“The School to Farm” program was implemented in Lankaran-Astara economic region

Pupils studying in city schools got acquainted with the agri/eco-tourism destinations of the region.

Within the framework of the “AgriVision” project jointly implemented by the Eurasia Partnership Foundation and the “Constitution” Research Foundation with the financial support of the European Union “The School to Farm” program was implemented in agri/eco-tourism destinations located in Lankaran-Astara economic region and participating in the project. On June 16-25, 500 schoolchildren studying in Baku and other city schools visited the tourism enterprises involved in the “AgriVision” project and got acquainted with the agri/eco-tourism concept within the framework of the program. The main goal of the program was to educate students about the processes and resources needed for food production and to inform them about agri/eco-tourism services. In addition, the “School to Farm” program provided an opportunity for selected farms to test new or expanded agri-tourism services.

During the program visits, schoolchildren had the opportunity to observe the agri/eco-tourism services offered in selected tourism destinations, and to get acquainted with agriculture and rural life through walking in farms. They also learned how agri/eco-tourism services can be combined with other tourism opportunities, as well as the similarities and differences between these types of tourism.

During all these visits, the presentations made by the farm owners in each agri/eco-tourism destination were listened to attentively by the pupils and their questions were answered. In addition, children’s entertainment opportunities within tourism enterprises were used, and various games were organized by the project team to help the pupils have a good time.

It should be noted that the “AgriVision” project team will provide educational institutions with the manuals prepared within the project in order to help to integrate such programs into the teaching process and complete the learning experience, and will cooperate with the Ministry of Education to explore the potential of making the “School to Farm” program an annual component of the school curriculum.