Agri tourism
CONCEPT:
Agro-Tourism and Eco-Tourism are closely related, although in reality
Agro-Tourism is something all farms could have, while Eco-Tourism seems to
have been Greenwashed by the tour companies.
Agro Tourism is when a native person or local of the area offers
tours to their Agriculture Farm to allow a person to view them growing,
harvesting, and processing locally grown foods, such as coconuts, pineapple,
sugar cane, corn, or any produce the person would not encounter in their
home country. Often the farmers would provide a home-stay opportunity and
education
(Source:www.hobotraveller.com )
In
general, Agri-Tourism is the practice of attracting travelers or visitors to
an area or areas used primarily for agricultural purposes.
However, Agri-Tourism is small-scale, low-impact, and, in most cases,
education-focused. Because landowners operate the majority of farms in
Maharasthra, opportunities for uniqueness and customization are limitless.
Many agri-tourism activities require only a small farm crew in order to be
successful. For instance, farm tours, bed and breakfasts, Tractor / bullock
card rides, grapes, mangoes, and other horticulture farms, by product farms,
birds / animal zoos, and many other activities may be operated with little
additional investment in labor.
(Source:http://www.agritourism.in/about-agritourism.html)
An Agritourism farm is any land based farm or business that is open to the public. These specialized agritourism destinations generally offer things to see, things to do, and produce or gifts to buy, and are open to the public at least some parts of the year. Some agritourism farms are open 365 days, some only open for a few weekends in the fall. All offer a unique and entertaining farm experience and are generally appealing to all members in a family.
Wine tasting, farm tours, country bed and breakfast, corn mazes, hay rides, U-Pick farms and even farm stands are all examples of Agritourism. These diversified farming operations are bringing an interested customer right to the agritourism farm, providing education and experience, and offer special farm products or related gifts for sale, things to do, and opportunities for easy and inexpensive education and entertainment experiences for young and old alike.
(Source: http://www.agritourismworld.com/discover.php?sid=4269228)
BASIC PRINCIPLES OF AGRI – TOURISM
Agri - Tourism should ensure the following three basic principles.
1. Have something for visitors to see - Animals, birds, farms and nature are few
things which Agri-Tourism could offer to the tourist. Apart from these,
culture, dress, festivals and rural games could create enough interest among
visitors in Agri-Tourism.
2. Have something for visitors to do - Participating in agricultural operations,
swimming, bullock cart riding, camel riding, buffalo riding, cooking and
participating in the rural games are few activities to quote in which tourists
can take part and enjoy.
3. Have something for visitors to buy - Rural crafts, dress materials, farm gate
fresh agriculture products, processed foods are the few items which tourist
can buy as memento for remembrance.
ADVANTAGES OF AGRI – TOURISM:
1. It brings major primary sector agriculture closer to major service sector
tourism. This convergence is expected to create win-win situation for both
the sectors.
2. Tourism sector has potential to enlarge.
3. Agriculture sector has the capacity to absorb expansion in tourism Sector.
SCOPE OF AGRI – TOURISM:
Agri-Tourism has great scope in the present context for the following reasons:
1. An inexpensive gateway - The cost of food, accommodation, recreation and
travel is least in Agri-Tourism. This widens the tourist base. Present concept
of travel and tourism is limited to urban and rich class which constitutes only
a small portion of the population. However, the concept of Agri-Tourism
takes travel and tourism to the larger population, widening the scope of
tourism due to its cost effectiveness.
2. Curiosity about the farming industry and life style - The urban population
having roots in villages always have had the curiosity to learn about sources
of food, plants, animals, raw materials like wood, handicrafts, languages,
culture, tradition, dresses and rural lifestyle. Agri-Tourism which revolves
around farmers, villages and agriculture has the capacity to satisfy the
curiosity of this segment of population.
3. Strong demand for wholesome family oriented recreational activities -
Villages provide recreational opportunities to all age groups i.e. children
young, middle and old age, male, female, in total to the whole family at a
cheaper cost. Rural games, festivals, food, dress and the nature provides
variety of entertainment to the entire family.
4. Health consciousness of urban population and finding solace with nature
friendly means - Modern lifestyle has made life stressful and average life
span has comedown. Hence, people are in constant search of pro-nature
means to make life more peaceful. Ayurveda which is a pro-nature medical
approach has roots in villages. Indigenous medical knowledge of villagers is
respected. Organic foods are in greater demand in urban areas and foreign
countries. In total, health conscious urban population is looking towards pro nature villages for solutions.
5. Desire for peace and tranquility - Modern life is a product of diversified
thinking and diversified activities. Every individual attempts to work more, in
different directions to earn more money to enjoy modern comforts. Hence,
peace is always out of his system. Tourism is a means for searching
peaceful location. Peace and tranquility are inbuilt in Agri-Tourism as it is
away from urban areas and close to nature.
6. Interest in natural environment - Busy urban population is leaning towards
nature. Because, natural environment is always away from busy life. Birds,
animals, crops, mountains, water bodies, villages provide totally different
atmosphere to urban population in which they can forget their busy urban
life.
7. Disillusionment with over crowded resorts and cities - In resorts and cities,
over crowded peace seekers disturb each others peace. Hence, peace is
beyond cities and resorts. Even though efforts are made to create village
atmosphere in the sub urban areas through resorts, farm houses, it looks
like a distant replica of the original.
8. Nostalgia for their roots on the farm - Cities are growing at the cost of
villages. Villagers are migrating to cities in search of jobs and to seek the
comforts of modern life. Hence, yesterday’s villagers are today’s urbanites.
Deep in the heart of urbanites lies the love and respect for their ancestors
and villages. Hence, visit to villages satisfies their desire. This is also
expressed through the hatred of urbanites to flat culture and love for
farmhouses located in the outskirts of cities. Any opportunity to visit villages
and spend time with family is dream of any urbanite. But, minimum decent
facilities are always problem. Agri-Tourism attempts to overcome this
problem.
9. Rural recreation - Villages provide variety of recreation to urbanites through
festivals and handicrafts. Villagers (farmers) lifestyle, dress, languages,
culture / traditions which always add value to the entertainment. Agricultural
environment around farmers and the entire production process could create
curiosity among urban taught. Places of agricultural importance like highest
crop yielding farm, highest animal yielding farm, processing units, farms
where innovations tried add attraction to the tourists. Agricultural products
like farm gate fresh market, processed foods, organic food could lure the
urban tourists. As result of this agri – atmosphere in the villages, there is
scope to develop Agri – Tourism products like agri-shopping, culinary
tourism, pick and own your tree / plot, bed and breakfast, pick and pay,
bullock cart riding, camel riding, boating, fishing, herbal walk, rural games
and health (ayurvedic) tourism.
10. Educational value of Agri-Tourism – Agri-Tourism could create awareness
about rural life and knowledge about agriculture science among urban
school children. It provides a best alternative for school picnics which are
urban based. It provides opportunity for hands on experience for urban
college students in agriculture. It is a means for providing training to future
farmers. It would be effectively used as educational and training tool to train
agriculture and line department officers. This provides unique opportunity for
education through recreation where learning is fun effective and easy.
Seeing is believing, doing is learning. This experience based concept is the
USP of Agri- Tourism.
ELEMENTS OF AGRI-TOURISM
1. Farmer – In majority of the cases, farmers are less educated, less exposed
and innocent. For a farmer, any outsider is a guest and is treated
wholeheartedly without any commercial motive. Treating guests is pleasure
for the villagers than pain. The farmer entertains the guest while
entertaining himself in the process. He is not like an exploitative natured
businessman which itself facilitate a clean tourism atmosphere.
2. Village – Villages, located far from the city lack urban facilities, but are
blessed with natural resources. Investments are made by nature in the form
of water bodies, fields, forest, mountains, deserts and islands. The
community structure is more homogenous and treating guests is part of the
culture rather than a professional activity leading to natural environment
required for such form of tourism.
3. Agriculture – Rich resources in agriculture namely land, water and plants are
unique from place to place bringing diversity and creating curiosity. Each
field is unique which adds to the attraction of tourists. The way of cultivation
and the products are great attraction to the urban population. Indigenous
knowledge of rural people is a wealth, which adds to the novelty and the
curiosity of urban population. Combination of farmer, village and agriculture
creates a wonderful situation which provides unlimited satisfaction to the
tourist especially from urban areas.
AGRI-TOURISM IN INDIA:
AGRI-TOURISM OPPORTUNITIES IN INDIA
1. Indian tourism industry is growing @10.1% - The World Tourism organization
has estimated that the tourism industry is growing at the rate of 4% a year
and that by the year 2010 there will be more than one billion tourists visiting
various parts of the world. But the Indian tourism industry is growing at the
rate of 10% which is 2˝ times more that the growth rate at global level. By
introducing Agri-Tourism concept, not only present growth rate is sustained
but also this value addition contributes to further growth.
2. India has entered amongst the top 10 tourist destinations list (Conde Nast
Travellor – A leading European Travel Magazine) - India is already established
as one of the top tourist destination in the world. Value addition by
introducing novel products like Agri-tourism would only strengthen the
competitiveness of Indian tourism industry in global market.
3. India has diverse culture and geography which provides ample and unlimited
scope for the growth of this business. India has diverse Agro-climatic
conditions, diverse crops, people, culture, deserts, mountains, coastal
systems and islands which provides scope for promotion of all season, multi location tourism products.
4. Increasing number of tourists preferring non-urban tourist spots (financial
express). Hence, there is scope for promotion of non-urban tourist spots in
interior villages by establishing Agri-tourism centres. But, adequate facilities
and publicity are must to promote such centres.
5. Government initiatives and policies in Xth five year plan allocation has been
increased from 525 crore to 2900 crores. Increased financial allocation
reaffirms the government commitment. The increased financial allocation
by six times could be used for capacity building of service providers, creation
of infrastructure and publicity.
Source:Confederation of Indian Industry
AGRI – TOURISM CONCLAVE: CONCEPT NOTE 1
AGRI – TOURISM: INNOVATIVE SUPPLEMENTARY INCOME GENERATING
ACTIVITY FOR ENTERPRISING FARMERS
Contributed by:
Mr Pandurang Taware
Director – Marketing
A.T.D.C., Pune
AGRI-TOURISM SITES IN INDIA
SITE NAME:MALEGAON VILLAGE
Agri Tourism offer edutainment farm tours in Malegaon Village, where guests would be given information about the cultivation of grapes, sugarcane, pomegranate, guava, mango, chikkoo, Custard apple, coconut, lime, banana, amla, jackfruit, anjeer, and many more fruits plantation, there will be visit to dairy farm, milk collection centers, goat farm, emu (like ostrich bird) farm, or get an insight of sericulture (silk producing) production of jaggery and sugar. This information farm tours will be laced with an entertainment programme in the evening. Guests will be acquainted with Marathi folklore like Bharud, Jagran Gondhal, Shekoti folk songs (all these are combinations of songs, drama, acting with music and dance). This place will try to give you nostalgic memories about the games that you might have played in your childhood like gillidanda, gotya, lagori, galori and bhavra. Tourists can also go for the village sight seeing tour, mingle with locals, know about their administration (Gram Panchayat, visit schools know their lifestyle. This would give tourists food for thought
Source:http://jahirati.maayboli.com/detail.php?id=449
Site Name:
India Agri Tourim India
Maharashtra Pune Baramati
Location:
Baramati - Maharashtra – India
Agri Tourism Project at Baramati Area: 110 acres of land Owners: Agricultural Development Trust Malegoan Baramati President: Hon’ble Shri Sharad Pawarji. Union Government of India Agriculture Minister Chairman: Mr. Rajendra Pawar
USPs and Facilities offered:
The only organized player in the Agri Tourism sector · Offers 100% pure and completely pollution free environment to the tourists · Helps in de-stressing as the experience bring you closer to nature .Provides opportunity to experience the farm life in its purest untouched form · Brings tourists closer to the village culture and hospitality · Offers rural games which are refreshing and genuinely exciting · Offers authentic rural Indian food · Offers a thrilling experience in staying in either cottages or tents in the middle of the huge 110 acres of farms · Lunch, breakfast and dinner are offered under mango, guava or coconut farms · Every cottage has the authentic rural look ad feel and are comfortable from tourists point of view. · Offers 365 days holiday period · Offers 4 such units Malegaon unit, Rajguru Nagar unit ,Ali Baugh unit and Junnar Unit .Offers an opportunity to stay in an independent bungalow facility, which has 100 ft deep well. The bungalow has the rural look and feel · For school it is a good source of education plus entertainment. · Tourists get an opportunity to work in the fields with the farmers to experience the farm life. Tourists can enjoy farm fresh fruits and vegetables during their farm tours.
Statistics: Agri Tourism is growing at an average rate of 20% per annum in India. More than 70% of the urban Indian class has not seen a village. So far, 7000 plus tourists have visited the farm. ATDC has entertained National as well as International visitors and ATDC statistics conveys more than 12,000 visitors are expected in its first year.
Indian Agritourism Industry Challenges: 1. Ignorance 2. Fear of misinterpretation of the Agri Tourism concept 3. Absence of any regulatory authority to save farmers interests. 4. Presence of unorganized sector in the Agri Tourism industry. 5. Ensuring hygiene and basic requirements considering foreign visitors
Why Promote and Support Agri-Tourism in India? 1. To improve quality of life for visitors and residents and farmers alike 2. To preserve farm land and open spaces in rural India 3. To create and preserve sources of fresh locally grown food 4. To create a place for families to experience agriculture and develop respect for the profession. Promotion of Agri-Tourism enables preservation of family farms and they are the backbone of rural India. Early in our history, this country was a land of farmers, settling from coast to coast while providing food for their families. Through the years the number of farmers has decreased, and the number of families fed per farmer has increased. Fewer people from the urban India are around who remember what it was like to grow up on a farm. Some have experienced farm life by visiting grandparents or relatives in rural India. Families and specifically children should have the opportunity to learn that food is produced on a farm and is not just a product of the local grocery store. Backdrop: Consider a board meeting of a corporate house under a mango tree with only a blackboard for writing down the information. This is what the Agri Tourism Development Corporation, Pune, is aiming at. A pilot project has been kicked off in Baramati in Maharashtra. The unit offers tourists edutainment farm tours in Baramati district, Malegaon area where they are told about the cultivation of grapes, sugarcane, pomegranate, guava, and watermelon or get an insight into how silk is produced and raw jaggery is made. It includes Marathi programmes such as Bharud, Jagran Gondhal, Shekoti folk songs (all these are combinations of songs, drama, acting with music and dance). About 25 more such locations have been identified in Maharashtra as rural tourist destinations. In the coming three months, Agri Tourism would be developing Dapoli, Mulshi and Reha (in the foothills of Hinjewadi) as new locations. The aim is to have five such locations as autopilots, which would be ready within a year and then this company from Pune would be looking at locations in Punjab and Andhra Pradesh. The services offered include accommodation in the farm cottages or farm bungalow where tourist can eat ethnic food and observe rustic life at close quarters. Agri Tourism is not just all about staying in a village and relishing authentic rural food but this is an opportunity to take a closer look at the life of farmers and the village life. The company offers various packages as tour to this agri farm including an over night stay. The farm tour also includes visits to goat and emu farms. This is first such effort in India on an organized level.
Site
Name:
Sloth Bear Foundation Eco
and Farm Tours in India
Location:
Bellary - Karnataka - INDIA
Farm Holidays in South India Soans Farm is located about 40 KM from Mangalore on National Highway 13 in Karnataka, South India. We at Sloth Bear Foundation invite you to enjoy farm holidays at the Soans Farm with warm and comfortable stay in serene, green environs away from pressures of modern living... Indulge in farm fresh food and capture the thrill of open outdoors. Dr Soans and his family will be your hosts and guides. The Sloth Bear Foundation is a non-profit, self-reliant and independent organization registered as a trust. Participation in tours and expeditions contributes the needed money to fund the SBF conservation and rehabilitation projects.
Site
Name:
Medicinal herb farm near
Mumbai
Location:
Mumbai - Maharashtra - India
This is a 21 acre (8 hectare) organic farm growing medicinal herbs. The farm is conveniently located at about 2 hours journey by road (100 Km) from Mumbai. The adjacent river not only provides water round the year but also opportunities for swimming, fishing and a whole lot of activities. Simple short treks are also available through the outer hills of Sahyadries. Accomodation and food is available.