 Bah Soon Pah Road is located at the Nee Soon Agrotechnology Park and is slated for residential development.
The lease for the 2.4 ha hydroponic farms (equivalent to about four football fields) expires on 31 Dec 2020. In July 2017, SLA informed the lessee that the farm will be affected by the Government’s future redevelopment plans and the farm can continue its operation at the site on a one year extension via tenancy until 31 Dec 2021.
In mid last year, the one year extension was offered, but this was not taken up by Mr Ore.
Mr Ore had previously informed SLA that he will not be continuing the farm operation as he is retiring, and will return the site to the State upon lease expiry. Since then, SLA together with SFA, have been engaging Mr Ore on the follow-up processes for the return of the land.
SLA is aware of Mr Ore’s concerns on the reinstatement of the land, particularly during this Covid-19 period, and we have met Mr Ore on 8 June to render assistance.
Top image via Oh Chin Huat Hydroponic Farms' Facebook page