Prepared by:

Brim D. Mangubat

AGRITOURISM PARK / GARDEN IN THE SKY
Location : Panicuason, Naga City ( upper part of the Hot Spring Resort )
Area : 3 hectares
History : land is previously cultivated for corn production

AGRITOURISM OVERVIEW

Agricultural Tourism is a concept designed to promote tourism by developing a farmhouse environment
in targeted project areas and promoting it as an alternative tourist destination that will cater to those
seeking respite from fast and tedious city life. It provides an opportunity for the visiting farm guests the
hand-on and enriching experience of a farm life while providing a good source of revenue to the owner-
operator, as well as the community.

Unlike Ecological Tourism, Business Tourism, Sports Tourism and other concepts developed as tourism
enhancement programs, AGRITOURISM offers more budget-friendly, less tedious and less physically
grueling activities that caters to visitors of all ages and walks-of life. It targets urban families, school
children, young professionals and others who want to experience the fun and simplicity of rural living.
Unlike more expensive forms of leisure and sports tourism, no special gears and outfit is required;
except for the fare, the minimal entrance fee, the price for the produce harvested, and the reasonable
rate for the meals and accommodation if they opted for a stay, the visitors has nothing else to worry
about.

THE OPERATIONAL CONCEPT

Agricultural Tourism is a shared commercial endeavor between the operator-owner and farm guests.
The farm is made open to the public for a minimal entrance fee, allowing the guests to enjoy and
experience the system of working farm. Instead of the customary way of marketing in groceries or wet
markets, direct farm marketing is introduced to them where they actually have a hand in the gathering
of their own eggs, picking their tomatoes, vegetables, fruits, milk cows or goats and see for themselves
how honeybee is extracted from honeycomb. They can even cook their vegetables and savor its
freshness in designated picnic areas to share with their family and love ones. Cost of harvested produce
maybe set as part of a package or charged separately.

Schools may hold their educational field trips and camping there without worries with the safety of their
students as the activities are not as physically demanding. Agricultural related brochures and flyers are
to be distributed or pre-arranged professional lecturers maybe invited as part of educational tour
package. The owner-operator expects return of investment and earns reasonable profit.

The project is to be implemented by developing the three hectares land into an agri-tourism park. It will
showcase farm stands, shops, friendly animals to mingle with, livestocks, butterfly garden, beehives
sanctuary, horse backriding activity, fishing for rent, market fairs, youth camps, cabanas, picnic area,
visitors outdoor kitchen, party area and more. Stalls may be opened for lease to already known
Prepared by:
Brim D. Mangubat

commercial establishments ( i. e. starbucks, biggs ) so as not to deprive guests the taste of urban
lifestyle.

PRELIMINARY CONSIDERATIONS:

1. Conduct soil analysis. This is necessary to determine what plants grow in the area and prepare
the soil itself for farming by introduction of necessary minerals needed and tillage activity.
2. Engage the service of the following: ( composition of the development team )
a) Agricultural Engineer to make a study of the area and spot where green houses, water
outlets and animal shelters may be constructed.
b) Architect for structural designs
c) Civil Engineer for building structures
d) Landscape Artist specializing in theme parks
3. Farmers or people who will be in charge in the cultivation and running of the agripark must
undergo training for the sanctioned technical knowhow in the actual operation process.

RECOMMENDED FACILITIES:

1. Build a three-storey building preferably at the core of the agri-tourism park with an area wide
enough to accommodate shops, stands, comfort rooms, restaurant and more. The first storey is
suggested to be the display area of the farm products, comfort room area, customer service
office and portions of which may be opened for lease with nearby farmers to offer them an
alternative way of earning. The second floor may be utilized for function hall and restaurant. The
third level is intended as viewing deck where tables, chairs and umbrellas may be set up. To
serve the entertainment and educational purpose, large telescopes in the area will provide
added attraction. Visitors will enjoy the view of the mountain, the city and the hot spring resort
while having their farm-made products refreshment in the said deck.

2. Green houses to house sensitive plants and seedlings. Thorough study should be made in order
that the green house design suits the physical condition of the site taking most. The area where
the greenhouses are to be located must be near the water resource, have enough access to the
morning sun and be less exposed to the upper mountain wind.

3. Animal shelters for horses, cows, goats and chickens: must be made near the pasturing area.
The number, design of these shelters shall vary in the number of animals the operator intends to
maintain.

4. The Horse backriding area is proposed to be located in an area where a manmade fishing pod
shall be excavated for guests to enjoy catching freshwater fish.

5. There should be pathwalks and bi-cycle/horse lane surrounding the park to offer guests an
enjoyable alternative to stroll around the park.
Prepared by:
Brim D. Mangubat

6. Big bird cages, butterfly sanctuary, beehive spot are proposed to be built. As added attraction,
ostrich maybe propagated.

7. Cabanas are proposed to accommodate visitors who want to get away the city life and enjoy the
atmosphere of a working farm.

8. Camping areas are to be identified and developed with gazebos, nipa huts, toilets and
kitchen/cooking huts for amenities.

9. Picnic areas

10. Light posts, washing/cleaning area, pathwalks

ECONOMIC VIABILITY

The Agritourism Park must develop a scheme for mix production of agricultural products to cater both
the tastes, interests and necessity of the consumers. On-farm recreation shall be the primary objective
where guests and visitors may watch and participate in the farm work, enjoy the scenery and relax with
their fresh harvest for their food and refreshments. The money the guests will be spending must be
commensurate with the quality of service and products directly offered to them. Target market are not
only tourists/visitors- end users but small and big agri-products contractors (wholesalers). The park may
also be made open to small scale farmers in the area, a gateway for them to engage in direct
entrepreneurship by leasing a stall. It is important though that their products must be different from the
park production.

The Agritourism Park may enter into partnership with schools. Schools which includes agri-farming in
their curriculum may send their students to the park and do their projects there. The area and raw
materials shall be supplied by the Park and the work shall be performed by the said students. The
knowledge and grades shall be reaped by the student while the Park shall maintain their project and
harvest the products.

In addition to the on-hand learning process, camping activity may be arranged between the school and
the park. There shall be a camping site with amenities needed. The security of the students shall be
assured through a strict security program. The stay would of course be for a cost.

It is maintained that all facilities for recreation should be for rent from tables and chairs, gazebos,
cabanas, farm equipments, fishing rods, boat, ponies, telescopes and others. In direct selling, the
consumer-visitor shall buy what they harvest or gather. The core of marketing strategy is the much
lesser cost of the farm products since the manpower, processing and packaging cost requirements are
eliminated already.

HUMAN RESOURCE REQUIREMENT
Prepared by:
Brim D. Mangubat


One farm manager, two supervisors, five farm workers and at least three animal caretakers.
One Tourism manager, two tourism desk officer and two tourist guides.

MANAGEMENT/OPERATION STRATEGY

Launching of the park may be on a humble beginning. A small number of livestocks may be enough to
support the initial operation i.e. 6 cows, 3 pairs of goats, 2 pairs of deer, 5 species of birds including,
peacock, ostrich, chickens, a dozen of wild ducks and birds found in Mount Isarog, 5 horses and a
number beehives which will provide sufficient supply of honeybee. Feature flowers and other flora and
fauna unique in the region, especially in Mt. Isarog. Butterflies which will form part of the butterfly
garden must first come from the area itself to ensure their survival. The initial crops and vegetables to
be cultivated must be those that actually attract the market and early maturing varieties. Two
greenhouses and the three storey building may be established first. The farm personnel must be
equipped with the proper training skill at the outset of the project in order to ensure smooth sailing
operation. The park must also tie up with the Department of Agriculture and be a beneficiary for its
programs.

The tourism and agriculture aspects must be dealt with separately. The management should create a
different structure for the tourism center. It will be the one in-charge in the development and
maintenance of the tourism business status of the park. It should first focus on attracting domestic
tourists and eventually go worldwide. It may collaborate with the Department of Tourism, Department
of Education, Local Governments and both domestic and international travel agencies for full blast
marketing promotion.

ECONOMIC IMPACT

- Jobs are created
- Additional income to the locality and income contribution for the city
- Attracts tourists, promote both agriculture, tourism and culture of the Camarines
- Business and production enhancement

FINANCIAL ASPECT

It is expected that break-even cost and income will not be realized for the first one and a half years. The
park would definitely spend a lot for the improvements and advertisement. But since this is the first
agritourism park in the city which is situated in the heart of Bicolandia, at the commencement of the 2
nd

year, profit is projected to slowly materialize and will boom big on the third.




Prepared by:
Brim D. Mangubat

RECOMMENDATION:

1. Proposed lay-out plan has been prepared for approval of the owner-operator where areas for
trees are already identified. The planting of said trees is suggested to be made way ahead of the
commencement of the preparation for farm establishment. Seedlings may be procured from the
Department of Agriculture, RFU V, Pili, Camarines Sur in two modes:

a) For cost
Specie Price/pc

Jackfruit
Santol
guyabano
Grafted :

Php 55


Ordinary:

Php 20

Mango Php 70
Pili Php 55

b) MOA
No cost
Available species : cacao, coffee, pili, mango, rambutan and pomelo

2. Animals that need to be tamed should be purchased already.

Here is the list for suggested farm animals and its possible sources:

animals source
goat Llorins Goat Farm
San F elipe, Naga City
Cow Auction Market
Padre Garcia, Batangas horse
Duck Backyard or would depend
on the kind of specie
ostrich
birds
butterflies Dra. Raquel Francia at Iriga
City
deer
chicken Teresa, Rizal

Prepared by:
Brim D. Mangubat

3. The green house may be established later or 6 months prior to the introduction of the farm in
public. Green houses maybe secured for free from the Department of Agriculture should the
farm decided to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement with it. There are however, terms and
conditions to be complied with in this regard.

But should the farm wish to put up its own green house, hereto attached is the standard green
house plan ( subject for perusal of the agricultural engineer).

4. Engage the services of an agricultural engineer and licensed agriculturist.
Mr. Felipe Vargas is highly recommended.

5. Cable car is necessary. This is to service elderly guests who will have a hard time climbing the
stairs going to the Park.