By Wilson Chafutsa
Agritourism is a type of experiential travel.
It involves engaging in activities during your trip or holiday, allowing you to experience the country or destination more deeply than if you simply visited for relaxation.
More specifically, agritourism encompasses activities related to agriculture.
Agritourism includes tourism activities that take place on a rural farm, orchard, vineyard or another agricultural venue. It represents the intersection of tourism and agriculture.
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Rural landowners invite visitors to participate in activities such as camping, wine tasting or berry picking on their farms, ranches, orchards and vineyards to generate revenue.
Agritourism has the potential to help revitalise rural economies, educate the public about agriculture and preserve agricultural heritage.
When conducted properly, agritourism can be a sustainable travel option. It can create economic diversification for farms, foster cultural connections and help connect people with agriculture and the natural environment.
Farmers may operate large ranches with cattle or horses, specialising in tourist activities such as camping and horseback riding; these are likely to generate agritourism income.
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Farms in remote rural areas are more likely to participate in agritourism but those near urban areas tend to have higher agritourism revenue.
Farms close to urban centres also see higher local food sales, which can be promoted t h r o u g h agritourism.
Farms and ranches with cattle and horses have a greater likelihood of implementing agritourism. Horses, in particular, are associated with higher-value agritourism enterprises, such as dude ranches (ranches specialising in tourist activities, including camping and horseback riding).
Tourists will visit the farm, admire beautiful herbs and flowers, and ride horses.
Some farms may grow natural fruits that are being forgotten. In the past, we had a wide range of fruits such as katope, mbula, maula, nthengere, masuku and psipsa, among others.
If these are planted and preserved on a local farm, tourists will visit on weekends to taste these local fruits.
This experience will be nutritious and interesting for the younger generation, serving as preserved history for the nation.
Fruit picking and honey tasting are enjoyable activities in themselves.
Agritourism farms also feature dams and ponds where tourists may go fishing. For some, fishing is a hobby.
Creating more fishing ponds and dams will encourage agritourism.
A wide range of fish species can be raised in these bodies of water, providing children with the opportunity to learn about various fish species available in Malawi.
At a young age, children can be exposed to nature conservation strategies that are essential for the country. Vegetables such as pumpkins can form an attractive agritourism offering in other countries. Farms with pumpkin patches create beautiful scenes for tourists.
Pumpkins of different sizes and colours provide an appealing experience for visitors, whether they are local or imported.
Such tourist farms should be equipped with all necessary facilities, including good roads, farmhouses (rest houses and lodges) that offer bed-and breakfast options and camping facilities.
Agritourism should encompass both economic and social components. Interacting with landowners or agricultural labourers can provide a cultural and educational experience that connects non-farmers to their food sources. Zoos can also be part of agritourism.
They can be situated closer to ranches, beehives, fish ponds and dams, offering tourists a wider range of sightseeing opportunities. Many families have little to do during weekends.
If agritourism were developed, it would provide families with activities to enjoy during their weekends, enhancing their experience while boosting tourism in the country.
We have our beautiful lake and stunning national parks.
However, as an agricultural nation, we can explore agritourism further and benefit economically from it. We also have natural flowers and herbs that can attract tourists.
