Tourism has become one of the largest and fastest growing economic sectors in the world over the past few decades. Many developing countries have reconstructed their economy through the proper utilisation and management of the tourism industry.

Agro-tourism is a type of vacation in which hospitality may include the opportunity to assist with farming tasks during visits, where tourists have an opportunity to pick fruits and vegetables, ride horses, taste honey, shop in gift-shops and farm-stands for local and regional produce or hand-crafted gifts. Muga Eco village for example offers a unique and memorable experience suitable for the entire family. Uganda is a country of fertile land.

Over 80 percent of the people are dependent on agriculture. We have some agro-ecological zones suitable for sustainable farming. This is why we have established local farm with—poultry, goats, rabbits, cows, coffee and more because we believe it’s a lesson worth learning as to how one should go about farming in an eco-friendly way.

University and college students can also visit and spend their leisure time to try out organic farming in rural areas of Western Uganda. Students can likewise share their thoughts with farmers, teach them and gain indigenous knowledge from farmers in return. It is necessary now to cultivate our land in sustainable ways in order to have an organic future. Researchers and agro-tourists often share their experiences among indigenous farmers about climate change, global warming, crisis related to extract more ground water, arsenic pollution, importance of bio-fertilisers, etc.

Both parties—tourists and indigenous groups exchange knowledge on farming, importance of poultry manures in agriculture, etc. International and national agro-tourists can exchange views with local farmers on how to reduce climatic impacts on land, water, forest, health and fish resources.

Lastly, of course, the government can take up projects to represent the indigenous capacities of our farmers to protect land, environment and ecology, among international tourists, in order to attract them which may enrich our agro-tourism industry in return. The Bangladesh academy for rural development may take this opportunity to promote agro-tourism.

Agro-tourism is only one way of integrating local farmers in the process of reducing local climatic problems & poverty. It is something that we should seriously consider.

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