ASU hosts international agri-ecotourism congress

ANCHORED on the theme «Revitalizing agro-industrial connectivity toward sustainable ecology and resilient GloCal Village,» the 2nd International Agri-ecotourism Congress from September 11 to 12 was hosted by the Aklan State University (ASU) in Boracay, Malay, Aklan.

Held at the Paradise Garden in Boracay, the event aimed to serve as a platform for the dissemination of research results and for sharing knowledge, experiences and culture in establishing agri-ecotourism technologies and innovations to sustain and mainstream the agri-ecotourism industry to a diverse set of audience.

The event was attended by students, faculty researchers, scientists, research specialists, agricultural service providers, private sectors engaged in the agri-ecotourism industry, local government units and other stakeholders in agri-ecotourism from France, Indonesia and the Philippines.

Joining the event was the Philippine government-hosted Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (Searca) headed by Director Glenn Gregorio.

Gregorio said the agency, through Nova Ramos, Searca's Training for Development Unit head under the Education and Collective Learning Department, presented agri-ecotourism as a pillar of rural development.

Gregorio said Ramos shared the center's capacity-building initiatives on agri-ecotourism, including its support for agri-innovators, that catered to legislators, educators, practitioners and other stakeholders across the Southeast Asian region and beyond.

Ramos also highlighted the sociocultural, economic and environmental benefits of agri-ecotourism and its potential as a pathway for inclusive and sustainable rural development.

Aklan Gov. Jose Enrique Miraflores in his message delivered by a