TACLOBAN
CITY, June 7 (PNA) -– The Department of Agriculture (DA) in the region welcomes
the formal institutionalization of farm tourism through the signing of Republic
Act (RA) No. 10816 or the Farm Tourism Development Act of 2016.
DA Eastern
Visayas Regional Director Leo Cañeda said the bill has been long overdue, and
its signing by President Benigno Aquino on May 16, 2016, will formalize the
establishment of linkages and maximize the benefits of agriculture and tourism
by promoting environment-friendly and sustainable farm practices, providing
alternative recreation facilities and farm tourism activities, and promoting
health and wellness with high-quality farm-produced food.
Under RA
10816, farm tourism is defined as “the practice of attracting visitors and
tourists to farm areas for production, educational and recreational purposes.
It involves
any agricultural or fishery-based operation or activity that brings to a farm
visitors, tourists, farmers and fisherfolk who want to be educated and trained
on farming and its related activities, and provides a venue for outdoor recreation
and accessible family outings.”
Cañeda said
Eastern Visayas will benefit most from the newly-signed law as the region
depend much on agriculture for its livelihood.
Farm tourism
will become a tool to attract visitors and tourists to farm areas for production,
educational and recreational purposes.
He added
that farm tourism can help address the problem concerning urban migration by
encouraging farmers to stay in their community instead of moving to the cities,
thereby supporting rural development.
The bill
provides for a Farm Tourism Strategic Action that would be integrated with the
National Tourism Development Plan.
The action
plan shall include investment promotion and financing, market research, trends,
innovations, and information; accreditation of farm tourism camps, institution
and human resource development, and infrastructure development.
Accreditation
of farm tourism camps shall be on a voluntary basis and shall be valid for two
years. However, accreditation may be suspended or revoked for any violation of
the standards.
Under the
new law, a Farm Tourism Development Board shall be composed of the Tourism
Secretary as the chairperson; Agriculture Secretary as the vice chairperson
while members include the Trade Secretary; the president of an educational
institution providing farm tourism programs; the president of a national farm
tourism organization; the president of a national inbound tour operations
association and the president of a national federation of farmers cooperatives.
LAP/SQM/AHLETTE C. REYES/EGR
No comments:
Post a Comment