Abuja: The World Agritourism Organisation Advocacy (WAOA) has urged government at all levels and stakeholders in the Agriculture and Tourism sectors to invest in the creation of Agritourism Villages. Trust Ogboi, President of WAOA, made the call during a world news conference organized by the group, highlighting the potential benefits such investments can have in boosting food production and job creation.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, agritourism, also known as agricultural tourism, involves visitors participating in various agricultural activities, such as farm tours, workshops, and seasonal festivals. An agritourism village combines these activities with tourism, providing visitors with firsthand experiences of farm or ranch life while increasing awareness of agricultural products.
Ogboi emphasized that Nigeria’s agriculture and tourism sectors have significant potential to help alleviate the country’s economic challenges, particularly in food supply and job creation for unemployed youths. Investment in agritourism villages could offer a blend of work and leisure, creating wealth for individuals, investors, and the government.
Globally, agritourism villages attract investment and visitors to rural areas, improving land use and transforming landscapes. Ogboi pointed out that agritourism is a growing global concept that merges agriculture and tourism, offering economic development and stability. It is being promoted on all continents, providing peace and development, especially among younger generations.
Ogboi also highlighted the importance of agritourism villages to the Nigerian government, especially as traditional agriculture becomes less appealing. These villages could encourage more Nigerians to pursue farming, thereby creating industrial hubs and reducing rural-urban migration. The government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, led by His Excellency, Bola Tinubu, aims to establish Nigerian Agritourism Village Projects across the 36 states, including the FCT, through Public-Private Partnerships (PPP).
The WAOA is advocating for the establishment of global regulatory bodies, such as the World Agritourism Organisation (WAO) and the United Nations World Agritourism Organisation (UNWAO), to ensure global stability in agritourism. These bodies would set and enforce standards and guidelines to ensure the efficient and fair operation of agritourism markets, protecting investors, consumers, and producers.