Caribbean Agrotourism Development Initiatives & Opportunities Agrotourism Unit - Barbados Roxanne Waithe

Overview IICA/OAS Agrotourism Project Caribbean agrotourism initiatives Opportunities for growth Critical issues for development IICA Agrotourism Strategy

WHAT IS AGROTOURISM? Agrotourism refers to any activity, enterprise or business that links agriculture with products, services and experiences in tourism.

DIMENSIONS OF AGROTOURISM Health & Wellness Tourism Community Tourism Farm-Based Tourism Culinary Tourism Agro-trade (Agribusiness) Agro-Heritage Tourism

WHAT IS AGROTOURISM? Agrotourism Product Portfolio Fixed AttractionsEventsServices Historic Plantations Agricultural museums Village rum shops Herb/Exotic Gardens Produce & Craft Markets Agricultural fairs Local festivals Special events Farm tours Rural Bed & Breakfast Spas Alternative medicines Agro-processing Agro-trade with Tourism Operators

OAS FUNDED AGROTOURISM PROJECT

IICA/OAS AGROTOURISM PROJECT GOAL OF THE PROJECT Promote increased linkages between Tourism and Agriculture that will create economic opportunities, build resilience in rural communities and enhance the sustainable development of both the tourism and agriculture industries

IICA/OAS AGROTOURISM PROJECT PARTICIPATING COUNTRIES Barbados Dominica Guyana Jamaica St. Kitts & Nevis Suriname Trinidad & Tobago

IICA/OAS AGROTOURISM PROJECT OAS COMMITTMENT US$444,000 over three years to be equally disbursed among seven participating countries. IICA Barbados – Executive Office charged with implementing program Mrs. Ena Harvey – Hemispheric Specialist, Agrotourism, IICA

IICA/OAS AGROTOURISM PROJECT PROGRAMME ACTIVITIES YEAR 1 ( ) Agrotourism Inventory of products and services Survey Data on demand and supply Case Studies and Videos covering at least 30 Success stories and Best Practices

IICA/OAS AGROTOURISM PROJECT PROGRAMME ACTIVITIES YEAR 2 (April 2007 – March 2008) Diagnostic Tool for assessment of agrotourism initiatives Business modules for agrotourism investment opportunities On-site training and reciprocal visits between tourism industry personnel and rural communities across countries

IICA/OAS AGROTOURISM PROJECT PROGRAMME ACTIVITIES YEAR 3 (April 2008 – March 2009) A Marketing and Promotional programme will be designed and implemented. A Website for Caribbean Agrotourism products and services An Action Plan for the sustained development of Agrotourism Linkages

Caribbean Agrotourism Initiatives Country snapshots

AGROTOURISM SNAPSHOT: BARBADOS FARM TO TABLE PROGRAM – TASTE OF BARBADOS Farmers and Competing Chefs partner for Best Big Bajan BBQ

AGROTOURISM SNAPSHOT: BARBADOS GAPS & HACCP TRAINING FOR AGRICULTURAL & TOURISM WORKERS

AGROTOURISM SNAPSHOT: BARBADOS FARM BASED TOURISM DEVELOPMENT

AGROTOURISM SNAPSHOT: DOMINICA 3 RIVERS ECOLODGE – AGRO-ECOTOURISM MODEL Stay on the farm Visit organic herb farm or dasheen & root vegetable farm Help out in the local village primary school Coffee and cocoa picking Learn & DO traditional farming methods

AGROTOURISM SNAPSHOT: DOMINICA MACOUHERIE AGRO-HERITAGE PROJECT

AGROTOURISM SNAPSHOT: DOMINICA The JTAS Experience Waitukubuli – Kalinago Heritage Village Culinary & rum tours Rainforest tours & hikes Health & Wellness - bubbling sulphur mud baths

AGROTOURISM SNAPSHOT: GUYANA COMMUNITY TOURISM PROJECT – NORTH WEST ORGANICS Organic cocoa & chocolate stick production Commercialization of cassava products into cassava bread & casareep Collection & processing of seed from the crabwood tree into therapeutic oils & creams Tree regeneration program for heart of palm tree

AGROTOURISM SNAPSHOT: GUYANA

AGROTOURISM SNAPSHOT: JAMAICA EU FUNDED BUFF BAY AGROTOURISM PROJECT Camp site Hiking Farm stays Maroon heritage site Coffee tours Bee keeping tours Community events

AGROTOURISM SNAPSHOT: JAMAICA TELEPHONE Area covered by Land line service - (Cable & Wireless) Tranquility – Charles Town - Gap in potable water supply (no operational supply lines) Key: Village (Small district) Town/Community

BUFF BAY ISSUES

AGROTOURISM SNAPSHOT: St. KITTS & NEVIS The Nevis Growers Association, which involves 25 rural families, has a long standing arrangement with the Four Seasons Hotel since St. Kitts Farmers’ Cooperative Society (SFCS) recently signed an MOU with the largest hotel, St. Kitts Marriott to supply agreed quantities of vegetables/fruits on a regular basis (November 2007)

AGROTOURISM SNAPSHOT: ST. KITTS & NEVIS FARM BASED TOURISM DEVELOPMENT CADES BAY – 40 ACRES OF AGRICULTURAL LAND Farm tour Restaurant Produce Market

AGROTOURISM SNAPSHOT: SURINAME Agrotourism Project – Bergendal Eco & Cultural River Resort Project consists of two components: 45 Lodges along the Suriname River Heritage Village & Historical Trail

AGROTOURISM SNAPSHOT: TRINIDAD & TOBAGO TOCO FOUNDATION – AGROTOURISM MODEL Farmers Training Institute Hospitality & Accommodation Centre Turtle protection Eco-tours Environmental Protection

Opportunities for growth

Agro-trade – special produce Goodfellows Farm –Nassau, Bahamas Supplies mini- greens for hotels

Agro-trade – Farmers’ Markets Community based markets Public markets Not just for fruits & vegetables. It’s an attraction!

Agro-processing: tourism sector Food & Beverage – Signature foods Juices, bar mixes Bottled coconut water Herbal teas Frozen seafood & vegetables Baked goods Jams, jellies, sauces

Agro-processing: tourism sector Hospitality Services Manufacture of ‘natural’ mosquito repellants Manufacture of local confection for turn-down service Local gift baskets Local crafts for gifts, souvenirs or in-room decor

Agro-heritage: Investment in the Old Agriculture Sugar Museums Life on Cocoa & Coffee Plantations

Culinary tourism – unique experiences Village cook shops Food stalls (roadside) Rum shops Food festivals

Farm-based Tourism Farm tours Farm stays

AGRICULTURE TOURISM NO AGROTOURISM POLICY COMPETITION FOR LAND USE HOTEL IMPORTS - FOOD NEED FOR AGRI-PRENEURS CHALLENGES FOR AGROTOURISM DEVELOPMENT

1.Establish National Agrotourism Committees in each member state 2.Promote formulation of agrotourism policies for each member state 3.Provide technical support through training, research and community engagement 4.Establish a Caribbean Agrotourism Resource Centre IICA CARIBBEAN AGROTOURISM STRATEGY

AGROTOURISM UNIT - BARBADOS Roxanne Waithe IICA Barbados Tel: /1/2