A group of University of Guam agriculture and business students returned from Taiwan with fresh ideas on how to revitalize Guam’s agricultural sector through agritourism after an immersive study abroad experience in January.
The weeklong program - UOG’s third study abroad trip to Taiwan since 2022 - exposed students to nearly 20 agritourism operations across northern, central and southern Taiwan. The trip showcased innovative ways farms have incorporated tourism elements to boost revenue and sustainability, according to a university news release.
"We got to see, firsthand, a truly broad variety of businesses featuring agricultural products - all of which have developed very innovative and eco-conscious ways of generating revenue," said Rachael T. Leon Guerrero, dean of the College of Natural and Applied Sciences, which delivers UOG’s bachelor’s program in agriculture and life sciences.
As stated in the release, agritourism - which invites visitors to engage directly with farming activities such as fruit picking, farm-to-table dining or product-making workshops - has become a vital industry in Taiwan, with nearly 500 licensed businesses as of 2020.
The Guam Daily Post reached out to UOG Associate Professor of Agricultural Economics Kuan-Ju Chen, who led the trip and teaches the “Agribusiness Management” course in which the students are enrolled. He said models similar to what they saw on the trip could transform Guam’s agricultural landscape.
"Guam could adapt interactive farm tours, immersive cultural activities and hands-on experiences to enhance its agricultural sector’s appeal to tourists," Chen said. He cited examples from Taiwan such as "the pineapple cake DIY activity at an ecological leisure farm, where visitors not only learn about pineapple cultivation but also get to make and take home their own handmade treats."
Rural challenges
The Taiwan government launched a rural revitalization strategy in 2018 to address the challenges of an aging population and rural migration. Chen believes agritourism could help Guam confront similar issues.
"Agritourism could significantly boost Guam’s economy by creating new income streams and employment opportunities, especially in rural areas," Chen said. "This diversification not only strengthens local agriculture but also helps mitigate rural depopulation by making farming communities more vibrant and economically sustainable."
For UOG business administration major Keana D. Mesubed, visiting the King Car Biotechnology Aquaculture Science Center - an antibiotic- and chemical-free Pacific white shrimp hatchery - was particularly eye-opening.
"As an islander, I am familiar with the importance of seafood, but I had never seen high-tech fish farming before," Mesubed said. "Learning how A.I. and biotechnology are used to monitor water quality, improve breeding and ensure sustainability gave me a new perspective on modern aquaculture and its role in food security."
Technology and innovation
The students were exposed to a range of agricultural innovations, including AI-driven aquaculture systems, mobile app–controlled cacao farms and value-added processing operations.
Agriculture major Vivek LeBouef said the experience solidified his desire to research climate-resilient crops and integrated farming systems that are both productive and ecological. He hopes to establish a company on Guam focused on vertical farming techniques and greenhouse construction.
"The workshops and interactive sessions - like making chocolate and assembling mushroom-based skin care products - inspired me to delve into product design and marketing strategies that highlight transparency and sustainability," he said.
Chen said some of these technologies could realistically be implemented in Guam, despite challenges like high utility costs and vulnerability to natural disasters.
"Greenhouse facilities can provide controlled environments that protect crops from typhoons while improving water and energy efficiency - making year-round production more feasible," Chen said. "However, the initial capital investment remains a significant hurdle.
“To address this, strategic investments and supportive policies will be essential to help farmers adopt these technologies, reduce long-term operational costs and enhance Guam’s overall food security and agricultural resilience,” he said.
Practical applications
As part of their coursework, students are now developing comprehensive marketing plans for potential agritourism businesses on Guam.
"Students in my Agribusiness Management course have come up with several innovative ideas for agritourism businesses in Guam," Chen said. "One standout concept involves agroforestry farms offering diverse tour packages, including apiary tours, farm visits and seasonal fruit harvesting experiences."
Other student proposals include regular workshops focused on value-added product creation, such as coconut oil production, traditional weaving, plant-based dyeing and crafting items like jams, jellies and chips.
The trip has also influenced how UOG approaches agricultural education. Looking ahead, Chen said UOG’s agriculture programs will continue to evolve by increasingly blending agriculture, technology and tourism to reflect emerging industry needs and opportunities.
“The goal is to prepare students with diverse skill sets in areas such as smart agriculture, agritourism management and entrepreneurship,” said Chen. “Through interdisciplinary collaboration - with faculty from the School of Business and Public Administration and support from the Small Business Development Center - students will gain practical experience in developing and managing innovative projects.”
Path forward
Establishing a robust agritourism industry on Guam will require coordinated efforts across multiple sectors, according to Chen.
"Developing supportive agricultural and tourism policies that recognize agritourism as a strategic economic sector" is essential, Chen said, along with "providing financial incentives - such as grants, subsidies and tax benefits" to encourage farmers and entrepreneurs.
He also emphasized the importance of "fostering strong partnerships between the agriculture and tourism sectors" and investing in infrastructure improvements, such as transportation access, visitor facilities and signage.
The recent collaboration between GUMA and DFS to launch the new Maker's Market provides a model for how such partnerships might work. Chen said similar initiatives could support Guam’s agritourism sector by "creating dedicated spaces where local talent and products are showcased, fostering both economic development and cultural pride."
Despite potential financial constraints, Chen remains optimistic about Guam’s agricultural prospects. He said aligning agricultural education, workforce development and community engagement efforts can maximize the impact of available resources.
The Taiwan agritourism study abroad experience was jointly funded by a subaward to UOG from the Northern Marianas College's NextGen grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and through scholarships from the J. Yang & Family Foundation. It builds on two previous smart agriculture study abroad trips to Taiwan in 2023 and 2024.
Chen remains hopeful about a future that merges Guam’s agricultural and tourism sectors. "With the right policy framework and strategic partnerships in place, Guam has the potential to develop a vibrant agritourism sector that supports local farmers, preserves cultural heritage and strengthens the island’s economy,” he said.