By Omoyeni Ojeifo
The Federal Government has announced plans to develop flagship agritourism villages across the country, combining modern agriculture, tourism and agro-processing to create jobs, attract investment and strengthen rural economies.
The plan was disclosed at the International Agrotourism Investment Stakeholders’ Forum in Abuja on Thursday, where the Nigerian International Agritourism Village project was unveiled for development at Karshi South in the Federal Capital Territory.
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, represented by the ministry’s Director of Agribusiness and Market Development, Mr. Ayodele Olawumi, said the initiative was designed to translate government policy into tangible benefits for farmers, entrepreneurs and rural communities.
Kyari said the agritourism model would integrate farming with tourism to diversify rural incomes, reduce dependence on oil and showcase Nigeria’s cultural heritage, landscapes and innovative agricultural practices, according to a statement by Ikem Ezeaja, Head of Information, Ministry of Agriculture, emailed to PerSecondNews on Thursday.
He emphasized that the 40-hectare Abuja village would serve as a model hub where agribusiness, hospitality and cultural tourism would converge, with facilities designed to support agriculture, investment and rural enterprise development.
“The project will feature modern farm estates for climate-smart agriculture, processing facilities for value addition, training institutes for youths and women, as well as eco-lodges and cultural centres.
“The facilities would generate employment across farming, hospitality, logistics and the creative industry, while providing rural households with skills, market access and infrastructure to improve their livelihoods,” he said.
According to Kyari, the infrastructure would also be positioned to attract domestic and foreign investment, increase foreign exchange earnings and strengthen food security by reducing dependence on imported agricultural products.
The Minister said the village was also being positioned as the foundation for establishing the World Agritourism Organization, with Nigeria at its helm, which he said would help set global standards for sustainable agritourism.
The ministry, he added, was strengthening policy frameworks and introducing incentives, including tax breaks and access to land, while promoting public-private partnerships to attract investment into the sector.
On his part, Chairman, Public-Private Partnership Cooperation of the World Agritourism Organization, Prof. Edwin Ozuzu, said the initiative was intended to move beyond discussions and mobilise investment, partnerships and coordinated implementation of projects with measurable benefits for Nigerians.
“The proposed flagship agritourism villages would integrate modern agriculture, tourism infrastructure, agro-processing industries, research and innovation centres, investment parks, training institutions, hospitality facilities and cultural heritage centres.”
President and Global Lead Advocate of the World Agritourism Organization, Amb. Arc. Trust Henry Ogboi, said the Karshi South project was designed to accommodate a Federal and State Government Liaison Centre, private-sector investment, farm estates and other integrated agritourism value-chain developments.
Ogboi stressed that the programme would complement the proposed World Agritourism Centre in Obi Local Government Area of Benue State, alongside other agritourism developments planned across the country.