THE BOLLYWOOD STORY

“It will be too late when people realise that they can’t eat money.” – Mrs. Ivy Singh-Lim, the gentle-warrior farmer.

How many rich people realise this? Mrs. Ivy Singh-Lim does. Born into a wealthy land-owning family, she has always known the value of hard work and independence, no matter where you are or what you do in life.

The Bollywood Veggies story started in 2000, shortly after Ivy and her husband Lim Ho Seng shelved their plans to move to Perth. When they chanced upon a story in the newspapers about a farm in Singapore, they were surprised and intrigued that agricultural land existed within this urban concrete jungle. They went to explore the Kranji countryside, at the time a dwindling community of farms. The idea of Bollywood Veggies was conceived around then, and despite many a logistical and bureaucratic obstacle, Ivy fearlessly battled on to set up her farm. She approached the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA), who controlled all the agricultural land use, and by 2001, managed to tender successfully for 10 acres of land for the Bollywood endeavour.

With the help of former Minister of State for National Development Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan, Ivy managed to drive changes in the AVA, the Singapore Land Authority and the Urban Redevelopment Authority to realise the vision of her farm and the surrounding countryside. Despite being warned about the difficulty of profiteering from a farm enterprise, Ivy went ahead undaunted, believing that her decision to invest in the land and farming was more than just about making money, but would also inspire others to think about the long-term sustainability of Singapore. Her determination proved to be a catalyst for change in the Kranji countryside; the new guidelines allowed for an onsite bistro, affectionately named Poison Ivy, and other farmers could soon operate shops, restaurants, educational centres and B&Bs on their premises.

The name Bollywood Veggies was chosen because of Ivy’s heritage. It is also a name that reflects the enthusiasm Ivy has put into the farm, embodying energy, education, entertainment and enlightenment. It receives a constant stream of visitors due to the publicity it has gotten over the years, and because of Ivy’s presence both onsite and in the media. Today, it has become a model of environmental sustainability and eco-tourism in Singapore, growing more than 100 varieties of useful plants and providing a space for weary urbanites to rejuvenate. Besides investing in the land, Ivy also believes in investing in people from all walks of life. She is an equal opportunity employer who hires and empowers challenged individuals in the margins of society.

Having her plate full at Bollywood Veggies isn’t enough for Ivy; she is the president of the Kranji Countryside Association, a cluster of farmers who know that land must be nurtured for the future. In 2009, the Kranji Countryside was named the best LOHAS (Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability) region by an American research company. Singapore has gone from growing more than 90% of our own food in the 1960s to less than 10% today; investing in the Kranji countryside can reverse this dangerous trend. Places like Bollywood exist to encourage Singaporean urbanites and visitors to take a short (or long) break to get back to nature, support local farmers and communities, think about environmental sustainability and contribute to a beautiful village lifestyle.

When Ivy isn’t tending to her farm, chatting in the bistro and running meetings to drive further change, she is kissing her dogs, walking with her husband and appreciating the beautiful day. In her own words, “I get up every morning, pull back the curtains, and say, ‘God thank you for another day in paradise’ Now, what more can I do today to grow this paradise for you and others?”