Agri-tourism History has been made with the support of the IICA Delegation in Guyana
The IICA Delegation in Guyana played an integral role as a member of the planning committee for Agri-tourism week 2019. Under the theme “Linking Agriculture and Tourism for a Green Economy”. Guyana hosted its first ever Agri-tourism Week during October 27 – November 2, 2019.
The week’s activities culminated with an Agri-tourism Expo and Stakeholders Business Forum which was held at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre on November 1, 2019. This event offered an opportunity for stakeholders and development partners, to take stock of their collective efforts to promote sustainable Agri-tourism and the challenges that may exist.
Mr. Wilmot Garnett, IICA Representative in Guyana, delivered the featured address. In his address he congratulated the Government of Guyana and the Ministries of Agriculture and Business for undertaking the initiative. He posited that it was “bold and timely”. He also recognized the hard work and commitment that preceded the event.
Mr. Garnett highlighted that IICA has vast experiences in this sector and has supported similar initiatives, one such being the Caribbean Tourism Organisation Sustainable Awards which honors those who have been innovative in Agri-tourism.
The week long activities played a critical role in furthering the national dialogue on Agri-tourism, especially given the clear mandate set forth by the Ministers of Agriculture and Tourism in 2016. Hon. Noel Holder as Minister of Agriculture and Mrs. Cathy Hughes as the then Minister of Tourism signed a Cooperation Agreement for the development of an Agri-tourism Sector in Guyana. The purpose of the Agreement was to establish a framework that combines the expertise of the two (2) Ministries to develop Agriculture with the Tourist in mind. The first fruit of that Cooperation Agreement was the Coconut Festival held in October 2016.
Resulting from the engagements, there has been a consensus for the need to develop an action plan leading to a policy for Agri-tourism in Guyana, which IICA will develop.
"Agriculture...priority for the sustainable development of Guyana".
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Agriculture… priority for the sustainable development of Guyana