Agro-tourism also known as agricultural tourism is a form of travel in which visitors have an opportunity to experience living on farms or in rural areas. In Uganda, agro-tourism has developed over many years. For instance, in 1975 Kabeihura Farmers Ltd a 20-hectare tea plantation was established in Bushenyi District. Over the time it was expanded to 250 hectares majorly for agriculture. The farm deals in dairy, poultry, fish farming and yogurt processing. Kabeihura Farmers Ltd has established itself as a model for integrating tourism and agriculture.
In 2020 the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) joined together with agricultural businesses in order to foster agro-tourism in the 18 regions and 51 districts in the country. The primary goals for this initiative was to assist the stakeholders in tourism and agriculture to raise awareness and promote agro-tourism goods and services. Uganda has become more urbanized and farmers have adapted to the use of technology in farming. Both domestic and foreign visitors benefit greatly from agro-tourism.
Uganda has got different farms which are meant for agro-tourism and most of them are owned by individuals. Some of them include;
Coffee farms
Uganda is recognized for its thriving coffee industry with many farms across the country cultivating Robusta and Arabica coffee. For instance, the areas of Mount Elgon and Rwenzori mountains are home to numerous coffee farms which produce high quality Arabica coffee. The central region is predominantly known for growing Robusta coffee. Coffee growers have adopted both organic and sustainable agricultural practices which help local ecosystems while also improving the quality of coffee. For instance, some of the coffee growers have transitioned to agroforestry models which integrate coffee cultivation with other crops and trees. This is done in order to support biodiversity and environmental conservation.
Many coffee farms in Uganda have embraced agro-tourism and offer different experiences. Some of the activities offered by these farms include; guided nature walks which gives visitors an opportunity to learn about the coffee cultivation process, harvesting, coffee processing and brewing. Another activity is cultural interactions where visitors engage with the local community, participate in traditional dances and taste indigenous cuisines.
Tea plantations to Agro-tourism in Uganda
Tea farming in Uganda is one of the important parts of the country’s economic and agricultural sector. In Uganda tea cultivation was introduced in the early 1900s, however in the 1970s tea production decreased due to economic and political unrest. In the 1980s the initiatives to revive the sector were undertaken which included government- private partnerships.
Most of these tea farms are mostly found in western, southwestern and central areas. Some of these farms include Toro and Mityana Tea Company (Tamteco), The Kijura Tea Company, and Madhvani Group which manages many other tea estates like Mwera and Nakigalala Tea Estates. These tea farms offer different experiences to visitors, for instance, tea plantation tours where visitors get a chance to learn different tea types, tea picking, planting and harvesting process.
Another experience is the tea tasting experience where tourists get a chance to taste different samples of Uganda tea like black, green and speciality teas which change flavours based on the processing method used. Also tea farm tours offer a chance to visitors to interact with the local people and learn about their cultural life through dance, storytelling, and craft. Most of these tea farms border forests and game reserves which gives tourists other experiences like bird watching, nature walks among others. Tea farms also hold tea themed events and workshops where visitors enjoy live music, try local cuisine and coffee themed products.
Cotton farms
Cotton farming has been one of key opponents to Uganda’s economy and agricultural sector and a source of survival to numerous small household farmers. Cotton growing in Uganda was introduced in 1903 during colonial rule and emerged as one of major cash crops in the country. With introduction of cotton many textile businesses were opened like Nyanza Textile also known as Nytil which stands as Uganda’s largest integrated textile industry.
Cotton farming is mainly done in districts like Arua, Hoima, Kasese and Masindi and most of these cotton farms are open to agro-tourism. These cotton farms offer different experiences which include guided walks where visitors get an opportunity to walk through cotton fields and see how it is planted and harvested, the traditional and modern techniques used in cotton farming among others.
Also visitors get hands-on opportunity to pick cotton, ginning, spinning and weaving cotton alongside farmers. These cotton farms also offer cultural experience where visitors get an opportunity to learn and participate in the traditional cotton dyeing and weaving, dancing, and storytelling.
Pineapple farms
Pineapple farming in Uganda is majorly done in the districts of Luweero and Kayunga and success of pineapple farming in these areas has also opened opportunities for agro-tourism. For instance, projects like the “Pineapple Hunt” let guests visit farms, participate in harvesting activities, and learn about the whole farming and processing journey. Such experiences provide additional income sources for farmers and also educate visitors about sustainable farming practices and the cultural relevance of pineapple cultivation in Uganda.
Cocoa farms
Cocoa farming has become one of Uganda’s main agricultural practices and mostly done in districts like Bundibugyo, Mukono, and Masaka. In Uganda cocoa agro tourism can be experienced at Mugamba Farm near Semuliki National Park. The farm covers an area of 300 acres and grows a variety of agricultural products such as coffee, cocoa, bananas, and vegetables.
Mugamba agricultural farm offers many activities to visitors like cocoa farm tours where visitors go for guided walks in the cocoa plantation and observe how cocoa trees are grown, pollinated and harvested. They are able to see both organic and sustainable cocoa farming practices. Visitors also get hands-on cocoa harvesting experience, demonstrations of the fermentation and drying of cocoa beans, experiencing bean to bar workshops where visitors learn roasting, grinding and making chocolate. Other activities offered on the farm include; bird watching, cultural integration, visiting waterfalls among others.
Internationally, cocoa agro-tourism has been successfully adopted in nations such as Ghana. With the country’s first cocoa farm being the Tetteh Quarshie Cocoa estate which was established in 1879 and later it was transformed into a tourist attraction known as the Ecomuseum of Cocoa. Visitors to the farm may learn about the region’s cocoa production history and see some of the first cocoa trees established by Tetteh Quarshie.
Cattle farms to Agro-tourism in Uganda
Cattle rearing is one of Uganda’s most important agricultural businesses and plays a crucial role in the country’s economy, livelihood and food security. Cattle rearing gives cultural and economic importance particularly to people in Ankole and Karamoja. Cattle ranching as agro-tourism provides educational and cultural experience for both local and international tourists. Cattle farms offer farm tours where visitors are showcased the indigenous breeds like Ankole longhorn and the exotic breeds, hands-on farm activities like milking, feeding, cattle dipping, and grooming. Visitors also get a chance to experience dairy and meat processing like traditional ghee making, cheese production, milk processing and beef preparation.
