Could government partnerships help traditional farms modernise instead of closing?

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Government partnerships could help traditional farms modernise, but the question remains open in Singapore.

Over 70 farms in Lim Chu Kang are facing lease termination, and the land will be taken over by the military for an army training ground after final extensions of seven to 14 months. The government says traditional open farm agriculture is not productive enough for a land-scarce and wealthy city-state, while new leases on alternative sites have often been described as too expensive and too short to be viable.
The land is being reallocated to defence use after short final extensions

The farms were given final lease extensions lasting between seven and 14 months before termination. After that period, the land will be used by the military as a training ground. Singapore already devotes a considerable share of its limited land to defence, while agriculture covers less than one per cent of the country, or under 10 square kilometres.
The government’s case is based on productivity and land scarcity

The stated view is that scarce land is better used for industries and defence because those sectors generate money and security. On that logic, traditional open farm systems are seen as less viable than intensive hi-tech farms that use hydroponics, advanced lighting and robotics to produce more food from a small area.
Many traditional farms have not found workable relocation options

A number of the farms losing their leases have not secured alternative sites. Where new land has been offered, farmers have said the leases are too expensive and too short to support long-term operations. That has left many businesses facing the loss of both their premises and their livelihoods.
Partnership, advisory help and subsidies are mentioned as possible models

The possibility of government partnership models is raised alongside advisors and subsidies for traditional farms. These are presented as alternative ways to keep farms viable without losing their natural features, but no detailed programme is set out. The emphasis remains on the fact that the government has favoured hi-tech farming proposals while traditional farms are being pushed off their current land.

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Could government partnerships help traditional farms modernise instead of closing?

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