Nigeria Unveils Agritourism Village to Drive Economic Growth, Food Security
Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Abubakar Kyari, has said that agritourism would unlock the entire potential of the rural economies through the combination of agriculture and tourism to create jobs, ensure food security and attract investments.
The Minister, who spoke at the International Agritourism Investment Stakeholders’ Forum in Abuja, Nigeria, said the initiative is part of the Renewed Hope Agenda of the present administration to translate policy into concrete benefits for farmers, entrepreneurs and communities.
Represented by the Director, Agribusiness and Market Development, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Ayodele Olawumi, the Minister said, “The forum with the theme, “From Policy to Implementation: Advancing Agritourism for Food Security, Job Creation, Global Investment for Economic Diversification and Sustained Growth”, signifies the determination of this administration to do more than just talking.
Mr Kyari also said the integration of farming with tourism will diversify rural incomes, reduce dependence on oil and showcase Nigeria’s cultural heritage, diverse landscapes and innovative farming practices to the world.
The International Agritourism Village is a living testimony of the transition, he said.
He said the Village is seen as a model hub where agribusiness meets hospitality and cultural tourism.
It has modern farm estates for climate smart agriculture and processing facilities for value addition to strengthen food security and reduce import dependence.
Training institutes in the Village will train youth and women in entrepreneurial skills and eco lodges and cultural centers will create thousands of jobs in farming, hospitality, logistics and the creative industry.
Investment attraction
The Minister also highlighted that the infrastructure is also strategically located to attract domestic and foreign investments, increase foreign exchange earnings and provide skills, market access and infrastructure to rural households to take families out of poverty.
Mr Kyari said the Village is to become the base for the creation of the World Agritourism Organization with Nigeria as the helm. “This will establish global standards and position Nigeria as a leader in sustainable agritourism,” he said.
“The Ministry is putting in place policy frameworks, offering incentives such as tax breaks and access to land, and promoting public-private partnerships to make Nigeria the most attractive destination for agritourism investment in Africa and beyond,” he said.
“The Village is ready, the communities are ready, Nigeria is ready, the time to invest is now”, said Kyari.
Speaking at the event, the Chairman, Public-Private Partnership Cooperation, World Agritourism Organization (WAO), Prof. Edwin Ozuzu said the initiative was not about talking but mobilizing investment, building partnerships and starting to implement projects that would deliver tangible socio-economic benefits to Nigerians.
“One of the flagship initiatives before us is the Nigerian Flagship Agritourism Village project to be developed across the States of the Federation, Prof. Ozuzu disclosed.
“This forward-looking project will combine modern agriculture, tourism infrastructure, agro-processing industries, research and innovation centers, investment parks, training institutions, hospitality facilities, cultural heritage centers and rural enterprise development,” he said.
Speaking at the event, the President, World Agritourism Organization, Global Lead Advocate, Mr Trust Ogboi said “we are witnessing the unveiling of the flagship Nigerian International Agritourism Village Project at Karshi South, FCT, Abuja on 40 hectors designed to accommodate Federal and State Government Liaison Center, private sector investment, farm estates and other integrated agritourism value chain developments.
According to Mr Ogboi, the program complements other important proposed projects, including the World Agritourism Center in Obi Local Government Area of Benue State and other agritourism developments across the country.
The highlight of the event was the launch of the Nigerian International Agritourism Village Project at Karshi South, FCT, Abuja.
