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Down south, there’s a rising “agropolis”—a metropolis built on agriculture.

Regional real estate leader Damosa Land Inc. (DLI) is creating Agriya, an 88-ha mixed-use township in Davao del Norte which celebrates Mindanao’s agricultural heritage and promotes agritourism.

Playing on the phrase “Agricultural City by Anflocor,” DLI launched Agriya last year as an homage to the conglomerate to which it belongs: Anflo Group of Companies that began and continues to thrive in agriculture.

The concept has been on the drawing board since 2009. Renowned architect and urban planner Felino A. Palafox Jr. coined the term agropolis, and produced a masterplan with residential, commercial, institutional and agritourism components.

DLI is eager to come full circle with this project now that Davao Region is finally ready for it. Company president Ricardo “Cary” Floirendo-Lagdameo said, “Agriya came into mind after seeing that there is an opportunity to promote further the richness of Mindanao’s lands through an agritourism zone.”

Here are just some advantages of investing in DLI’s agropolis:

Overall well-being

Plants and open spaces, both abundant in Agriya, yield health benefits. Greens filter and insulate the air, improving its quality. In 2016, Harvard linked exposure to vegetation to lower mortality rates in women particularly for respiratory, cancer and kidney diseases, as well as improved mental health. Open spaces naturally predispose people to fitness activities, lowering the risk of some noncommunicable diseases.

Bigger space

Agriya is generous with space. For starters, Ameria, Davao del Norte’s first premier subdivision, offers only 177 homes across 8.9 ha, granting privacy and exclusiveness to dwellers. You have free rein over a much bigger lot—extend your house, or plant crops or ornaments. The packages have been so attractive that just 60 remain up for grabs. You can visit the new model unit

Social cohesion

A 2019 article on the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health noted that urban green spaces encourage social interaction and community ties. Studies relate greens to better trust, collaboration and disaster resilience within neighborhoods. The agropolis encourages these through amenities and experiences. Ameria features a clubhouse, open parks, gardens and a playground. Agriya also has “Naturetainment,” a family-friendly spot that provides interactive farming and agriculture-related adventures.

Two worlds in one

The agropolis is in Panabo City, which benefits from urban and rural features. Agriya strikes a balance between both. Its aesthetic direction maximizes nature. For instance, its retail component is plaza-type instead of a big box. Residents can grow their own food, even sell the surplus in a community market. Panabo’s food and retail options are nearby since the estate is within the city center. Anflo Industrial Estate and the Davao International Container Terminal give options for career and business growth, but you can also drive south to Davao City or north to Tagum.Agriculture champ

Ultimately, buying into Agriya is a gesture of support for DLI’s noble effort to promote agriculture, a sector that has fallen by the wayside but is crucial to the country’s progress. Agriya will host the University of the Philippines Los Baños’ Professional School for Agriculture and the Environment, ensuring agriculture will be an enduring advocacy. By participating in community life, you will offer up a strong testimony that an agropolis—an agriculture-based metropolis—is possible, perhaps not only down south but also across the country.