DIMO to enter agro tourism with its Agri Techno Park in Dambulla

DIMO management at the official opening of chalets

 Luxury chalets located in Dambulla Agri Techno Park 

DIMO Agribusinesses,’ the agriculture arm of DIMO, has selected its Agri Techno Park located in Dambulla (mid-country) to embark on its journey in agro tourism.

DIMO Agribusinesses owns three Agri Techno Parks which are located in Dambulla (mid-country), Nikaweratiya (low country) and Lindula (up-country wet zone). They operate with the aim of carrying out research and development, seed production, farmer education and training activities while also acting as model farms in each respective region.

The company intends to enter the agro tourism market through these parks to cater to the growing number of tourists who are interested in an agriculture-based holiday experience. Tourists will have the opportunity to gain first-hand knowledge and experience about the agricultural way of life in the country while staying in luxury cabanas or holiday bungalows located inside these Agri Techno Parks. The company officially opened two luxury chalets inside the Dambulla Agri Techno Park recently and expects to commence operations soon.

DIMO Chairman and Managing Director Ranjith Pandithage stated, “Agro tourism is a vast area and this is our first initiative in this field. We have selected our Agri Techno Park in Dambulla for this project since it is equipped with high-tech agriculture facilities that enhance sustainable agriculture and is also situated in a beautiful location which will allow us to offer a real agriculture experience to the tourists.”

DIMO Group CEO Gahanath Pandithage said, “Agro Tourism is an important factor in the future tourism industry and many countries heavily focus on this area. Sri Lanka also needs to seriously look at agro tourism. These types of initiatives will have a positive impact on the companies’ profitability and it is great that DIMO has made its footprint in this sector.” 

DIMO CMO Asanga Ranasinghe said, “This is another milestone to reshape the businesses of DIMO. We are into an aggressive growth journey in Agriculture sector and this project will revolutionise the industry. Soon we will venture into agriculture output market and we expect to establish similar types of Agri Techno parks in the strategic locations of the country.” 

DIMO General Manager for Agriculture Special Projects Priyanga Dematawa stated, “Dambulla Agri Techno Park is the first Agri Techno Park of DIMO. It conducts vegetable seed trials (local/imported, open pollinated/hybrid) fertiliser, crop care and other agriculture related trials to improve the quality of the agriculture production in Sri Lanka. This centre is also equipped with a high-tech model farm complete with greenhouses and micro irrigation systems, vegetable seed techno unit and fruit orchard which will enable us to take the agriculture industry to next level. Once the two luxury chalets are open for business they will offer a true agro tourism experience to the patrons. Urban agriculture enthusiasts may conveniently enjoy plant and seed nurseries, vegetable farms and fruit orchards while learning both modern and traditional farming methods.”

This Agri Techno Park is situated in the Matale District of the Central Province covering 30 acres of land. The Centre promotes and enhances the network of innovation in agriculture practices, education, technology and research. It facilitates knowledge transfer by acting as a coordinating hub to bring together expertise from established institutions and organisations in the areas of plant production, agribusinesses, and technology development. It will also provide planting materials of vegetable and fruit plants registered under the Department of Agriculture. The park will be armed with a Knowledge Sharing Centre for farmers, students and related parties.