The World Agritourism Organisation Advocacy (WAOA) has urged governments at all levels and stakeholders in the agriculture and tourism sectors to invest in creating agritourism villages.

Trust Ogboi, president of WAOA, made the call during a world news conference organised by the group on Thursday in Abuja, saying this will boost food production and create jobs.

Agritourism, also known as agricultural tourism, involves visitors participating in 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.

Mr Ogboi said Nigeria’s agriculture and tourism sectors have robust potential to rescue the country from its economic challenges, particularly in providing adequate food supply and jobs for unemployed youths.

He said investment in agritourism villages, like other countries, would encourage Nigerians to go into farming and offer a perfect blend of work, leisure, and wealth creation for individuals, investors, and the government.

“With tourism villages across the 36 states, agriculture will be made attractive, especially to young Nigerians, and rural-urban migration will be reduced as more people get involved in food production.

“The government of Nigeria, as part of the 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.

Mr Ogboi said the WAOA was championing advocacy by Nigeria, calling for the establishment of the World Agritourism Organisation (WAO) and the United Nations World Agritourism Organisation (UNWAO).

“To achieve global stability in agritourism, there is a need for a global regulatory body or agency, an institution or organisation that will oversee and regulate the agritourism market internationally.

“They will establish and enforce standards, guidelines and regulations to promote stability, integrity and transparency within the global agritourism system.

“Their primary objective is to ensure agritourism markets operate efficiently and fairly while protecting investors, consumers and producers,” Mr Ogboi said.

(NAN)