The Nigerian Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Abubakar Kyari, says agritourism will unlock the full potential of rural economies by blending agriculture with tourism to create jobs, ensure food security, and attract investments.
Speaking during the International Agritourism Investment Stakeholders’ Forum held in Abuja, Nigeria, the Minister stated that the initiative reflects the Renewed Hope Agenda of the present administration to translate policy into tangible benefits for farmers, entrepreneurs and communities.
The Minister, represented by the Director, Agribusiness and Market Development, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Ayodele Olawumi, stated that ‘the forum with the theme, “From Policy to Implementation: Advancing Agritourism 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.
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Mr Kyari stated further that by integrating farming with tourism, agritourism will diversify rural incomes, reduce dependence on oil, and showcase Nigeria’s cultural heritage, diverse landscapes and innovative farming practices to the world.
He noted that the International Agritourism Village is a living testimony of the transition.
The Village, he said, 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 to strengthen food security and reduce import dependence.
Training institutes within the Village will equip youth and women with entrepreneurial skills, while eco-lodges and cultural centres will create thousands of jobs across farming, hospitality, logistics, and the creative industry.
Attract Investment
The Minister further revealed that the infrastructure is also 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.
Mr Kyari revealed that the Village is positioned to serve as the foundation for establishing the World Agritourism Organisation, with Nigeria at its helm. This, he stated, “will set global standards and position Nigeria as a leader in sustainable agritourism.”
The Ministry, he explained, 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 stated.
In his remarks, the Chairman, Public-Private Partnership Cooperation, World Agritourism Organisation (WAO), Prof. Edwin Ozuzu, stated that the purpose of the initiative is not merely to deliberate, but to mobilise investment, strengthen partnerships, and commence coordinated execution of projects that would deliver measurable socio-economic benefits to Nigerians.
Prof. Ozuzu disclosed that “one of the flagship initiatives before us is the Nigerian Flagship Agritourism Village project to be developed across the States of the Federation.”
“This visionary project will integrate modern agriculture, tourism infrastructure, agro-processing industries, research and innovation centres, investment parks, training institutions, hospitality facilities, cultural heritage centres and rural enterprise development,” he noted.
In his welcome address, President, World Agritourism Organisation, Global Lead Advocate, Mr Trust Ogboi, stated that “we are witnessing the unveiling of the flagship Nigerian International Agritourism Village Project at Karshi South, FCT, Abuja, on 40 hectares designed to accommodate Federal and State Government Liaison Centre, private sector investment, farm estates and other integrated agritourism value chain developments.”
Mr 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.
The highlight of the event was the unveiling of the Nigerian International Agritourism Village Project at Karshi South, FCT, Abuja.
