Giving Agritourism a Second Chance

In Guimaras, there’s the Oro Verde Farms, the Trappist Monastery, and the National Mango Research Development Center. You find Del Monte Farm, Menzi Farm and Garden of Malasag in Bukidnon. Davao City has several places: Eden Nature Park, Philippine Eagle Center, Malagos Garden Resort, and Davao Crocodile Park.

In Davao del Sur, people flock to visit the Mindanao Baptist Rural Life Center to see the famous Sloping Agricultural Land Technology and its modifications. In South Cotabato, the best place to visit is Durian Garden, Atbp. in Polomolok and Sarangani Highlands in General Santos City.

Nueva Ecija has three: the Central Luzon State University, Philippine Carabao Center, and Philippine Rice Research Center. When traveling from Cavite to Tagaytay, you pass by Gourmet Farms, Sonya’s Garden and the Mushroom Country.

What do these places have one thing in common? Well, they are some of the identified agritourism destinations in the Philippines.

“These sites are becoming popular not only among local people but also to foreigners,” says 26-year-old business Kenneth Dong. “Families and friends can get away from the hustle-bustle of the cities by going to these places.”

Generally, people flock to agritourism areas on weekends as “out-of-town leisure option.” As Dong explains it: “People choose to go to these farms with the desire of having peace and experience tranquility.”

In some instances, there are those who are interested with the natural environment farms have to offer. Or, a few of them may have grew up in rural areas and try to reminiscence the past. Still others want rural recreation or may be curious about the farming industry and lifestyle.

Despite getting popular, agritourism has not given much prominence by both private and government sectors. At one time, agritourism was promoted by the Department of Tourism along with ecotourism. But for some unknown reasons, this was continued.

There are some problems to contend with. For one, there is lack of information on how an agricultural land can be developed into an agritourism site. For another, there are certain guidelines that farmers or land owners must comply with and the government supposedly, via the support of the Department of Tourism, shall subsidize innovation or construction of such locations. Criteria include accessibility of the site, market attractiveness, facilities of the farm, peace and order situation, environmental practices and social acceptability.

For this reason, Dong is reviving the agritourism project which the past administration has started. “I have always believed in the potentials of our farmers,” the boyish-looking businessman says.

Dong is the man behind A-Linx Events, which will host the First International Agritourism Expo in the Philippines next year (June 30-July 2, 2011). “Through this event, we would give our farmers the opportunities to meet direct buyers and other investors,” he says. In addition, the expo will serve as a venue for farmers to promote their sites as agritourism destinations.

Dong believes that it is high time for the Philippines to be a member of the Agritourism World. “We shall invite members of Agritourism World to participate during the expo,” he says.

The forthcoming agritourism event is endorsed by two government agencies, the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Tourism. “We will make them work together towards our objectives for this project,” Dong assures.

Dong also got the support of Senators Francis Pangilinan and Miguel Zubiri. “Though both come from different political allies,” he says, “both are convinced to push this project in their own capacities.”

The Filipino businessman believes the event will bridge the government to potential agritourism sites. “All sectors that participate in the event will get an over-all view of what the industry needs to be globally competitive,” he says, adding that he is hoping the Aquino government will prioritize budget on this booming industry.

“We are expecting a hundred or so foreign delegation, over 10,000 cooperatives, 300 exhibitors, members of the top 1,00 private companies, and 12,000 visitors,” Dong informs. All those who will attend the event can join the free public discussions and seminars.

As part of the event, there will also a search for Miss Agritourism. “Since this is the first ever agritourism expo in the country, we are thinking of having “ambassadresses.” The winners of the beauty competition shall serve as spokespersons for both the Department of Agriculture and Department of Tourism in all its future in promoting agritourism of the country whether locally or abroad.”