Demo farms seen to promote farm tourism in Cebu

A legislator wants the Capitol to tap the services of demo farms to promote farm tourism in the Province.

In his resolution, Provincial Board (PB) Member Thadeo Jovito “Jonkie” Ouano expressed support for the plan of the Provincial Tourism Office (PTO) to promote demo farms in Cebu to not only help support Cebu’s local tourism but also its agricultural sector.

Ouano said that with various private farms being set up as demo farms in different parts of Cebu, he believes that farm tourism could thrive in the province.

There are private demo farms operating in San Francisco town in Camotes, Dalaguete, Alegria and Balamban.

“With the high number of tourist arrivals in Cebu, the Province can tap the services of demo farms and related establishments to provide tourists with an alternative to usual destinations and in the future, the Province can also develop its own farm tourism sites,” Ouano added.

Sen. Cynthia Villar stressed the need to establish farm schools and tourist farms in agriculturally-rich areas in the country to help farmers earn more and revive their industry.

Villar, who is the author of Republic Act 10816 or the Farm Tourism Development Law, believes that farm tourism can provide more opportunities to farmers, especially that the Department of Tourism (DOT) has expressed its support for the industry.

The Cebu Provincial Board approved the resolution during its session yesterday. /