Agroecology Leads To Rural Tourism

By Steve Ephraem

AGROECOLOGY can be simply referred as the farming that brings higher yields but paying attention to conservation of the ecosystem or the surrounding. Living and non-living organism such as vegetation, forestry, atmosphere, wildlife, soil, natural landscapes like mountains, water bodies and micro-organisms come to mind whenever one is practising agroecology.

According to United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), rural tourism is “a type of tourism activity in which the visitor’s experience is related to a wide range of products generally linked to nature-based activities, agriculture, rural lifestyle /culture, angling and sightseeing.”

It further indicates that “rural tourism activities take place in non-urban (rural) areas with the following characteristics: (i) low population density, (ii) landscape and land-use dominated by agriculture and forestry and (iii) traditional social structure and lifestyle.”

Agroecology is very popular in rural areas where farmers practise climate sensitive agriculture which reduce destruction of the environs. Agroecological farmers use organic methods to grow seed. This reduces the killing of living organisms.

Since agroecology emphasises sustainable farming practises that promote biodiversity, it therefore draw tourist who are interested in nature and sustainable living.

Agroecological farms usually acts as educational sites where exchange learning tourism takes place. Visitors come to exchange knowledge on sustainable farming, organic agriculture and environmental conservation. PORET Centre at Chaseyama in Chimanimani is one such a learning centre where Agroecological exchange tourism takes place.

Zimbabwe is working towards placing itself as a key player in the Meetings, Incentives, Conferencing and Exhibitions (MICE) tourism in the Southern African region. Agroecological farms also offer facilities for training workshops and meetings, thus promoting MICE tourism.

Villages and communities surrounding Agroecological farms benefit by supplying traditional food and drink, crafts, culture and heritage.

In Chimanimani, a lot of agroecology practise is taking place. Agroecological farmers are affiliated to organisations which include PORET, TSURO, CELUCT, Viable Action, Valley of Hope, Farmers’ Development Organisation, ZIMSOFF and others. PELUM Zimbabwe is the secretariat for these organisations.

Every year, Agroecological farmers hold food and seed festivals at village, district and national level. On 4 and 5 September 2024, farmers converged at Chakohwa High School to celebrate good seed and food. It was funded by PELUM Zimbabwe and host by PORET in association with TSURO, CELUCT and Zivakwawakabva.

Scores of Agroecological tourists descended onto Chakohwa to experience the event. It had an attendance of more than 2,000 people who came to consume local culture, dishes and music. This was rural tourism as well as gastronomy tourism at play.

On 13 and 14 September, Agroecology farmers from all parts of Zimbabwe gathered at Harare Botanical Gardens for the national Good Food and Seed Festival. The 13 September farmer’s indaba was MICE at play.

There is no doubt that agroecology and tourism are inseparable, and that agroecology leads to tourism.