By Aliyu Galadima
World Agritourism Organisation Advocacy ,WAOA, has urged government at all levels and stakeholders in Agriculture and Tourism sectors to invest in the creation of Agri-toursim Villages.
Trust Ogboi, President of WAOA, who made the call during a world news conference organised by the group on Thursday in Abuja, said this will boost food production and also create jobs.
Agritourism, also known as agricultural tourism, involves visitors participating and experiencing various aspects of agricultural activities, such as farm tours, workshops, and seasonal festivals.
An agritourism village combines agricultural activities with tourism, offering visitors a firsthand experience of farm or ranch life and increasing awareness of agricultural products.
According to Ogboi, Nigeria’s agriculture and tourism sectors have robust potentials to rescue the country from its economic challenges, particularly in the provision of adequate food supply and job creation for teeming unemployed youths.
He said investment in agritourism villages across the country would offer a perfect blend of work and leisure, as well as wealth creation for both individuals, investors and government.
He further said that all over the world, agritourism villages offer a unique window into local agriculture, attracting Investment and visitors to rural areas and improved land use, turning forests into cities.
“Agritourism is a rapidly growing global concept which combine agriculture and tourism sectors by attracting visitors to such areas for the purposes of entertainment, leisure, shopping and education.
“Almost all Continents, Asia, Africa, Europe, North America, South America and Australia are promoting and practicing agritourism, providing economic development, stability and global peace particularly among the younger generations.
“The importance of agritourism village to Nigerian government in particular is coming at a time when people are no longer interested in traditional agriculture again, they need an innovative agriculture.
“Agritourism will encourage Nigerians to go into farming, when these activities are going on, it will create industrial hubs, which will create jobs.
“With tourism villages across the 36 states,agriculture will be made attractive, especially to young Nigerians, and rural-urban migration will reduced, as more people get involved in food production.
“The Government of Nigeria, as part of Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, Bola Tinubu, through Public Private Partnership ,PPP, is establishing Nigerian Agritourism Village Projects in the 36 States, FCT inclusive..
“We have already started work in some states, including Delta State, and we are calling on state governments , corporate bodies and individuals to join the train for food sufficiency and job creation”, he said.
Ogboi said the WAOA was championing an advocacy by Nigeria,calling for the establishment of World Agritourism Organisation ,WAO, and the United Nations World Agritourism Organisation ,UNWAO.
“To achieve global stability in agritourism, there is need for global regulatory body or agency, an Institution or organisation that will oversee and regulate agritourism market internationally.
“They will establish and enforce standards, guidelines and regulations to promote stability, integrity and transparency within global agritourism system.
“Their primary objective is to ensure agritourism markets operate efficiently and fairly while protecting investors, consumers and producers”, he said.
