In a bid to boost the agricultural sector, Dr. Moji Davids, Managing Director of Xtralarge Farms, has stressed the need to merge tourism with agriculture, thereby increasing profitability and ensuring long-term sustainability.

This was disclosed at the inaugural World Agritourism Festival hosted by Xtralarge Farms Nigeria, which drew local and international participants.

The event showcased agritourism as a transformative force capable of redefining Nigeria’s economy, rural development, and global engagement.

The festival also witnessed the unveiling of AgriTech City, a luxurious, model farming experiment that blends modern agriculture with tourism, hospitality, and innovation.

Dr. Davids, in her keynote address, emphasised the importance of redefining agriculture as a multifaceted industry that encompasses not only planting and harvesting, but also storytelling, investment, wellness, and heritage.

She said: “We are inviting everyone into farming through the power of tourism. Agritourism allows people to experience farming firsthand, while creating economic opportunities and transforming how we view agriculture, not just as labour, but as lifestyle, legacy, and business.”

On his part, Chairman of the festival planning committee, Mr. Sola Ajayi, described Xtralarge Farms as a divinely inspired initiative birthed over a decade ago.

“Xtralarge has grown from a small community of passionate farmers to a global brand with over 200,000 direct affiliates and more than a million indirect partners across three continents. Our four core pillars, Farm Easy, Eat Healthy, Live Healthy, and Make Money, continue to shape lives and inspire testimonies of health and wealth through 100 per cent organic food systems.”

“The world needs to see the beauty and viability of agriculture,” Mr. Ajayi stressed. “This isn’t just farming, it’s a movement.”

Representing Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairperson of the Nigerian Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), the Lagos State Head of the Commission reaffirmed the diaspora’s role in agritourism.

“Agritourism is a bridge connecting rural communities to global opportunities. We call on Nigerians in the diaspora to invest in smart farming, agro-processing, and cultural tourism. This is a call to action, not just for future generations, but for our survival and economic transformation now.”

She also urged greater transparency and integrity in Nigeria’s agricultural export practices to overcome the trust deficit and unlock more diaspora-driven investments.

Speaking on behalf of Special Adviser on Agriculture and Food Systems, Dr. Oluwarotimi Fashola, Mr Ogunleye Adedotoun, reiterated Lagos’ commitment to positioning itself as West Africa’s agritourism hub.

“This event is not just a summit; it’s a signpost of the future, where farming meets culture, where tourism supports communities, and where agriculture becomes a source of joy and economic empowerment,” he said

The World Agritourism Festival stands as a bold testament to the possibilities ahead, and a rallying point for stakeholders at every level, from grassroots farmers to global investors, to build a future where Nigeria’s farmlands become thriving centers of economic, cultural, and environmental transformation.