Six years after establishing a model of agritourism in Lucban, Quezon, agriculturist Michael Caballes has embarked on a new venture: transforming a seven-hectare grassland just 30 minutes from Davao City into Bukid Amara Davao.
Although it shares its name with the original Bukid Amara, the new site in Calinan offers a unique experience. With the majestic Mt. Apo as a backdrop, it features a lagoon with an island crowned by a balete tree, adjacent to the Urban Deca Homes development.
Bukid Amara Davao is envisioned not just as an agritourism destination but as an ecological paradise with year-round blooms for local residents to enjoy. Caballes is visibly excited about the project, despite the challenges of turning a bare seven-hectare property into a vibrant landscape. He believes the transformation achieved by his team is something every Filipino should witness.
Spread across a sprawling 5-hectare farm and a picturesque 2-hectare lagoon, this once underutilized grassland is now a hub of activity and growth.
STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP
The property, owned by 8990 Holdings Inc. under the Urban Deca brand, has been revitalized through a strategic partnership and lease agreement, leading to the creation of Bukid Amara Agri Ventures. This collaboration aims to harness the area's potential, located just 30 to 45 minutes from the Bukidnon-Davao highway.
This is the second project that Caballes has done with his new partner. Earlier this year, his team transformed a lawn of trees and grass at the Urban Deca Homes in Ortigas, Pasig into an explosion of vibrant and colorful hues of annual flowering plants. It instantly changed the mood of the homeowners.
“What used to be an empty lawn is now filled with family gatherings, picnics, and many smiling faces. The abundance of flowers they now grow in the park has attracted families to come out of their apartments to enjoy the flower garden. The place has transformed the once-underappreciated space into a more livable and enjoyable park. The change in mood is evident,” Caballes says. “We have done the same here and the effect is even more magical.”
BIGGER THAN THE ORIGINAL
Bukid Amara Davao's development plan includes diverse agricultural and eco-tourism initiatives. A 3-hectare park features a crucial nursery managed by an 8-member production team, with a tourism team set to expand as visitor interest grows. The staff primarily comprises locals from Mindanao, with agriculturist Jonard Ilag from Quezon province contributing his expertise.
The farm's layout includes Bloomfield, which will feature Cafe Amara, focusing on farm-to-table dining experiences. The landscape boasts a playground for children, a sensory playground with tunnels, small hills, and rolling areas, and a scenic balete tree with Mt. Apo as a backdrop. A circular pond resembling a caldera includes a sunset bridge offering stunning reflections of Mt. Apo.
SUNFLOWER MAZE
A highlight of Bukid Amara is its massive sunflower maze, ensuring year-round blooms with replacements every two weeks. This feature not only adds aesthetic value but also serves as an educational tool for visitors. There is also a vertical garden of edible plants and plans are underway to establish an urban edible garden showcasing container gardening, vegetable trellises, root crops, herbs, medicinal, and indigenous plants.
GREENHOUSE SUPERMARKET
In partnership with Turbulent Greenhouse, Bukid Amara will develop a Smart Farm, serving as an innovation center for science-based farming techniques. Crops like melons, peppers, and tomatoes will be cultivated to educate Davaoeños about sustainable agriculture.
The long-term vision includes establishing a Greenhouse Supermarket to promote food security by providing potted vegetables and herbs. This initiative aims to empower urban dwellers to grow their own produce, even in limited spaces. Future plans involve integrating farming systems along walkways and implementing misting and fogging systems on the farm.
BIODIVERSITY AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Bukid Amara Davao is committed to enhancing biodiversity. The lagoon, now home to red tilapia and koi, has attracted wild ducks, owls, and birds of prey. The presence of seabirds diving for fish and the resurgence of wild bees indicate a thriving ecosystem.
To sustain the fish population amidst increasing bird predation, plans for a nursery for tilapia fingerlings are in place. “We will also have stingless bees here as natural pollinators,” Caballes says.
LAUNCH AND ACTIVITIES
Bukid Amara Davao has been under development since January and is set for a grand launch during the Kadayawan Festival in August, having moved from an original Mother’s Day launch date to coincide with the influx of tourists.
“The grand launch will feature activities such as a Farmers Market every weekend, offering homeowners a platform to sell their products,” Caballes says.
Cafe Amara is awaiting its building permit and will soon open with a concept similar to the Lucban location, serving local favorites like pancit habhab topped with edible flowers. The new Cafe Amara will also offer smoothies and fruit juices.
“We have a group of interns from the Southern Luzon State University that came up with a creative concept called Blooms, Blends, and Brews. We will implement it here. The restaurant will have a souvenir shop as well,” Caballes says.
VISION FOR THE FUTURE
Bukid Amara Agri Davao represents a harmonious blend of agriculture, tourism, and community development. By fostering innovation, sustainability, and local engagement, it aims to become a model for urban and peri-urban agriculture, offering a unique and enriching experience for visitors and the local community alike.
“We want the local residents to enjoy this place. We’re thinking of giving them special rates,” Caballes says.