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  Channel NewsAsia 15 Jan 07
Singapore's first agri-tainment farm will focus on corn and coffee
By Priyia Paramajothi

Channel NewsAsia 4 Jan 06
Farmers generally positive about Lim Chu Kang's agri-tainment development
By Song Kian Yong

Channel NewsAsia 29 Dec 06
SLA awards 3 land parcels in Lim Chu Kang for agri-tainment
By S Ramesh

Today Online 29 Dec 06
Two firms win farmland agri-tainment bids
Ansley Ng ansley@mediacorp.com.sg

TWO companies won bids to turn three plots of land in Lim Chu Kang into "agri-tainment" projects, possibly turning the area into a rustic countryside with farmstays, cafes and outdoor spas.

HLH Agri R&D won the bid for the largest land parcel--the size of six football fields--for $880,000, while Yoli Technologies won the bid for the remaining two plots of land, which is the size of three football fields, for a total of about $874,000, said the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) yesterday.

When it launched the tender in October, SLA said the land could be used for agriculture or "agri-tainment" like nature education, corporate training retreats or rustic guest accommodation.

Eleven companies and individuals put in 12 bids for the plots of land, and the highest offers won the sites. The plots of land have a total area of about 78,400 square metres and carry 20-year leases.

When contacted, a HLH spokeswoman declined to elaborate on its plans but said the company would focus on "agricultural research and development". Yoli Technologies executives could not be reached for comment.

Details of how the three parcels of land would be used would be revealed next month, said SLA.

Wah Khiaw Developments, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Papageno Gourmet Centre, was the highest bidder, offering $1.73 million to develop the largest plot of land. But it later withdrew its bid due to a "change in business plan", said SLA. The land was then awarded to HLH, which had the second highest bid.

Praising the bidders, SLA's deputy director of land sales Teo Jing Kok said: "These entrepreneurs are willing to get out of their comfort zones and try something new and different to help make Singapore a better and more exciting place to live, work and play in."

Channel NewsAsia 29 Dec 06
SLA awards 3 land parcels in Lim Chu Kang for agri-tainment
By S Ramesh

SINGAPORE: Singapore's all set to have its first agri-tainment areas with farm stays, outdoor recreation in the wild and even an outdoor spa in rustic Lim Chu Kang.

Three land parcels--the size of nine soccer fields--have been awarded for use as agriculture cum recreation and entertainment.

The Singapore Land Authority has awarded the contracts for the 20-year land leases to two companies.

HLH Agri R&D won the bid at S$880,000 for the biggest land parcel, which at 50,000 square metres, is about the size of six soccer fields. Yoli Technologies secured the contract for two other plots at S$875,000. Together, the size of these two plots is nearly 28,000 square metres.

SLA says a total of 12 bids were received, eight for agri-tainment uses and four for agriculture uses.

The planning intention is to capitalise on Lim Chu Kang's existing rural character and the nature areas to further enhance its rustic appeal for more Singaporeans to appreciate the place as a recreational destination.

The allowable uses for agri-tainment are restricted to those which are compatible with the rustic character of the area--for example, outdoor recreational activities.

SLA also commends the awardees for taking the bold initiatives to turn Lim Chu Kang into a rustic recreational hinterland. SLA's Deputy Director of Land Sales, Mr Teo Jing Kok, said: "We are pleased to award the sites. Firstly, SLA would like to applaud the efforts and the visions of all the entrepreneurs that tendered for the three sites. These entrepreneurs are willing to get out of their comfort zones and try out something new and different to help make Singapore a better and more exciting place to live, work and play in.

"SLA will continue to work closely with the awardees and other tenderers, existing farmers and other government agencies to formulate win-win strategies for subsequent land sales of agri-tainment and agricultural sites.

"Secondly, we thank the awardees for their support for the land sales and, more importantly, for taking the bold initiatives to turn Lim Chu Kang into a rustic recreational hinterland." - CNA/so

Channel NewsAsia 4 Jan 06
Farmers generally positive about Lim Chu Kang's agri-tainment development
By Song Kian Yong

SINGAPORE: Two companies recently won the tender for agri-tainment development in the Lim Chu Kang area which is now set for a facelift. For some farmers plying their trade in Lim Chu Kang, the move to promote agri-tainment is welcomed.

Mr Gan Kian Leng, Director, Gan Aquarium, says: "I think this will bring more customers to us so this is a good thing." Mr Kenny Eng, Director, Gardenasia Pte Ltd, says: "This kind of publicity and assurance by different investors and different farms or new-age farmers will boost up confidence in this whole zone."

However, concerns were also raised with regards to the impact the project might have on existing farms in Lim Chu Kang.

"If the interests of real farmers like the vegetable farmers or the fish farmers are not protected, they will be really affected."

Others in the area were worried about how the project might affect the area's natural setting. Mrs Ivy Singh-Lim, owner of Bollywood Veggies Pte Ltd, says: "We don't want another resort here out in the countryside. We don't think we want spas out here, you know, we want this place to be very very homey, really back to nature."

The Singapore Land Authority says details of the development plans will be released to the public in late January. - CNA/so

Channel NewsAsia 15 Jan 07
Singapore's first agri-tainment farm will focus on corn and coffee
By Priyia Paramajothi

SINGAPORE : Two food crops, corn and coffee, will be the focus of Singapore's first agri-tainment farm at Lim Chu Kang.

This was announced by developer PDC Corp, which recently won the bid for the 50,900 square metre site. The land parcel has been awarded for agriculture-cum-recreation and entertainment purposes.

Apart from chalets and F&B outlets, PDC plans to build an Agri Academy and R&D centre there. Corn will take centrestage at PDC's new farm stay at Lim Chu Kang. Visitors can learn how hybrid corn is developed and grown at the Agri Academy and R&D Centre. The results of this research will be used to expand PDC's business in Indonesia.

The company is planning to invest US$50 million over 18 months in a 40,000 hectare piece of land in North Sumatra for cultivation. And it plans to grow the new strains of hybrid corn developed in Singapore there. The money will be disbursed over 18 months, starting from the second quarter of FY07.

Veronica Gan, Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer, PDC Corp, said: "We see high potential for agribusiness, especially for corn because based on the studies we have done, the demand for corn is much higher than the present supply." The corn will be used mainly for animal feed and mostly sold in Indonesia, but PDC also plans to sell corn to biofuel producers. Ms Gan said: "Later we hope to market and promote our own hybrid corn seeds."

Other than corn, the agri-tainment site will also be nurturing coffee beans in the near future. PDC is tying up with instant beverage maker Super Coffee Mix to set up a coffee and coffee-related R&D and education centre at the site. Under an MOU, PDC will also cultivate and grow coffee plants on its plantation in North Sumatra. The beans will be bought by Super Coffee at a discount to the prevailing commodity price. An estimated 20 percent of the land there will be used to grow coffee and 80 percent for corn.

Development of the Lim Chu Kang agri-tainment site will start this year, and is expected to be ready by mid-2008. PDC said the farm was part of its strategy to diversify into new growth areas, but its core business remains in property development and construction.

On Monday, it announced plans to develop a 14-storey building at Playfair Road for light industrial and commercial use. The freehold property sits on a land area of over 17,000 square feet and will be used for light industrial activities and commercial offices. Construction is expected to be completed by the first half of 2008. - CNA/ch
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