Damosa Land targets to open ‘nature-tainment’ park of Agriya in November
DAVAO CITY — Damosa Land Inc. (DLI) plans to open by November the agri-tourism component of Agriya, an 88-hectare mixed-use complex in Panabo City.
“It is really a whole working park. Agri-tourism, we also call ‘nature-tainment,’ is one of the centerpieces of Agriya,” DLI Vice-President Ricardo “Cary” F. Lagdameo told BusinessWorld in an interview.
DLI’s Agriya development highlights agriculture, especially banana, as the backbone of the city’s economic growth.
The agri-tourism area is designed as a “living farm” with theme park, a small banana plantation, aquaculture and livestock areas, and a high-value crops portion.
“Part of the demo farm is already completed, the aquaculture already ongoing, we have a lagoon that is also one of the centerpieces is already working and people can go there for fishing. It would be a really rich experience not just for children but for adults as well,” he said.
Aside from being a leisure destination, Mr. Lagdameo said the project aims to encourage the youth to get interested and involved in agriculture.
Agriya will also have residential and commercial components, and a University of the Philippines Professional School for Agriculture and Environment (UP PSAE).
The residential component, with 177 detached houses on lots ranging from 250 to 450 square meters, will start construction next year.
“It is a house and lot (package). The architecture being considered is a California Mission-style house. These are houses that you can see in Southern California, New Mexico, and Arizona. It’s not something that is commonly done yet,” he said. There will also be a “generous area” for parks and playgrounds, clubhouses, and swimming pools. “It would be very spacious,” he said.
For the UP PSAE land preparation is ongoing and construction is targeted to start next year.
The UP PSAE, which is seen to strengthen the agriculture sector, will also assist UP Mindanao in Davao City and other state universities and colleges in the Davao Region on the development of research and academic programs.
UP PSAE is a public-private partnership between UP Los Baños and Anflo Investment and Management Corp. (Anflocor), the mother firm of DLI. — Maya M. Padillo
