The Group Managing Director of Xtralarge Farms & Resorts, Dr. Mrs. Moji Davids, has called on the Federal Government and stakeholders to adopt agritourism as a strategic national development tool, saying it has the potential to transform Nigeria’s healthcare system, boost mental wellbeing, diversify the economy and create sustainable jobs
Davids made the call in a policy advocacy paper titled, “Agritourism: Nigeria’s Untapped Gateway to Wellness Tourism, Mental Stability and a Healthier Nation,” in which she argued that integrating agriculture, tourism and healthcare could address some of the country’s most pressing socio-economic challenges.According to her, Nigeria is currently confronted with rising cases of lifestyle-related illnesses, an urgent need to diversify its economy beyond traditional sectors and increasing mental health challenges arising from rapid urbanisation, economic pressures and disconnection from nature.
She said agritourism presents a unique opportunity to tackle these issues simultaneously by transforming farms into destinations for recreation, education, wellness, hospitality and economic empowerment
“The future demands that agriculture, tourism and healthcare work together. Agritourism represents this convergence. It is the deliberate integration of agriculture, hospitality, education, recreation, nutrition, environmental sustainability and wellness into a single transformative experience,” she said
Davids noted that agriculture has traditionally been viewed only as food production, tourism as entertainment and healthcare as treatment, stressing that the future requires greater collaboration among the sectors.She explained that agritourism changes farms from production centres into destinations that promote healing, learning, recreation and economic opportunities while encouraging healthier lifestyles.
Highlighting global trends, Davids said wellness tourism has become one of the fastest-growing segments of the international travel industry as travellers increasingly seek experiences that improve their physical and mental wellbeing.She cited countries such as Italy, Japan, Costa Rica and South Korea, which have successfully integrated nature-based experiences into their tourism offerings, adding that Nigeria possesses similar natural advantages.
“Nigeria possesses every natural advantage needed to become Africa’s leading agritourism and wellness destination. Our biodiversity is extraordinary. Our climate is favourable. Our indigenous foods are rich in nutritional value. Our medicinal plants are among the most diverse on the continent. Yet we have barely scratched the surface of this opportunity,” she stated
Davids further argued that scientific evidence increasingly supports the health benefits of spending time in natural environments, noting that exposure to nature lowers stress levels, improves cardiovascular health, promotes physical activity and enhances emotional wellbeing
“The human body was designed to interact with nature. Fresh air is medicine. Natural sunlight is medicine. Physical movement is medicine. Wholesome food is medicine. Meaningful human connection is medicine. Silence is medicine. The farm naturally provides all of these,” she said
She advocated greater investment in preventive healthcare through agritourism, saying wellness-focused farm experiences could encourage healthier eating habits, improved sleep, increased physical activity and stronger family relationships
According to her, such an approach would reduce the burden of chronic diseases while lowering long-term healthcare costs.Davids also identified agritourism as a major economic driver capable of stimulating multiple sectors simultaneously
She said successful agritourism destinations would provide farmers with additional ls, restaurants, transport operators, artisans, food processors and rural entrepreneurs
“One farm can create an entire ecosystem of employment and enterprise. Agritourism therefore represents not merely agricultural diversification but rural industrialisation,” she said
On mental health, Davids described stress, social isolation, long working hours, traffic congestion and economic uncertainty as growing threats to national productivity.She maintained that reconnecting people with nature through farm-based experiences could play a significant role in improving emotional wellbeing
“Sometimes healing begins when people reconnect with creation itself. A nation that invests in environments promoting emotional restoration invests directly in its future productivity,” she said
Davids urged the Federal Government to recognise agritourism as a strategic economic sector deserving policy support and investment incentives
She also called for stronger collaboration among ministries responsible for agriculture, tourism, health and education, while encouraging financial institutions to develop specialised funding models for agritourism enterprises
She further appealed to universities to establish research programmes on agritourism, wellness and sustainable rural development, while urging healthcare providers to explore partnerships with certified wellness destinations that promote preventive healthcare
According to her, private investors should begin to view farms not only as centres for agricultural production but also as destinations capable of generating multiple streams of income through tourism and wellness services
Davids said Xtralarge Farms & Resorts is already pursuing this vision through its Foodspital initiative, which integrates agriculture, nutrition, hospitality and wellness into a single model aimed at promoting healthier lifestyles.“Our belief is simple. The farm of the future will produce far more than crops. It will produce healthier families, stronger minds, thriving communities, sustainable businesses, confident young entrepreneurs and ultimately, a healthier nation,” she said.
She added that Nigeria has all the renation if policymakers and stakeholders embrace agritourism as a core component of national development
“If Nigeria is serious about building a healthier, happier and more prosperous society, then agritourism must move from the margins of policy discussions to the centre of our national development agenda. The seeds of that future are already in our soil,” Davids said
