Lip Kwok Wai/Sharon See Channel NewsAsia 29 May 10;
SINGAPORE : More than a year after D'Kranji Farm Resort opened its doors, the company is now facing a series of setbacks.
D'Kranji Farm Resort was designed to provide a farmland experience to holiday-makers, while nurturing a new generation of farmers.
The idea was to allow farmers to sell their own produce to tourists. But not for long.
The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) said the resort violated earlier agreements to keep land designated for F&B or retail uses to a maximum of 200 square metres.
In its reply to MediaCorp, URA said the resort's kiosks and structures for retail use are more than six times the agreed area. The 200 square metres had already been used up for restaurants and spas.
URA said it cannot accede to requests to increase this area as it would "compromise the existing rustic character."
Consequently, most of the farmers left half a year ago as they could not cope with rising costs.
Tourist arrivals also dwindled, and resort operator HLH Group Limited said it suffered losses of more than one million dollars to date.
Only three farming groups are left using the facilities now.
Some farmers are seeking legal avenues as they said the company had allowed them to sell their produce in their initial agreement.
However, with URA's restrictions on land use, D'Kranji said it will try to resolve the dispute through communication with the farmers.
With so few farmers left, Dr Johnny Ong, Executive Deputy Chairman of HLH Group, said the company may use part of its land for organic farming and an agriculture museum. - CNA/ms
