Singular group of shops now perhaps champion the farmer (11)

I believe the answer is:

smallholder

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'farmer' is the definition.
(I know that smallholder is a type of farmer)

'singular group of shops now perhaps' is the wordplay.
'singular' becomes 's' (abbreviation sometimes used in dictionaries).
'group of shops' becomes 'mall' (I've seen this in another clue).
'now perhaps' becomes 'holder' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
's'+'mall'+'holder'='SMALLHOLDER'

'champion the' is the link.
I am not very happy about this link. Some or all of it may belong to another bit of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for smallholder that I've seen before include "Agriculturist" , "Minor farmer" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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