Large Agricultural Estate (Finca) for Sale in Las Porqueras, Merida

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Description

This is the largest finca for sale in the Merida mountain region, located just 7 km from Timotes, an area known for producing a significant percentage of the Andean region's vegetables. The property encompasses 1,339 hectares, with 220 hectares suitable for cultivation: * 140 hectares with slopes less than 40%, cultivable using oxen-drawn plows. * 80 hectares cultivable using mechanized systems. Crops here are frost-free year-round, yielding two to three harvests annually with excellent results. The land boasts high-quality soil and ample water availability for gravity-fed irrigation during the dry season, ensuring stable production with minimal risk. Several natural water sources (streams) flow permanently throughout the year across the estate. The Quebrada del Chorro defines the property's boundary and serves as the primary water source for irrigation. This stream maintains a consistent flow, even in summer, originating from Laguna El Chorro, a significant glacial lake. This lake, along with other glacial lakes located at 3,450 meters above sea level, forms a natural storage system, ensuring the continuous flow of the Quebrada El Chorro year-round. The finca also benefits from other streams originating in the upper mountain region (Sierra De La Culata National Park), including Quebrada Caña and Quebrada El Muerto. These streams feed five Australian tanks, storing over 2 million liters of water, and an artificial lagoon of 200,000 liters. This infrastructure supports various independent irrigation systems, enabling sprinkler irrigation across the entire property. The finca has paved road access to Timotes, ensuring easy transportation of produce to the town and other locations throughout the country. It also benefits from infrastructure including 220V electricity, sewage, and potable water. The natural soils feature an average topsoil depth of 40 to 80 cm, with some rocky outcroppings of schist. Soil analysis indicates a sandy-loam texture, abundant rounded stones, and good natural fertility. The natural "Kikuyo" grass covers areas with low vegetation. Included is a historic house dating back to 1836, constructed with tapia walls, a roof of caña brava (a type of cane), and tile, featuring a central courtyard with a running water channel (original acequia). The house was remodeled in 1990, preserving the original architectural style. It comprises five bedrooms and a small, independent apartment. It includes a kitchen, four bathrooms, and open corridors with original floors that maintain the same artisanal craftsmanship typical of the area. There are plans to build a small four-bedroom inn with bathrooms, a kitchen, a dining room, and other amenities to meet COVENIN standards and obtain the necessary permits from the Ministry of Tourism. A second, more ambitious project envisions a construction around the main house, transforming it into the central attraction of a large 16-double-bedroom inn with its own services, also compliant with COVENIN standards. Both projects have preliminary designs and plans. The property is registered under corporate entities, streamlining the negotiation, documentation, and registration process for the new owner, and potentially saving on INTI fees.