Abstract
This study analyzed agritourism potential and rural development in Igbo-Etiti LGA of Enugu State, Nigeria. Specifically, the objective of the study included (a) to identify the agritourism centers(b) ascertain the reason for the tourists attraction and (c) to identify the potential barriers affecting agritourism in the area. The study employed a combination of purposive and simple random sampling techniques in the collection of data from one hundred and sixty (160) and eighty (80), farmers/agripreneurs and agritourists respectively, using structured questionnaires. Descriptive statistics were employed to realize the objectives of the study. The results of the analysis showed that 68.75% and 56.25% were female agripreneurs and agritourists respectively, thus indicating dominance in agritourism business in the area. Equally, both the farmers/agripreneurs and agritourists were within the active age of 40 - 49 years with over 60% of them being married. About 93.75% of both the farmers/agripreneurs and agritourists could read and write. The average income of the farmers from sales and services per market day was N 143,750.00 while the average expenses of the agritourists from purchases and payments per visit were N 152,875.00. The main agritourism centers in the area were located in Aku, Ukehe, Ekwegbe and ohodo towns while their major food produce traded included yams, cassava, honey and grains. Friendliness of the host communities was the major tourists’ attraction while fear of herdsmen, kidnappers and unknown gunmen constituted the major barrier to agritourism business. The main solution to the problems of agritourism in the area is the provision of adequate security. Based on the findings, it was recommended that an ideal investment atmosphere for agritourism investors be instituted in the area through tax reduction and provision of adequate security.