Del Monte Philippines Inc. (DMPI) Pineapple Plantation
As the food basket of Mindanao, Bukidnon is a province known for its numerous farms, plantations and agro-tourism sites that provide bountiful harvests of grain, livestock, vegetable and fruits for local and international consumption, as well as provide employment for thousands of people in Mindanao.
Del Monte Philippines Inc. (DMPI) Pineapple Plantation – Considered as the biggest pineapple plantation in the Far East, the vast tracts of pineapple-laden lands of DMPI are a major attraction of the municipality of Manolo Fortich. DMPI was incorporated in 1926 and is one of the oldest and largest agro-industrial firms in the Philippines. While DMPI’s agricultural operation, purportedly the largest in Bukidnon, is straddled in the four towns of Manolo Fortich, Sumilao, Impasug-ong and Libona, its cannery is located in Bugo, Cagayan de Oro. A majority of its products is exported to the USA, Europe, the Middle East, and other parts of Asia.
Bukidnon Forests, Inc. (BFI) Industrial Tree Plantation – This 39,000-hectare reforestation project (21,000 hectares of which are plantable) demonstrates the compatibility of nature with economic objectives. Funded with the assistance of the New Zealand Government under the auspices of DENR, the project has been operational since 1990. The city of Malaybalay and the municipalities of Impasugong, Manolo Fortich and Malitbog are the areas covered by the plantation. Its five-hectare nursery is capable of producing 5.2 million fast-growing seedlings every year.
Mt. Kitanglad Agri-Ventures, Inc. (MKAVI) Banana Plantation – MKAVI is a 650-hectare banana plantation in the highlands of Barangay Alanib, Lantapan. It started its operation in 1998. MKAVI is a chief producer of quality highland sweet bananas which employs environmental conservation practices, manifesting the company’s high regard for the environment.
Dole South Skyland Banana Plantation – Located at Barangay Dagumbaan, Maramag, this 800-hectare banana plantation contributes to the supply of bananas for exportation. Other banana plantations are at Barangays San Miguel and Kuya.
Menzi Farms – Located at Barangay Damilag, Manolo Fortich; Menzi Agricultural Farms & Orchard Homes covers a land area of 350 hectares. It has a wonderful viewing deck which provides a strategic spot to view the whole municipality of Manolo Fortich. MENZI produces oranges, pineapple, cut flowers, cacao and coffee. The serene and peaceful ambiance that the place offers can certainly relieve a weary soul.
All Farms – An 18-hectare farm devoted to production of cut foliage-potted ornamentals of both local and imported origin. Located at Barangay San Gabriel, Manolo Fortich; this farm offers wonderful floral sights.
RPA Ventures – Formerly known as Farm, Inc., RPA Ventures located in Barangay Diclum engages in cut-flower production. Its 14-hectare area is the home of anthurium blooms that are of different Holland varieties. It is located in Barangay Sto. Nino.
Magic Farms – A vast agricultural area devoted to different agricultural experimentation located at Barangay Mambatangan, Manolo Fortich. Magic Farms produces grapes, banana, langka and fresh water fish.
Helms Farm – Located in Barangay Dahilayan, Manolo Fortich; Helms Farm is devoted to different agricultural experimentation. The farm produce ranges from fruits (like grapes, banana, and jackfruit) to freshwater fish and swine. At Helms Farm, one can enjoy horseback riding and camp-out at night while enjoying the soothing caress of the cool breeze.
Acosta Farms – Located in barangays Alae, San Miguel, Calanawan and Sankaran, the Acosta Farms is into the production of several varieties of fruits (like rambutan, durian, cherries and banana.)
Binahon Agro-Forestry Farm – The Binahon Agro-forestry Farm is situated in Sitio Bol-ogan, Barangay Songco, Lantapan, just along the slopes of Mt. Kitanglad, some 1,300 meters above level. It has gained acclaim as a learning site of the farmers, agriculturists, and rural development workers interested in the ropes of agroforestry and sustainable farming. The farm epitomizes the ideals of a balanced coexistence with nature, teaching those who come to stay remarkable farming techniques that are sustainable and values a harmonious life with nature and the environment. Run by the family of Henry Binahon who is himself a farmer, forester, and sociologist, the Binahon Agro-forestry Farm utilizes modern technology to improve agroforesty but maintains the traditional way of growing agricultural produce the way it was done by our forebears.
The Binahon Agro-forestry farm is laden with various forest species such as Caribbean pine trees, lawaan, falcata, abaca, and eucalyptus. Fruit trees are also planted in the area with vegetables sown in between. They raise farm animals such as carabao, horse, goat, sheep, hogs and other livestock. They also grow exotic honeybees and tilapia.
The farm contains facilities for lodging which have already housed tourists, researchers, scientists and mountaineers whose stay at the Binahon Agro-forestry Farm is an enjoyable learning experience.
Gue’s Garden – Featuring a mini-zoo of rare animals and a vast collection of flowers - bromeliads, orchids and other variety of floral species, Gue’s Garden can be found at the Poblacion, Quezon, Bukidnon.
Bukidnon Landscapes
How to get there
To get to Bukidnon, one must travel by land from Cagayan de Oro City in Misamis Oriental Province. Most local airlines have daily flights from Manila to Cagayan de Oro City. Bukidnon is about two hours away by land from Cagayan de Oro City. Local bus companies in Cagayan de Oro operate routes to Bukidnon.
Accommodations:
• GV Hotel Bukidnon - Sayre, National Highway Valencia City, Bukidnon, Bukidnon, Philippines
• Dahilayan Forest Park - Brgy. Dahilayan, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, Bukidnon, Philippines