Agriculture and tourism play a huge role for our country, which is why farm tourism in the Philippines has begun booming. Dubbed as the country’s sunrise industry, farm tourism is a logical and refreshing new addition to the list of projects that generate additional income for Filipino farmers. It has also perfectly catered to the rising interest of many people to partake in the production of healthy food with their families.
By combining agriculture and tourism, the food farming industry has slowly opened more inclusive and sustainable opportunities for not only farmers, but institutions nationwide. Today, as food farm tourism continues to become a growing sub-sector of tourism, legislators and experts alike have turned their heads to develop the industry. Still, not everyone is familiar with farm tourism and its benefits.
In this article, we talk about farm tourism in the Philippines–from its importance to the many activities you can try when visiting these tourist farms.
What is Farm Tourism?
Farm tourism is the business of attracting visitors to farm areas generally for educational and recreational purposes while encouraging economic activities that can provide both the farm and community additional income. The most famous example of farm tourism in the Philippines is perhaps the La Trinidad Strawberry Farm in Benguet. However, as a rising industry, more and more farms have started opening their gates to tourists.
There are many farm tourism activities that can be experienced when visiting rural farms. Children and adults alike can feed animals, collect eggs, do nature-based arts and crafts, try horseback riding, hike, eat meals with freshly cut vegetables, pick fruits and harvest vegetables, try new varieties of fruit juice or wine, create community-based products, or even stay overnight in the area. The activities vary, depending on the farm that is visited.
These quaint farms offer a charming change of pace from the hustle and bustle of urban living. Make no mistake–these farms are absolutely gorgeous still! Some can even be used as an intimate wedding venue for the introverted couple.
The Benefits of Farm Tourism
Sen. Cynthia A. Villar, chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food, views farm tourism as one of the Philippines’ sunshine industries that can be pursued because of the agricultural nature of our economy.
She noted that farmers and fishermen need to diversify and supplement their agricultural incomes, and farm tourism is one creative way to achieve this goal. As a show of her support and enthusiasm for such projects, Villar continues to work on vital legislation and amendments to existing laws to complement this growing subsector of the tourism industry. She has even launched a farm tourism book to provide more information about the industry. It would seem that farmers somehow share this view as many farmers-turned-farm tourism operators reported that they were earning from this newfound activity more than from their usual harvest during a Senate hearing.
International School of Sustainable Tourism (ISST) President and Project Director Dr. Mina Gabor also supports the industry, stating that farm tourism camps focus on low-impact travel and empower local communities socially and economically.
“Farm tourism attracts visitors and travelers to farm areas, generally for educational and recreational purposes that encourage economic activity to provide farm and community income,” she said of the benefits of farm tourism.
Aside from the economic impact of farm sites, farm tourism sites also help promote tourism and products of the area, especially those produced and manufactured by the rural industries. This is a common practice worldwide. In fact, some of the famous tourist spots in Europe and the US are farms.
In Costa Rica, a famous coffee plantation has eventually put up one of the world’s best ecolodges where you can stay and wake up the morning after to visit the plantation and try your hand in picking coffee berries. It also has a wonderful restaurant that serves its famous varieties of coffee, sells soaps made from coffee, and other farm products.
In Italy you can rent a cottage situated in the middle of the farm. If you want to cook your own meal, it can provide the ingredients, like fruits and vegetables, that you can pick just outside your doorstep.
A common factor among these farms, no matter where they are located, is that many jobs and revenues generated for the community are sourced from this activity.
Farm Tourism in the Philippines
Farm tourism has spread nationwide and is slowly becoming a steady source of income and development. It is no longer confined to the usual tourist spots, but even in rural areas. Of course, farm tourism in Nueva Ecija and other agricultural regions are flourishing.
There are around 100 or more accredited and nonaccredited farm-tourism sites in the country, ranging from micro, small, medium and large sizes. Some of the most successful tourist farms, also called farm camps, in the country include: Sunflower Farms in Ligao City, Albay province; Rapha Valley in Don Salvador Benedicto town, Negros Occidental province; Dragon Fruit Farm in Burgos municipality, Ilocos Norte province; Dasoland in Dasol town, Pangasinan province; and the Disneyworld of Farming Systems of the Mindanao Baptist Rural Life Center Foundation Inc. in Bansalan municipality, Davao del Sur province. To date, there are still some developers and small businesses owners who are converting their old farms into farm camps as well.
Aside from Sen. Villar’s initiatives, President Aquino also signed Republic Act 10816, or the Farm Tourism Development Act of 2016. Under the new law, a Farm Tourism Development Board shall be established to formulate plans and programs for the development and promotion of farm tourism in the country and shall set the overall direction for the implementation of the Farm Tourism Strategic Action Plan. At present, the current administration has expressed a desire to focus on both agriculture and tourism.
Answering Why Farm Tourism is Important: Agriculture and Tourism
It’s no secret that rural economic conditions aren’t the best. Farmers and fishermen, more importantly, have very small earnings. Tourist farms and farm camps provide a creative way for Filipino farmers, fishermen, and agricultural workers to earn more without upending their daily routine and jobs.
The rising industry is still that–rising. However, with a little push and more education, farm tourism can be the answer to economic and cultural development in rural sectors. Time and effort will only tell the end results.
Image credits: Joel C. Paredes