MARTHA GORASESNAMIBIA faces multiple socio economic challenges, including food insecurity, unemployment and poverty. The country is endowed with an abundance of natural resources, diversity of cultural practices and warm hospitable people, which are some of the reasons why Namibia is well-positioned as an agritourism destination.
Agritourism is a combination of two words: Agriculture and tourism. Simply defined, agritourism is a system that provides opportunities for both international and local visitors to experience an authentic historical rural farm experience, its culture and daily chores, gastronomy, leisure, to be in touch with nature, and take part in educational farm tours. Additionally, the concept has proved to be a form of therapy for seniors and middle-aged groups by relieving stress, physical and mental fatigue linked to busy, demanding lifestyles. Moreover, pupils get an opportunity to learn by observation.
The concept’s primary appeal is cultural landscape. Agritourism is known and well established in countries such as China, India, The Philippines, Canada and South Africa, among others. They have expended considerable effort in their initiatives and continue to reap the benefits. Activities include arranged tours to farm plantations such as tea, vineyards, cotton, rice plantations, and spice farms.
As agritourism gains more popularity and many farmers experience the persistent challenges of climate change, they are forced to diversify into other farming enterprises to keep their cash flow afloat. It is for some of these reasons and others that agritourism has emerged as a niche market and important form of tourism in developed and developing countries. Success stories abound. Taiwan, for example, recorded a 1,9% drop in its GDP but after establishing 173 farms, extensive rural development became evident. India, China and Kenya are reported to have a booming agritourism sector.
Various research studies indicate that agritourism is one of the subsectors of agriculture envisaged to grow rapidly in the next two decades. Its benefits include economic growth through employment creation, especially for local women; economic sustainability; a low carbon footprint; food security, regional community development; the conservation of wildlife and plant diversity; increased income; socially responsible tourism; and, networking.
As with any enterprise, adversity in agritourism cannot be ignored. Challenges include meeting recognised international hospitality standards, financial support and possible natural calamities.
However, the basic prerequisites to become an agritourism farmer are straightforward. They include a passion for agriculture and tourism, interpersonal skills, an authentic functional farm, social competence, functional competence and general entrepreneurial competence. Furthermore, it is crucial that entrepreneurs and farmers interested in venturing into this field are equipped with the relevant knowledge (innovation and product development), monetary and non-monetary support. These skills are necessary to ensure sustainability.
As a fast-growing sector, tourism has enabled Namibia to integrate culture and heritage as part of her strategy to attract more tourists, but agricultural products can be added to this mix. Through this concept, we have an opportunity to develop rural communities where agriculture is the main source of income. At present, it is practised by only a handful of farmers.
Agritourism has generally not been well marketed, or, in some cases, there has been minimal effort. It is thus imperative that local governing bodies – when doing regional strategic planning – consider and pave the way for agritourism as a business opportunity. Namibia should add other forms of tourism and aggressively consider agritourism as an emerging form of tourism that has the potential to help spur rural development.
The benefits outlined here and globally have yielded desirable results. Agritourism could be one of the solutions to many socio-economic problems, especially in rural areas. Moreover, it can also help mitigate rural-to-urban migration.
Namibia needs to unleash this viable niche market and unlock its potential to contribute to the economic development of our country.
