WORLD AGRITOURISM ORGANISATION CALLS FOR CLIMATE-SMART AGRICULTURE, RENEWABLE ENERGY AND INVESTMENT AS 2027 WORLD AGRITOURISM DAY TAKES SHAPE
....WAO unveils vision for integrated agritourism development linking agriculture, clean energy, tourism, food processing and investment
.....global PPP framework targets sustainable rural development, climate resilience, energy access and value-chain investment
...proposed World Agritourism Centre in Benue positioned as potential hub for agro-processing, renewable energy, tourism and international investment
By Hypenews Reports
The World Agritourism Organisation (WAO) has called for stronger international collaboration and investment in climate-smart agriculture, renewable energy, agro-processing, tourism and rural infrastructure, as preparations intensify for the 2027 World Agritourism Day scheduled for May 16, 2027.
The call was made at World Press Conference 2.0, held in Abuja on Friday, October 2, 2026, under the theme:
“Smart Climate Agritourism for Sustainable Development — SDGs Vision 2030.”
The conference brought together representatives of government, diplomatic institutions, private-sector stakeholders, development partners, agricultural and tourism interests, and the media to review preparations for the 2027 global observance and present the emerging investment opportunities within the agritourism sector.
Speaking at the conference, Amb. Arc. Trust Henry Ogboi, President of the World Agritourism Organisation and Global Lead Advocate of the UNWAO Advocacy Initiative, said the organisation was advancing a broader vision of agritourism that connects agriculture with tourism, technology, energy, investment, food security, employment and sustainable rural development.
According to him, the 2027 World Agritourism Day is expected to provide a platform for countries and stakeholders to showcase practical solutions to climate change, food insecurity, unemployment, rural poverty and environmental degradation.
The WAO leadership emphasised the importance of renewable energy and energy-efficient technologies in developing modern agritourism destinations and agricultural value chains.
The organisation's smart-climate agritourism vision encompasses the use of technology, renewable energy, climate-resilient farming, food processing, digital innovation, sustainable tourism and community-based enterprise development.
Such an integrated approach could support rural communities by reducing dependence on unreliable energy sources while creating opportunities for solar-powered irrigation, cold storage, agro-processing, hospitality facilities, digital services, water systems and other productive-use energy applications.
The conference therefore positioned agritourism as more than a tourism concept, describing it as a potential multi-sector economic platform connecting energy, agriculture, tourism, logistics, manufacturing, technology and investment.
A major focus of the conference was the proposed World Agritourism Centre at Orifa Itakpa, Obi Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria.
The proposed centre is envisioned as the headquarters of the UNWAO Advocacy Initiative and as an integrated destination for:
- Agriculture and agribusiness;
- Climate-smart farming;
- Renewable and clean-energy applications;
- Food processing and value addition;
- Tourism and hospitality;
- Research and innovation;
- Skills development and education;
- Logistics and trade;
- Investment promotion; and
- Community empowerment.
The initiative seeks to create a platform where farmers, investors, governments, development institutions, technology companies, tourism operators and international markets can interact within an integrated development ecosystem.
Prof. Edwin Nnamji Ozuzu, Chairman of the Global Public-Private Partnership Cooperation Framework and Guest Speaker at the conference, described the proposed centre as an opportunity to demonstrate how public-private partnerships, responsible investment and community participation can translate agricultural and tourism potential into measurable economic development.
Prof. Ozuzu issued a strong appeal to international financial institutions, development finance institutions, banks, investment funds, agricultural finance institutions, tourism investors and responsible private-sector organisations to explore opportunities emerging from the agritourism platform.
He called on stakeholders to:
“LET US PARTNER. LET US INVEST. LET US SPONSOR. LET US BUILD TOGETHER.”
He said investment opportunities should extend beyond traditional tourism infrastructure to include renewable energy, agricultural production, food processing, logistics, hospitality, technology, rural infrastructure, skills development and community enterprises.
According to him, agritourism should increasingly be regarded as a development and investment sector, rather than simply an event or tourism attraction.
The conference also renewed the call for the global institutionalisation and annual recognition of May 16 as World Agritourism Day.
The WAO and UNWAO Advocacy Initiative said the proposed annual observance would provide a permanent international platform for governments, farmers, tourism organisations, investors, development institutions, communities, academia and civil society to promote:
- Sustainable agriculture;
- Food security;
- Climate-smart farming;
- Rural development;
- Renewable-energy solutions;
- Youth and women's economic participation;
- Cultural heritage;
- Responsible tourism;
- Agricultural and tourism investment;
- Research and technology exchange; and
- Achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
The advocacy is expected to continue through diplomatic engagement, international consultations, institutional partnerships and appropriate multilateral processes.
The Global PPP Cooperation Framework said the WAO currently has an expanding international network involving more than 20 member countries, while mobilisation and international engagement are extending to a wider group of countries for the 2027 celebration.
Countries including Uganda, Kenya, Ghana and Zimbabwe, among others, are reportedly engaging with the initiative towards the 2027 World Agritourism Day.
The initiative is powered by International Tourist Choice Ltd. under a Global Public-Private Partnership Cooperation Framework and builds upon its inauguration by the Presidency through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
The conference also highlighted progress on the Nigerian International Agritourism Village Project, including the flagship project proposed for Karishi South in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, alongside the proposed World Agritourism Centre in Benue State.
Amb. Arc. Trust Henry Ogboi announced that the host community had provided relevant transfer documentation for the Benue project and that the Deed of Assignment was scheduled for formal execution, subject to applicable legal and statutory requirements.
The conference also recognised the prospective participation of Graceview Homes and Properties Ltd. as an intending developer and development partner for the World Agritourism Centre Project.
The speakers stressed that the future of agritourism must move beyond agricultural production alone to the development of complete value chains.
These could include:
Farming → Renewable Energy → Processing → Storage → Logistics → Hospitality → Tourism → Markets → Investment.
Such integration, the conference noted, could help reduce post-harvest losses, create employment, improve rural productivity and develop commercially viable destinations capable of attracting domestic and international investment.
The WAO's smart-climate approach therefore places emphasis on the intersection of energy security, food security, climate resilience and economic development.
Prof. Ozuzu said the 2027 World Agritourism Day should not be treated simply as another annual celebration but as a platform for concrete international action and investment.
He called for a transition:
From policy to implementation.
From farms to value chains.
From rural communities to global markets.
From climate vulnerability to climate resilience.
From unemployment to productive enterprise.
From isolated projects to international partnerships.
From annual celebration to permanent global institutional recognition.
Prof. Ozuzu also used the occasion to commend Amb. Arc. Trust Henry Ogboi for his continued advocacy for agritourism and the proposed global institutionalisation of World Agritourism Day.
He described the WAO President's efforts as an ambitious attempt to establish a lasting international platform connecting agriculture, tourism, investment, climate resilience, community development and international cooperation.
The commendation also coincided with Amb. Ogboi's birthday on October 2.
Prof. Ozuzu extended birthday congratulations on behalf of the Global Public-Private Partnership Cooperation Framework and stakeholders represented at the conference.
The WAO called on governments, diplomatic missions, international organisations, development agencies, financial institutions, investors, farmers, tourism operators, technology companies and communities to participate in developing the emerging agritourism ecosystem.
The organisation said partnerships could take the form of investment, sponsorship, technical cooperation, grants, knowledge exchange, capacity building, renewable-energy deployment, infrastructure development and other appropriate forms of support.
The World Press Conference 2.0 reinforced the WAO's position that smart climate agritourism can become a practical instrument for sustainable development, particularly when agriculture, renewable energy, tourism, technology, investment and community development are integrated.
The organisation is therefore urging stakeholders to support preparations for May 16, 2027 — World Agritourism Day, while strengthening international advocacy for its permanent global recognition.
The proposed World Agritourism Centre at Orifa Itakpa, Obi LGA, Benue State, is expected to form part of this broader vision as a potential demonstration platform for sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, tourism, investment, innovation and community development.
The message from the conference was clear:
LET US PARTNER.
LET US INVEST.
LET US SPONSOR.
LET US INSTITUTIONALISE.
LET US BUILD A SUSTAINABLE AGRITOURISM FUTURE TOGETHER.
ONE WORLD • ONE AGRITOURISM • ENDLESS IMPACT.
HYPENEWS REPORTS
