The Federal Government has said agrotourism will unlock the full potential of rural economies by blending agriculture with tourism to create jobs, ensure food security, and attract investment. The statement was made during the International Agrotourism Investment Stakeholders’ Forum held in Abuja on Thursday, according to the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari.
Agrotourism Reflects Renewed Hope Agenda
Speaking at the forum, the Minister, represented by the Director of Agribusiness and Market Development at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Ayodele Olawumi, stated that the initiative reflects the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration. He said the agenda aims to translate policy into tangible benefits for farmers, entrepreneurs, and communities.
Kyari noted that the forum’s theme, “From Policy to Implementation: Advancing Agrotourism for Food Security, Job Creation, Global Investment for Economic Diversification and Sustained Growth,” underscores the administration’s resolve to move beyond speeches into concrete action.
Integrating Farming with Tourism
The Minister further stated that by integrating farming with tourism, agrotourism will diversify rural incomes, reduce dependence on oil, and showcase Nigeria’s cultural heritage, diverse landscapes, and innovative farming practices to the world. He highlighted the International Agrotourism Village as a living testimony of this transition.
The Village, he explained, is designed as a model hub where agribusiness, hospitality, and cultural tourism converge. It features modern farm estates for climate-smart agriculture and processing facilities for value addition, which are intended to strengthen food security and reduce import dependence.
Training and Job Creation
Training institutes within the Village will equip youth and women with entrepreneurial skills, while eco-lodges and cultural centers will create thousands of jobs across farming, hospitality, logistics, and the creative industry. The Minister also revealed that the infrastructure is positioned to attract domestic and foreign investment, boost foreign exchange earnings, and provide rural households with skills, market access, and infrastructure to lift families out of poverty.
Kyari added that the Village is positioned to serve as the foundation for establishing the World Agrotourism Organization, with Nigeria at its helm. This, he noted, will set global standards and position Nigeria as a leader in sustainable agritourism.
Policy Frameworks and Incentives
The Ministry, he assured, is strengthening policy frameworks, deploying incentives such as tax breaks and access to land, and encouraging public-private partnerships to make Nigeria the most attractive destination for agritourism investment in Africa and beyond. “The Village is ready. The communities are ready. Nigeria is ready. The time to invest is now,” Kyari concluded.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Public-Private Partnership Cooperation at the World Agritourism Organization (WAO), Prof. Edwin Ozuzu, stated that the purpose of the initiative is not merely to deliberate, but to mobilize investment, strengthen partnerships, and commence coordinated execution of projects that would deliver measurable socio-economic benefits to Nigerians.
Flagship Projects Unveiled
Ozuzu revealed that one of the flagship initiatives is the Nigerian Flagship Agritourism Village project, to be developed across the States of the Federation. This project will integrate modern agriculture, tourism infrastructure, agro-processing industries, research and innovation centers, investment parks, training institutions, hospitality facilities, cultural heritage centers, and rural enterprise development.
During his welcome address, the President of the World Agritourism Organization and Global Lead Advocate, Amb. Arc. Trust Henry Ogboi, stated that the forum witnessed the unveiling of the flagship Nigerian International Agritourism Village Project at Karshi South, FCT, Abuja, on 40 hectares. The project is designed to accommodate Federal and State Government Liaison Centres, private sector investment, farm estates, and other integrated agritourism value chain developments.
Ogboi added that the programme complements other important proposed projects, including the World Agritourism Centre in Obi Local Government Area of Benue State, and other agritourism developments across the country.
