“My advocacy for farm tourism is to bring back love of farming,” Cong. Edgar Chatto said, speaking at the opening program of the 7th Philippine Farm Tourism on February 26.
The first district congressman challenged farm tourism practitioners, enthusiasts, experts to bring the young generation to the farms.
In particular, he cited not only the production aspect but more importantly the process of learning as well as the values that the youth are able to pick up.
Environmental protection, preservation and care must remain a priority, Chatto stressed.
This he said is central to Bohol’s development path with agriculture and tourism as its main economic drivers.
The conference, organized by the International School for Sustainable Tourism, gathered over 300 farm tourism industry stakeholders for 3 days.
Fruits and vegetables, aquaculture and artisanal fisheries and green investments were the topics that centered on the theme “Farm Tourism: Consciousness for Healthy Living and New Experiences.”
Farm tourism is the only specialized sector of the tourism industry that is supported by the passage of Republic Act 10816 or the Development and Promotion of Farm Tourism.
According to the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), the Philippines is among the world’s top farm tourism destinations in the world.
In Bohol, farm tourism was launched as early as 2014.