Linking Higher Education to Perceived Benefits of Agro-Tourism for Sustainable Development in Rural Zambia

Abstract

Background: This paper highlights an integrated review comprising an analytical search of literature in agro-tourism. It addresses the question of conceptualizing agriculture and tourism as one sector that can contribute to sustainable development in rural areas in Zambia. The paper primarily raises concerns relating to how higher education can contribute to realizing the integration of agriculture and tourism as a means to foster sustainable development of rural areas. It delves into the research questions: What is agro-tourism? How can agro-tourism benefit communities in rural areas in Zambia? What factors influence agro-tourism? What is the involvement of higher education in fostering agro-tourism?
Methods: A systematic integrative review of the literature to inform higher education future practice and research in agro-tourism was conducted. Electronic databases were searched in July 2020 to September 2021 to collect required data. Inclusion criteria entailed only those articles which focused on the benefits and challenges of agro-tourism. Selection criteria for literature included studies of any design, quantitative or qualitative as well as review of articles.
Results: Our results reveals that agro-tourism contribute to maintaining the natural environment by encouraging activities such as on-farm bird watching and orchard tours. Further, natural and heritage preservation are cited as some of the benefits accrued from agro-tourism and agri-tourism alike. Results further indicate traceable nation-wide tangible heritage, which include buildings and historic places, monuments, artefacts, and other physical resources considered worthy of preservation for the future. There is a gulf between higher education institutions’ drive in agro-tourism and practice. Thus, findings suggest that higher education institutions should play a leading role in fostering the uptake of agro-tourism in the country.
Conclusion: Its evident that, that agro-tourism is at the interface of agriculture and tourism as such it can benefit both sectors of development sustainably. Though agro-tourism is still in its infancy it has shown a promising trajectory owing to its use in education, entertainment and sports among others. The authors contend that high education is instrumental in harnessing the potential of agro-tourism and its ability to transform the economy of Zambia.