Caribbean’s First Agritourism Policy and Roadmap Unveiled

Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha.

A New Era for Guyana’s Agritourism Sector

After extensive discussions, the draft for the Caribbean’s first agritourism policy and roadmap was unveiled on Friday. The document, compiled by the Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce and the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), provides a strategic framework for funding and developing Guyana’s emerging agritourism sector.

Opportunities for Growth

The initiative is expected to open numerous development and employment opportunities for farmers, small businesses, and rural communities. Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha, who attended a national stakeholder meeting on Friday, said the advancement of the agritourism sector will significantly aid in furthering Guyana’s economic growth in non-oil sectors.

A Bold Vision for the Future

“The development in the agritourism sector and the development of an agritourism roadmap and policies is not just another initiative. It’s a bold vision for the future of Guyana,” he said.

Government Investments

Even though the policy was recently drafted, the government has been investing in enhancing agritourism experiences, including the construction of ecolodges, over the years.

Sustainable Practices

Minister of Tourism, Industry, and Commerce Oneidge Walrond said Guyana already has the necessary resources and locations to offer enjoyable agritourism experiences that align with international standards.

“What we have seen is that agritourism can bring in revenue, and it can also help us to preserve our culture and our environment,” she said.

Key Objectives

Beyond leveraging Guyana’s abundant agritourism assets, the policy aims to increase investments, create job opportunities, foster sustainable practices, and boost local food production.

Conclusion

The unveiling of the Caribbean’s first agritourism policy and roadmap marks a significant milestone for Guyana’s tourism industry. With its strategic framework for funding and development, the policy is expected to open up new opportunities for farmers, small businesses, and rural communities.

FAQs

* What is the Caribbean’s first agritourism policy and roadmap?
+ The policy is a strategic framework for funding and developing Guyana’s emerging agritourism sector.
* What are the objectives of the policy?
+ The policy aims to increase investments, create job opportunities, foster sustainable practices, and boost local food production.
* What has the government been investing in?
+ The government has been investing in enhancing agritourism experiences, including the construction of ecolodges.