When Simardeep “Simar” Singh first walked through the Bombay property that would become Lidhar Farms, he saw an opportunity for his family to build something of their own. Within two months, Simar, his brother Pavan and their father Jagwinder had purchased the one-hectare block from grower Nick Na, who had owned and developed the site for 20 years.
The property included two glasshouses of approximately 1,664m2 and 2,000m2, along with access to a neighbouring plastic house. For Simar, who grew up around agriculture in Punjab before moving to New Zealand at 16, the purchase brought him back to farming after years working in orchards, courier work and long-haul driving.
Photo above: left Simar and right Pavan in front of their glasshouse
A family business
While Simar manages much of the day-to-day growing, Lidhar Farms is very much a shared family effort. Pavan has been part of the journey from the beginning, working alongside Simar and Jagwinder as the family moved from opportunity to ownership. Together, the brothers bring energy, commitment and a practical, hands-on approach to the business.
Former owner Nick Na mentored Simar in the early stages of growing and remains a close family friend. Since taking over in 2021, the Singh family has continued to invest in the site, building a 2,000m2 heated plastic house and growing on an adjacent property.
Today, Lidhar Farms uses the Ridder process automation growing system and produces Telegraph cucumbers and large loose tomatoes, with capsicums also being considered as a future crop. Simar manages the daily growing decisions, while Pavan and Jagwinder remain closely involved in the wider operation.
Working with Lefroy Valley seed varieties
Working with Paula from Lefroy Valley, Simar has been impressed with Illusion cucumber during winter production, noting its vigour and yield performance. He is also interested in identifying more cold-tolerant tomato varieties that can perform well in cooler conditions and support more efficient winter production.
That willingness to keep improving is central to the way the family thinks about Lidhar Farms. Simar’s goals include lifting yields, improving energy efficiency, growing the business further and eventually building a new glasshouse. One production target is to reach over 40 tag 1 cucumbers per plant over a five-and-a-half-month period.
Challenges in a changing cost environment
Like many protected-cropping businesses, Lidhar Farms is facing pressure from rising input costs. Heating is one of the biggest challenges, with the price of waste oil having doubled. For Simar and Pavan, the focus is on finding practical energy efficiencies while continuing to protect crop quality and performance.
Photo above: Simar in front of there winter telegraph cucumber crop
Looking ahead
As the Singh family continues to refine production, trial new material and plan for the future, Lidhar Farms is a name to watch. Their story reflects migration, family, hard work and opportunity, led by two brothers who are meeting challenges with innovation as they grow in New Zealand’s protected-cropping industry.
