A change in land use was announced which will concentrate food farms closer to and 'wrapping around' Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve. There are currently no food farms in this area, which previously was designated for military use and thus served as a buffer to the nature spaces in the Reserve.
When will this happen? When will this happen? Affected farms will be allowed to remain on site until their land tenures expire, ranging from 2026 to the mid-2030s.
Seng Choon egg farm to move after land-use changes announced for Lim Chu Kang; four other farms affected
The lease for Seng Choon Farm, one of the three egg farms in Singapore, will expire in 2036 and it is working on finding a new site to move into before that.
Natasha Ganesan Channel NewsAsia 25 May 2026 05:00PM
SINGAPORE: Seng Choon egg farm will move out of its current premises after the government announced on Monday (May 25) land-use changes in Lim Chu Kang.
Besides Seng Choon, four other farms are also affected by the changes.
The Singapore Food Agency (SFA), Ministry of Defence (MINDEF), National Parks Board (NParks) and the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) said in a joint media release on Monday that to optimise land use, the land to the north of Lim Chu Kang that is currently designated for defence will be reallocated for future agricultural developments.
The southern part of Lim Chu Kang, where the five farms are, will be repurposed for defence uses.
"The land-use changes will allow the government to explore how the physical co-location of food and non-food farms to the north of Lim Chu Kang could benefit from shared facilities and integrated infrastructure planning for more efficient operations, better logistics and to lower production costs," the authorities said.
"In addition, the land-use changes will result in contiguous land that will better serve defence uses."
Seng Choon egg farm's managing director Koh Yeow Koon told CNA it is working with the authorities on finding a new site. Its lease expires in 2036.
At present, there are no food farms in the north of Lim Chu Kang. SFA said the land-use changes will progressively commence after the farms' licence tenures expire.
AFFECTED FARMS
Apart from Seng Choon Farm, other affected farms are Bollywood Farms, Gan Aquarium, Gallop Kranji Farm Resort and Malaysian Feedmills Farms.
Bollywood Farms and Gan Aquarium have leases expiring in December 2026, while Gallop Kranji Farm Resort's lease expires in March 2027. The lease of Malaysian Feedmills Farms ends in 2037.
All affected farms were informed early for clarity and to give them sufficient lead time to plan their business and operations, said the authorities in response to CNA's queries.
The three farms with leases/tenancies expiring in December 2026 and March 2027 were notified since 2020 that no further lease renewals would be granted, they added.
"The remaining two farms with leases expiring in 2036 and 2037 have also been provided with at least 10 years’ advance notice ahead of their lease expiry."
CNA has asked SFA if Seng Choon and Malaysian Feedmills Farms would be given lease extensions if requested.
Seng Choon is one of three egg farms in Singapore. SFA said it is working closely with the farm to support its operations and minimise disruptions, and to safeguard the supply of locally produced eggs and Singapore's "broader food security".
Mr Koh said the farm would complete its lease in September 2036 and is working with the relevant authorities for a new farm site to move into.
"Starting with a blank slate will allow us to integrate the latest technologies, innovation, and sustainability initiatives into the future of our farm," he added.
Singapore’s three egg farms produced 736.7 million eggs in 2025, down from 773.5 million the year before.
According to its website, Seng Choon Farm moved into its current 36-acre farm site in the agricultural estate of the Lim Chu Kang Agrotechnology Park in 2010 from its former premises at Sungei Tengah Road. The farm produces more than 200 million eggs annually.
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Bollywood Farms is operating on a site that was originally awarded through a public tender for a 20-year lease that expired in 2021.
Following the lease expiry and at Bollywood Farms' request, the government granted it short-term tenancy extensions on a "goodwill basis to facilitate its transition".
The first extension granted was from Apr 15, 2021, to Dec 31, 2023, and a second extension granted was from Jan 1, 2024, to Dec 31, 2026.
"Such requests for extension are considered carefully on a case-by-case basis, taking into account factors such as land use plans, operational considerations, and the lessee’s transition plans. In this case, the extensions granted were intended to facilitate the farm’s transition," said SFA.
"Bollywood Farm has since requested ... a further tenancy extension and we are considering the request carefully."
Affected farms may continue to remain onsite until their tenures expire, after which the land will be returned to the government for consolidation. There will be no early termination of leases, said the authorities.
Farms that wish to continue operations can participate in SFA's annual Singapore Agri-space Sales programme, where agricultural land and sea spaces are released through open tenders.
Non-food farms such as plant nurseries can opt for NParks' land tenders.
"The government is engaging and working closely with affected farms to support a smooth transition and ensure continuity of local agriculture uses," the authorities said.
SFA added that the impact on affected farms is "not expected to have a material effect" on Singapore's overall food supply, and that the 2035 local production targets have taken into consideration the long-term land use and transition plans in Lim Chu Kang.
The government revised its food production goals in November 2025, with new targets being for local farms to supply 20 per cent of the local consumption of fibre and 30 per cent of the local consumption of protein by 2035.
The land use changes are also part of the Lim Chu Kang Masterplan, which seeks to optimise the limited land area for food production and at the same time, transform Lim Chu Kang into an agri-food zone.
"The land use changes are part of this planning process. Given the scale and complexity of the development, the implementation will be phased over time and need to be carefully assessed," said SFA.
SFA will also be embarking on a technical and feasibility study for a multi-tenanted facility to test-bed new ideas that can be applied in Lim Chu Kang.
"As a small island nation, Singapore's limited land requires careful planning to meet national needs, including housing, national defence, jobs, infrastructure and food production," said the authorities.
"Strategic land use changes are necessary to optimise our scarce land resources to meet evolving national needs and ensure Singapore's continued growth and development."
DEFENCE USE
MINDEF said in response to CNA's queries that the land-use change has increased the terrain capacity for military training.
"This will enhance training realism, support combined arms training across a wider range of training scenarios, and improve contiguity for platform operations – resulting in more effective training and operational readiness," it added.
Beyond that, Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) camps in the area are not affected.
The defence ministry began the process of taking over the land parcels in the north of Lim Chu Kang in late 2025, as they were earmarked for defence use.
"As we facilitate this change in land use, we will work with SFA and relevant agencies to handover the land parcels in the Lim Chu Kang north and take over the land parcels in Lim Chu Kang south when the farm leases expire," it said.
The ministry will start repurposing the land at Lim Chu Kang south after it takes over. This will be done in phases, following the end of the leases or tenancy of the farms in the area, it said.
Farmland south of Lim Chu Kang to be zoned for defence, land further north to be used for agriculture
Shabana Begum Straits Times May 25, 2026, 05:00 PM
SINGAPORE - Agricultural land south of Lim Chu Kang will be zoned for defence use in the near future, and military land in the north, closer to other farms, will be reallocated for future farming use.
Concentrating farmland in the north of the area will advance development of an agri-food hub that has faced delays since it was announced in 2020 under the Lim Chu Kang masterplan.
The land-use changes were announced on May 25 by the Singapore Food Agency (SFA), the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF), the National Parks Board and the Singapore Land Authority.
“(This) will allow the Government to explore how the physical co-location of food and non-food farms to the north of Lim Chu Kang could benefit from shared facilities and integrated infrastructure planning for more efficient operations, better logistics and to lower production costs,” the organisations said.
Affected farms in the south may continue to remain on site until their land tenures expire, after which the land will be returned for consolidation for military use. The tenure expiry dates range from 2026 to the mid-2030s.
Five farm leaseholders currently occupy the southern plots in Neo Tiew Lane and Neo Tiew Road: Seng Choon Farm, Bollywood Farms, Gan Aquarium Fish Farm, Gallop Kranji Farm Resort and Malaysian Feedmills Farms, which has multiple agricultural tenants on its plot.
The government agencies added that there will be no early termination of leases.
Affected farms that wish to continue operations when the re-zoning takes effect have to bid for agricultural land, as it is not guaranteed they will be relocated to the northern plot.
The government agencies said Singapore’s 2035 local production targets – which include producing 20 per cent of the country’s consumed fibre by that date – have taken into account the land use and transition plans in Lim Chu Kang.
“The impact on affected farms is not expected to have a material effect to our overall food supply,” they added.
The leases for Bollywood Farms and Gan Aquarium will expire in December 2026, and Gallop Kranji Farm Resort’s lease will expire in March 2027.
They were notified since 2020 that no further tenure renewals would be granted, said SFA.
The leases for Seng Choon – one of three egg farms in the country – and Malaysian Feedmills Farms will expire in 2036 and 2037 respectively, and they were given at least 10 years’ notice ahead of their lease expiry.
“All affected farms had been informed early, to provide clarity and enable them to have sufficient lead time for business and operational planning,” added the agencies.
SFA added that it is working closely with the egg farm to support its operations and minimise disruptions to safeguard the supply of locally produced eggs and Singapore’s broader food security.
Local egg farms’ productivity has been more consistent than those of aquaculture and high-tech vegetable farms.
Seng Choon managing director Koh Yeow Koon said the egg farm was hoping to stay on in Neo Tiew Road beyond 2036 to make the best use of its investments in the latest farming technologies.
“With the lease decay, these investments would become harder to make. We are disappointed that the lease could not be extended,” he added. The farm is currently working with the authorities to find a future site.
While Bollywood Farms’ 20-year lease expired in 2021, the Government granted two short-term tenancy extensions “on a goodwill basis to facilitate its transition”.
The latest extension expires on Dec 31, 2026.
“Bollywood Farms has since requested a further tenancy extension and we are considering the request carefully,” added SFA.
The organisations said the changes in land use announced on May 25 are part of the planning process for the Lim Chu Kang masterplan.
In 2020, SFA said about 390ha of land in the area, which stretches from near Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve to the south of Lim Chu Kang, will come under a masterplan to create a “high-tech, highly productive and resource-efficient agri-food cluster”.
It was later reported in 2024 that developmental work for the masterplan, which was to begin that year, was delayed.
With more land zoned for agriculture in the north, it is unclear how the masterplan’s profile will change.
“SFA is advancing the Lim Chu Kang masterplan through interagency planning and assessment on land use optimisation, infrastructure needs and environmental considerations, including coastal protection,” said the organisations.
The masterplan will also study infrastructure requirements for non-food farms such as ornamental fish farms and nurseries.
To test new ideas that could be applied under the masterplan, SFA will be embarking on a technical and feasibility study on a multi-tenant facility where multiple types of farms can operate under one roof and share resources, which can help reduce their production costs.
The agency is conducting market-sensing and technical studies to evaluate which concepts and ideas should be pursued.
Gallop Kranji Farm Resort’s deputy director Mani Shanker was hoping that the lease could be renewed until 2030 at least, and is currently evaluating the resort’s future plans after 2027.
“We remain open to exploring possible opportunities, including participating in future tenders if suitable options arise, or assessing alternative locations depending on feasibility and operational considerations,” said Mrs Shanker.
“Relocating a resort and recreational facility is definitely not an easy process. There are significant investment and reinstatement costs involved, as well as the challenge of rebuilding infrastructure, customer base and business continuity at a new site,” she added.
MINDEF began the process of taking over the land parcels in the northern plot in Lim Chu Kang Lane in late 2025.
Converting the southern plot for military use ensures contiguous land that will better serve defence uses, said the agencies.
Tengah Air Base and Murai Camp are located nearby.
“The change in land use also increases the terrain capacity for MINDEF and the Singapore Armed Forces’ training,” added MINDEF.
“This will enhance training realism, support combined arms training across a wider range of training scenarios, and improve contiguity for platform operations – resulting in more effective training and operational readiness.”
Government to implement land-use change in Lim Chu Kang
Joint media release 25 May 2026
The Government will be implementing land-use changes in Lim Chu Kang. These changes arise from ongoing reviews of land use to meet Singapore’s evolving needs. To better optimise land use, the land to the north of Lim Chu Kang that is currently designated for defence will be reallocated for future agricultural developments, while the southern part of Lim Chu Kang will be repurposed for defence uses.
Benefits of Consolidating Land Uses
2 As a small island nation, Singapore's limited land requires careful planning to meet national needs including housing, national defence, jobs, infrastructure, and food production. Strategic land use changes are necessary to optimise our scarce land resources to meet evolving national needs and ensure Singapore’s continued growth and development.
3 Growing food locally remains an important pillar of our Singapore Food Story 2, complementing the other pillars of diversifying import, stockpiling, and global partnerships to ensure overall food resilience.
4 The land-use changes will allow the government to explore how the physical co-location of food and non-food farms to the north of Lim Chu Kang could benefit from shared facilities and integrated infrastructure planning for more efficient operations, better logistics and to lower production costs. In addition, the land-use changes will result in contiguous land that will better serve defence uses.
Supporting Affected Farms
5 Five farm site lessees will be affected by the land-use changes. The leases of two farms will expire in the mid-2030s. The leases/tenancies of the remaining three farms will expire in December 2026 and March 2027, and agencies have notified them since 2020 that no further lease renewals would be granted. A map of the affected farm plots and an indicative location of proposed agriculture area to the north of Lim Chu Kang is provided in ANNEX.
6 Affected farms may continue to remain onsite until the expiry of their tenures, after which the land will be returned for consolidation. There will be no early termination of leases. Farms that wish to continue operations have the option of participating in Singapore Food Agency (SFA)’s annual Singapore Agri-space Sales (SAS) programme or the National Parks Board (NParks)’ land tenders.
7 The Government is engaging and working closely with affected farms to support a smooth transition and ensure continuity of local agriculture uses.
ANNEX: Map of the affected farm plots and indicative areas for proposed agriculture areas
Issued by Singapore Food Agency, Ministry of Defence, National Parks Board, Singapore Land Authority
25 May 2026
Three farms affected by Lim Chu Kang land-use changes seek lease extensions as expiry dates draw near
Two farm owners questioned why they have to leave within the next year, when two other farms will still be operating in the same area for at least another 10 years.
Natasha Ganesan Channel NewsAsia 01 Jun 2026 06:00AM
SINGAPORE: With less than a year to go until their leases expire, three farms in Lim Chu Kang are fighting for a chance to extend their tenures and hold on to their land.
These farms – Bollywood Farms, Gan Aquarium and Gallop Kranji Farm Resort – are hoping that their leases can be extended for at least three more years to keep running the businesses they poured decades of work into.
"I know the authorities have given enough time, we understand all that," said Gallop Kranji Farm Resort founder Mani Shanker.
"But what we're merely asking is … from the time our lease finishes to the time of the cut-off point that they have to hand over the land, I think this space is something that they should look at allowing us to continue," he added.
"I think everybody in the farm will also agree that this little extension plays a very, very important part for us."
The three farms are currently situated in the southern part of Lim Chu Kang, which will undergo land-use changes, the government announced last Monday (May 25).
The government will repurpose the southern part of Lim Chu Kang for defence uses, while the land to the north of Lim Chu Kang that is currently designated for defence will be reallocated for future agricultural developments.
Bollywood Farms and Gan Aquarium have leases until December 2026, while Gallop Kranji Farm Resort has a lease until March 2027.
Another two farms are also affected: Seng Choon egg farm and Malaysian Feedmills Farms. But these have a longer runway, with leases expiring in 2036 and 2037, respectively, allowing them to continue operating for at least another 10 years.
Authorities said on Monday that all affected farms were informed early for clarity and to give them sufficient lead time to plan their business and operations.
The Singapore Food Agency (SFA), one of the authorities involved in the land-use changes, noted that the three farms with leases/tenancies expiring over the next year were notified since 2020 that no further lease renewals would be granted.
At least two of those farms questioned the need to move out within the next year, given that Seng Choon and Malaysian Feedmills Farms would still be operating in the same area for at least a decade.
At present, there are no food farms in the north of Lim Chu Kang.
LEASE EXTENSIONS
Mrs Ivy Singh-Lim, who owns Bollywood Farms with her husband, is appealing for a three-year extension of the lease on the land at 100 Neo Tiew Road, which also serves as their home.
The site was originally awarded through a public tender for a 20-year lease that expired in 2021.
Following the lease expiry and at Bollywood Farms' request, the government granted it two short-term tenancy extensions - from 2021 to 2023 and 2024 to 2026 - on a "goodwill basis” to facilitate its transition.
But Mrs Singh-Lim told CNA she has requested a further tenancy extension as she does not want to leave her house that has been adapted to suit the needs of her husband, who is wheelchair-bound.
"You look at this house, he can roll around to the front, he can roll to the bedroom. We built a special toilet, he can roll himself to the toilet," Mrs Singh-Lim said.
"The reason I'm appealing for an extension is so that I can live here for another three years. I'll be 80 years old, my husband will be 86 years old, and he's been in a wheelchair for many years.
"So by that time, I think we're ready to move into a retirement home," she said, adding that she has already arranged to relocate to one such place run by a friend.
"We don't have to look for another interim place before we retire to a retirement home."
She is confident that she will get an extension, adding that she has written to her Member of Parliament Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim.
Mrs Singh-Lim told CNA that she will not be moving out until she gets a clear answer on what her land will be used for.
"I don't know what they want to take it back for now. I believe it's for the Ministry of Defence but what is the defence ministry going to do here?" she asked.
"If you don't give me a straightforward answer, I'm not moving. I've told them already, if they really need it for something really serious, I will move," she said.
Asked what she will do if the extension is not granted, she said: "I have no plans. I'm just not going to move out."
Aside from growing vegetables, the farm also hosts educational events for students.
It is a chance for them to experience the countryside, she said. "So I think our government has got to be careful about how many farms they close down," she added.
In response to CNA's queries, SFA said it has received Bollywood Farms' request for a further tenancy extension and is considering the request carefully.
Gallop Kranji Farm Resort's Mr Shanker also pointed to his property being a place for people in Singapore to get away from the city and to get a taste of village life.
It is a resort that combines farmland, with more than 30 tenants, including herb and bird farm owners.
"Singapore needs something like that, a place where kids can understand nature, kids can get closer to animals," said Mr Shanker.
The site Gallop Kranji Farm Resort occupies has a 20-year lease period that will end in March next year. Mr Shanker is hoping the lease can be extended until 2030 at least, before the land is taken over.
"It will be good for the authorities to understand that this is also very important for us to extend to the maximum until you want to take back the land. Don't take it back early and keep it empty," he said.
"Those few years can also be very critical for us to do some business, or give the opportunity for Singaporeans to enjoy what has been set up. Rather than you take it back, and then you keep it empty for three more years," he added.
"(It's) not so much about business, but for the people to enjoy the opportunity for such a place, because it's going to be gone. I don't think we can emulate a place like that anymore, honestly," he said.
Mr Gan Kian Leng, who has been single-handedly running Gan Aquarium for 26 years, was similarly concerned that his land would be left unused before it is officially taken over by the government.
His lease, which is also for 20 years, will expire this December. But he questioned the need to move this year, given that Seng Choon and Malaysian Feedmills Farms will still be operating for at least another 10 years.
"Since Seng Choon (has) another 10 years … why don't let us all carry on?
"We can carry on our business, I can also produce something different," said Mr Gan, who lives on the farm with his elderly parents.
The 72-year-old farm owner breeds red Arowana and Soon Hock fish, or Marble Goby, which he has dedicated years of work to. He said it took him six years to grow and successfully breed his Arowana fish.
He started experimenting with Marble Goby three years ago and was just about to see the results of his work. He believes what he does is important and adds value to Singapore's freshwater fish species.
"I want to do something for the country, for the government. But they don't appreciate me, I cannot say anything," he added.
If no extension is granted, he said he may be forced to close his business.
Authorities said the land-use changes will allow them to explore how the physical co-location of food and non-food farms to the north of Lim Chu Kang could benefit from shared facilities and integrated infrastructure planning.
In response to CNA’s queries, SFA said any requests for further extensions beyond lease or tenancy expiry will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
It will take into account factors such as broader land-use plans, operational considerations and the lessee’s or tenant’s transition plans.
In response to queries on farm owners having to move out earlier, it added: "The different timelines for the phasing out of farms are based on their existing leases and tenancies.
“Redevelopment works have been planned based on these timelines."
The Ministry of Defence said agencies will proceed with the necessary reinstatement works as early as 2030, once sites are returned at the end of the farms' lease or tenancy.
"Any development at the vacated farms shall only take place after reinstatement works and feasibility studies have been completed. This is expected to take place from the 2030s," it added.
Farms that wish to continue operations can participate in SFA's annual Singapore Agri-space Sales programme, where agricultural land and sea spaces are released through open tenders.
Food farms relocating to a new site can apply for the Agri-food Cluster Transformation Fund, which provides co-funding for local farms to adopt farming technologies and upgrade their capabilities. Those who require additional help can contact their account manager in SFA for assistance.
Non-food farms can opt for the National Parks Board's land tenders and tap on the Landscape and Animal Sector Productivity Grant to defray the cost of buying equipment.
LONGER LEASES
The highest profile farm affected by the land-use changes is Seng Choon, one of Singapore's three egg farms. Its lease expires in September 2036, and it is making plans after the news broke on Monday.
"While we were saddened by the situation, we are also excited about this new phase of growth for Seng Choon," said managing director Koh Yeow Koon.
Seng Choon will continue operating at its current site until the end of its tenure, while also working closely with the relevant authorities to secure a new site – ideally at least five years before the lease expires, Mr Koh told CNA.
This will allow sufficient time to ensure a smooth transition, and he does not expect disruptions to operations or egg supply.
He added that the farm had previously discussed with SFA the possibility of extending its lease beyond 2036. The farm has invested about S$3 million (US$2.3 million) over the past three years in artificial intelligence and automation to improve the efficiency of its quality control processes and reduce the physical workload on senior workers.
"While we had hoped for the opportunity to continue at our current site, we appreciate the government’s early notice, which provides us with valuable time to plan ahead in a thoughtful and responsible manner," Mr Koh said.
"Although we have strong emotional and operational ties to this site, we see this transition as an opportunity to design and build an even more advanced and future-ready Seng Choon."
Having a new facility will allow the farm to better integrate emerging technologies such as solar photovoltaics, which convert sunlight into electricity.
The future farm layout will also be built to support advanced AI systems and robotics for greater efficiency, sustainability and long-term growth, said Mr Koh.
"Our shared priority is to ensure continuity for both our customers and our 130 employees throughout this transition," he added.
Mr Koh said the farm appreciates any available government grants that can support its transition and the strong support extended to local farms like itself.
"Given the significant costs involved in relocating and rebuilding our operations, we also look forward to continued partnership and support from the government as we move into this next phase of growth."
Meanwhile, Malaysian Feedmills Farms has no plans at the moment, given that its lease expires in 2037, managing director Saw Chau Hian told CNA. He bought the 13ha land in the late 1980s and rented out plots to tenants.
Today, there are more than 10 farms occupying the land.
Mr Saw, 80, used to do egg farming but stopped about 10 years ago. Now, he focuses his time on a food waste recycling endeavour, where he collects food waste materials with high protein and converts them into fish feed.
"I'm already 80 … quite old already," he said when asked why he had no plans beyond 2037.
Instead, he will use the next 11 years to continue recycling food waste.
"It's a very high-cost hobby," Mr Saw said. "But I think it's very meaningful for society. It can cut costs a lot, maybe cut about half of the cost of feed," he said, adding that less waste is also incinerated.
Mr Aaron Sim, owner of Imperial Arowana Breeding Farm, which occupies a plot at Malaysian Feedmills Farms, was unfazed about the lease expiry.
But the 44-year-old acknowledged there will be challenges in finding a new place because it needs to be big enough for Arowana fish breeding. "It's not just putting in two fish in … it is like humans," said Mr Sim.
"They need to find their own partners, they need to date, and then they pair up. Only then do they start the nest, and then they start laying the eggs. With respect to that, space is an issue."
"It's an impact to us in terms of cost. It's not cheap to maintain a farm," he added.
He plans to continue his operations at the current location until the lease expires, while keeping a lookout for new spaces.
But he is not expecting any extensions, stating that the lease periods are already laid out up front in contracts.
"Lease is up means lease is up. If they give us a lease extension, that's a bonus. It's not something that must be given," said Mr Sim.
Source: CNA/ng(mi)
