Farms as tourist spots

MANILA, Philippines - Local and foreign tourists interested in experiencing life on a farm first hand may soon add farm visits to their travel itinerary after House Bill 3745 becomes the Farm Tourism Act.

“Milking cows, fruit-picking, harvesting vegetables, fishing, horseback riding, watching butterflies, tending bees, tasting wines or juices, and sight-seeing are just some of the exciting recreational and educational activities tourists can do in a farm tourist spots,”  HB 3745 author AAMBIS-Owa Rep. Sharon Garin said.

Garin said farms could  be viable tourism destinations after the Farm Tourism Act is signed into law.

“The fusion of tourism and agriculture will benefit both sectors as it will boost the country’s economy by improving the income and potential economic viability of small farms and rural communities,” Garin said.

The House Committee on Tourism concluded the hearing on HB 3745 last August, after consultations  with farm owners, tourism officers, agriculture experts,  and other stakeholders and government officials.

Street food vendor turned millionaire-farm owner Desiree Duran said she is living proof that farm tourism is a viable economic venture.

It was 2001 when Duran first embarked on planting off-season vegetables. Over the years, her backyard farm grew into a 3.6 hectare farm land now known as Duran Farm.

Duran Farm, located in San Ildefonso, Bulacan, is a known farm tourism destination in Luzon where local and foreign visitors go to learn about best practices in vegetable production.

Her farm also serves as venue for private companies who are conducting their seminars and training for their clients.

University of South Eastern Philippines professor Fernando Magdato Jr. believes agri-tourism could  encourage farmers to preserve their lands and prevent agri-land conversions, as well as help promote food security in the country.

The bill seeks to create a Philippine Farm Tourism Industry Development Coordinating Council under the Department of Tourism to ensure the development and promotion of farm tourism in the country.

Farm tourism is already a thriving industry in many parts of the world with each country having their unique selling points.

An example is the sweet potato, tea and pomelo farm tourism industry in Taiwan.

Malaysians have coconut farms for tourists. In Indonesia, orange-picking tours are well-known. In Japan, rice farm tours are also  renowned.