The Cochran Fellowship Program's Eastern Europe and Eurasia Region

The Cochran Fellowship Program's Eastern Europe and Eurasia Region is requesting the design and delivery of a training program for (6) Fellows from Montenegro: (1) deputy secretary, Secretariat for Entrepreneurship, Municipality of Podgorica (1) advisor for coordination and public relations, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, (1) senior advisor on investments, Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism, (1) assistant for tourism, promotion and marketing, National Tourism Organization of Montenegro (1) economic advisor, Montenegro Business Alliance and (1) analyst, Institute for Entrepreneurship and Economic Development. The program should be designed to help fellows better understand the U.S. agricultural tourism system, types of agro tourism and advantages for each type. The Government of Montenegro is trying to help farmers market their products to increase sustainability and income. The tourism industry is rapidly growing, which is an opportunity for farmers to sell their products and accommodate tourists, including new resorts and hotels that are developing. The Fellows are interested in the fundamentals of agricultural tourism, benefits of closer cooperation between local producers and food service industry, and marketing opportunities for small farmers. Topics should include: U.S. agricultural tourism system, types of agro tourism activities, role of agro tourism in rural development, and agricultural linkages to hospitality, catering and food service companies. The program objective is to assist with the development of a strategy for agricultural linkages to tourism which will allow the Fellows to enhance marketing practices and increase sales on the domestic food market. The goal of this activity is to assist Montenegro develop a modern agricultural tourism industry, therefore enhancing agricultural sustainability and trade linkages.