The Department of Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, during a press conference in Tagaytay City commended farm tourism as new area where agriculture can prosper and increase contribution to gross domestic products. Agriculture is currently contributing a mere 9% to the country’s GDP.
The Secretary is very much confident on the potentials of farm tourism to further boost agricultural growth in the country, having served as undersecretary of the Department of Agriculture before she took the helm of the tourism department. Farm tourism is in line with the Farm Tourism Development Act of 2016 that promotes environment-friendly, efficient and sustainable farm practices; provide recreation facilities and farm tourism activities with high-quality farm-produce. Also read related article: Farm Tourism law a boost to agricultural.....
The Local Initiatvies
Baao, an agricultural community, may fare well in farm tourism if it is given attention and assistance, especially, by the local government administration. A land of palm trees, the municipality has aplenty of material resources needed in developing agri-based products. The local government need to bank in its rich and vast farmlands, both upland and lowland, and develop them into agri-tourism destinations. There is a need to promote and encourage local farmers to venture into High Value Crops.
Coconut and cacao farming and their by-products need to be assisted financially, logistically and technologically. Heirloom varieties of cacao are endemic in the Bicol region, and are now in demand at local and international market. However, cacao industry in the region remains an underground, home-base industry. The idea, as I heard it being proposed, of erecting life-size statue of "Passion of the Cross" will not sit well with the present thrust of the national government in promoting eco-tourism in the region. I cannot reconcile the thought of erecting superficial life-size statues in a natural environment which is the very concept of eco-tourism. Personally, I find it contradictory. Focus on farm tourism first.
Getting the Acts Together It will not be starting from the scratch. The Bismonte Farm in Sta. Cruz is a good start up, that is, politics aside. With a very rich experience in organic farming, the technology can be expanded to other communities, especially in upland communities where there are plenty of lands ideal for medium and large scale plantation. This could serve as additional income for their families and the communities. Community-based farm tourism should be encouraged in line with the call for inclusive development.
The Local Government Unit should play active role in setting up these kind of initiatives- again politics and personal interest aside. However, caution should be observed in dealing with community-based initiatives. The practice of imposing what the LGU (authority) wants to be done, as against what the community has been doing and intends to do to further upscale their farm production, tends to contribute significantly to the failure of proposed community initiatives.
The local tourism and the agriculture offices need to put their acts together. Auxiliary and support offices should also do the same. The prevailing attitude of "kayo-kayo, kami-kami" among LGU offices hinder effective delivery of development services to communities. Note: This is not a paid advertisement. The publisher/author is not connected, in anyway, to the Bismonte Farm. Acknowledgment is extended to the owner of Bismonte farm for the use of the photo.
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