Govt embarks on agrotourism revolutionisation

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MBARARA - In an effort to diversify and enhance the tourism industry, the Government, through the tourism ministry, has intensified campaigns focused on community-based agrotourism for both domestic and foreign tourists.

This initiative aims to provide a varied range of tourist attractions, from community-based cultural and traditional artefacts to agrotourism, by empowering and promoting commercial farmers instead of relying solely on wildlife tracking.

This information was revealed during a four-day familiarization agrotourism tour in Lake Mburo National Park, Nshenyi Cultural Farm in Kitwe Town Council, Ntungamo District; Kabeihura Mixed Farm in Kyamuhunga, and Kabagarame Pork Market, all in Bushenyi District, as well as Emburara Farm Lodge in Mbarara City.

Eliab Muhoozi, Proprietor of Kabeihura Mixed Farm feeding his diary cows. (Photo by Adolf Ayoreka)

Tourism ministry undersecretary Geofrey Selemba, who represented Permanent Secretary Doreen Katusiime at the conclusion of the four-day agro-tourism tour in the Ankole region earlier this week, stated that the tour aimed to amplify the significant connection between agriculture and tourism, two sectors that form the backbone of Uganda’s economic resilience and growth.

"This trip was strategically organized to highlight and promote Uganda’s agrotourism potential, showcasing how agricultural practices and innovations can be integrated into tourism experiences. Agrotourism is an emerging frontier that diversifies Uganda’s tourism offerings beyond traditional wildlife safaris and cultural tours," Selemba said.

He emphasized the potential of agrotourism to complement tourism, noting that many agricultural practices serve as unique tourism attractions and experiences.

Selemba praised the critical role of the media in promoting the tourism sector, as it helps shape narratives and influence public perceptions about tourism. "The media plays a pivotal role in presenting stories that showcase the unique blend of agricultural practices and tourism in Uganda, inspiring both domestic and international tourists about how local communities' lives are being transformed through agriculture," he added.

He further highlighted that in the fiscal year 2022/2023, agriculture played a significant role in the economy, contributing approximately 24% to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

"Additionally, it accounted for 35% of the country’s total foreign exchange earnings, and about 58% of Uganda’s population is engaged in agriculture, making it diverse to promote agrotourism and expand the tax base," said Selemba.

Mary Mugyenyi, the director of Nshenyi Cultural Farm in Kitwe Town Council, Ntungamo District, and Uganda’s legislator to the East African Parliament, stated that it is high time for Uganda to shift its focus from solely wildlife to also prioritize agrotourism.

“Uganda’s tourism sector is not just about wildlife; we have a lot to offer, especially our cultural identity and our indigenous Ankole cows. However, Ugandans have not fully appreciated this domestically,” Mugyenyi said.

She added, “We want to take pride in our origins and identity while also providing a variety of tourism activities beyond wildlife. Some foreigners who visit our country specifically come to see our Ankole cows, and they really like them.”

Mugyenyi expressed concern about the Ankole cattle facing extinction as they are being replaced by exotic breeds.

“As the population grows, the land area keeps decreasing, which has forced people to replace our indigenous breeds with exotic ones for dairy production. We are worried that future generations will not find these indigenous breeds,” she said.

Eliab Muhoozi, the managing director of Kabeihura Mixed Farm, emphasized that for the government to maximize agro-tourism benefits, it needs to subsidize agricultural inputs, including machinery, as they are capital-intensive.

Muhoozi, who runs a dairy farm and practices fish farming and tea farming, noted that they have been striving for a tea policy to revitalize the sector, but their efforts have been unsuccessful.

“Tea is a crucial crop in East Africa, yet we lack a policy in Uganda to guide production. In countries like Kenya, tea generates the highest foreign exchange, but here we cannot produce for international markets. How can we promote agro-tourism when our sector is struggling?” Muhoozi said.

Regarding attracting tourists to his farm, Muhoozi explained that his farm has already begun attracting domestic tourists, especially students who come to learn better methods of commercial farming, yogurt making, fishing practices, and poultry rearing.

“I’m fortunate that my farm is located near the Bushenyi-Kasese highway, and tourists often pass by on their way to Queen Elizabeth National Park to see what we do at the farm for a fee. The challenge now is that I don’t have accommodation for them,” he added.

He hopes that once he establishes accommodation, his farm will be able to attract more local and foreign tourists.