Borneo Convention Centre, Kuching: venue of the inaugural Sarawak AgroTourism Conference & Expo (SAtCE). Photo Credit: Borneo Convention Centre, Kuching
The inaugural Sarawak AgroTourism Conference & Expo (SAtCE) will
be launched from 28 – 30 August 2023 at Borneo Convention Centre,
Kuching. It will draw 350 delegates and 150 exhibitors from the
agriculture, tourism and agrotourism sectors.
Participants from local and international agrotourism entities and
related industries will convene under one roof to exchange ideas, build
business networks and showcase their agrotourism products and services.
The event will kick off with a welcome address by Stephen Rundi Anak
Utom, Minister of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development
(M-FICORD). Guest speaker, founder of John Stanley Associate, John
Stanley, will follow with his speech, “Agrotourism, its time has arrived
for Sarawak”.
"We commended the organiser for their efforts by putting together
such an event in Kuching and welcome entrepreneurs, the private sector
and farmers to take part in this important event and welcome all
delegates to Kuching," said Sirai Daha, permanent secretary of Commodity
and Regional Development Sarawak (M-FICORD).
"Agrotourism is a concept rapidly gaining popularity, coupled with
the increased awareness of sustainability in tourism, the organisation
of SAtCE is just timely to remind industry players both from agriculture
and tourism sectors the great potential lies in agrotourism. Sarawak as
a state rich in agriculture resources has the advantage to further
developing agrotourism." said Sherrina Hussaini, permanent secretary of
Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak (MTCP).
Alongside SatCE, another new initiative, the Farm to Farm Travelogue
Programme will be taking place from 22-23 August where SEEDS Malaysia
and a local guide will explore and document natural and unique farming
practices in Sarawak through farm visits and interviews with at least 15
local farmers.
Conference topics will include case studies; global trends and
regional policies in agrotourism; an overview of the agriculture and
ecotourism industry; the potential of agrotourism in Sarawak; and an
overview of the tourism industry in Malaysia and its Homestay Programme.
The exhibition segment will offer a one-stop centre for stakeholders
of agrotourism ecosystems to display their best agrotourism products,
and to forge more deals.
The event serves as a platform that allows government agencies to
disseminate information to trade visitors in a more informative and
hands-on setting and to educate and instil the culture of sustainability
to the public.
The event is organised by Derrisen, and endorsed by Ministry of Food
Industry, M-FICORD, the Ministry of Tourism, MTCP and Business Events
Sarawak.
Themed "Promoting Agrotourism Sustainably", about 20 industry experts
from Malaysia and six other countries - Australia, India, Indonesia,
New Zealand, Philippines and Thailand - will share their knowledge and
experience on specialised topics of agrotourism. Relevant ministries and
agencies will also announce their policies and assistance available.
On the last day of SAtCE, attendees will be able to visit Borneo
Empurau Farm & Resort in Serian, Sarawak, to witness the farm’s
efforts in preserving and researching the indigenous empurau fish.