Farm in Yishun Closing Down for Authorities to ‘Build House’ But It’s Struggling to Pay $500K to Restore the Land

It’s easy to take farmers for granted.

After all, majority of the human population get their farmers’ goods through third parties like supermarkets and convenience stores, and thus lack a common understanding of what it truly entails to be a farmer, and the hard work it takes to sustain such a business.

But for individuals or businesses that procure their goods from the direct supplier themselves, it’s quite a different case. With actual interactions and conversations in between farmer and consumer, it’s easy to form a relation, and subsequently common understanding.

And so it’s understandable why Facebook user Jane Lee was so emotional in her post, where she raves about the hardworking owner of Oh Chin Huat Hydroponics Farms Pte Ltd and expresses how it’s so saddening to see the family business, which spans three generations…

Face imminent closure.

Farm in Yishun Closing Down for Authorities to ‘Build House’ But It’s Struggling to Pay $500K to Restore the Land

On Thursday (4 June 2020), Lee crafted an entire Facebook post dedicated to her farmer supplier and importer, Oh Chin Huat Hydroponic Farms Pte Ltd., and spoke at length of the owner, Oh, as well as the supplier’s imminent closure in the face of the Singapore Land Authority’s decision.

According to the Lee, the farmer supplier will be ceasing operations at the end of June, due to SLA’s decision to reclaim their land to “build houses”.

She added that though her business has been “poached by many suppliers over the years”, she never considered jumping ship because Oh “is a very down to earth businessman with high integrity”.

“Over the years, he has been keeping our veggies price low, top-notch service,” she wrote. “At times, we were short of veggies in the very last minute, he will deliver them personally so to meet our demand.”

Alas, however, the Circuit Breaker has taken its toll on the private farming business, particularly Oh. Apart from toiling day and night to meet the demands of panic-buying consumers, he also worried about the reinstatement cost that could purportedly cost up to half a million dollars.

(Lee explains that reinstatement refers to the clearing up of land and subsequent ‘returfing’ by replanting certain types of grass, so as to meet the requirements of the respective authorities. Different types of grass, she adds, have different grades, which in turn translate to differing prices.)

And though the owner has saved up a substantial sum to meet the government’s requirements, he did not have anywhere near half a million dollars.

“He simply can’t afford it,” Lee said. “He had many sleepless nights. I feel so so much for him, I told him I will help to write in to SLA for more feasible solutions.”

She also spoke of how she had jokingly suggested that the owner pack his bags and just leave, considering how it’s essentially a private business. But Oh refuted her remark, stating that he can die but he can’t afford to sully the reputation of his business.

”不可以啦，待会我公公来找我，我可以死，这个一传三代的名字可不能坏…” he said.

Lee then followed up with another post hours after the first one, detailing her privilege to have (probably) been the last visitor to tour the farming company.

You can view the respective Facebook posts down below:

Updates

After Lee’s post went viral, support and heartfelt messages began pouring in. These sincere comments were acknowledged in a third post, which includes a segment of appreciation by the farm owners themselves.

“We have been growing vegetables and herbs for our local community for more than 3 decades, and it is with a heavy heart that we announce the closure of our farm at the end of this month – 30 Jun 2020,” the farm management wrote.

“This decision is not a result of the current outbreak. In fact, we have received even more support during these last few months, as many realised that our nation needs locally grown produce in times of disasters and pandemics. Our current land lease has ended and there is no option for renewal because the government is taking back the land. It’s the end of an era for us but we are looking forward to some much needed rest.

“We are eternally grateful to our customers and business partners for your unwavering support. Even though our journey as a grower ends here, we hope you will continue to support local farmers because we need them. It’s backbreaking work. We will still be open from now till 30 Jun. For now, we’d like to leave you with a short documentary film about our farm.”

Lee states that she will render her help to Mr Oh, and help him to secure “reinstatement without re-turf”. She also writes that Mr Oh and his family have decided to move on, and will not continue the farming business anymore.

“Wish us luck and thanks once again for your time reading my post and all the best wishes for Mr. Oh,” she said.

A member of the farming business has also expressed her gratitude for all the heartfelt messages.

“The farm has received many supportive messages and comments since a customer posted her thoughts about our closure,” said Facebook user Huiying Ore, a member of the Oh family. “Thanks everyone for the love and support, we didn’t expect the reaction.”

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“For someone who grew up in a farm, always surrounded by family, taken less than 3 family holidays with my parents, complained when us kids were asked to ‘work’ there on weekends, ended up helping out at the farm in the past few years, experienced one relocation when I was too young to understand, and going through another one, I fully support the family’s decision to close down.

“My father loves to travel, now he can without worrying about work at the farm (well not yet cos of Covid but hopefully soon). Changes and adapting to them are part and parcel of life.

“We welcome you to drop by the farm to bid your farewell, will be great if you can show your appreciation to the friendly uncles and aunties there. At the same time, show the same support and love to all local farmers, everyone’s facing similar struggles. Let them know their hard work is treasured.

“The farm may not be around anymore, but our family’s legacy will live on in stories.”

You can view the Facebook posts down below:

Good luck in your endeavour, Mdm Lee and Mr Oh! And we hope that the Oh family will continue to prosper and grow for generations to come, even if the medium might not be farming anymore.

You got this!