TravTalk India Online Magazine
The recently-held 14th International Conference on Agri-Tourism brought together various experts in the field who shared their experiences on how this segment can be developed and the benefits it can bring to not just the local community but to the destination as well.
Hazel Jain
The Agri-Tourism Development Organization Baramati with the support of the Directorate of Tourism, Government of Maharashtra, recently organised an international conference on Agri-tourism. This year’s theme was ‘Women Farmer Entrepreneurship Development’ and brought together some of the prominent women entrepreneurs and experts in the field of Agri-tourism.
Sharing his view on this segment, Aaditya Thackeray, Minister of Tourism & Environment, said, “I am proud that our state has taken the lead in Agri-tourism. The concept of 30% Krishi Yojana proposed by the Agriculture Minister Dadasaheb Bhuse for women farmers is highly commendable. More than 60% of the country’s population is engaged in agriculture and it is crucial to link agriculture to tourism. Agri-tourism is instrumental for employment generation and economic improvement especially in these pandemic times when people have lost jobs. Agri-tourism has given us the opportunity to bring together the two major sectors: tourism and agriculture. The current pandemic offers an opportunity to grow Agri-tourism in India. One of the safest ways to enjoy travel right now is to visit rural areas, experience rural life and enjoy a clean environment.”
The two-day conference was attended by 500 participants from 21 countries. About 30 speakers from 10 countries shared insightful information about scope and significance of Agri-tourism. Also part of the conference were Pandurang Taware, Founder, Agri Tourism Development Corporation (ATDC); Valsa Nair, Principal Secretary, Department of Tourism, Government of Maharashtra; Dr. Dhananjay Sawalkar, Director, Directorate of Tourism, Government of Maharashtra; Dr. Harsh Verma, Ex Technical Director, UNWTO, Spain; Ashutosh Salil (IAS), Managing Director, MTDC; and D Venketesan, Regional Director, Western and South Region, Ministry of Tourism.It also witnessed participation of national and international experts, researchers and farmers from various countries including Italy, USA, Uganda, South Africa, Philippines, Scotland, Spain and Thailand.
Planning underway
Dr. Dhananjay Sawalkar, Director, Directorate of Tourism, Government of Maharashtra, said, “Negotiations are underway with all the concerned departments with Agri-tourism and the administration is trying to streamline the process of setting up agri-tourism centres by issuing ordinances. We strive to implement this policy successfully with minimal administrative control. Interested farmers will be given free training in hospitality, marketing, etc. The ideal Agri-tourism centres can be included in the business training/evaluation trips of the tourism department. We have recently approved the applications of 86 new Agri-tourism centres and I am confident that the farmers will be inspired by this conference and register for more centres.”
He also suggested that it would be more profitable to set up Agri-tourism centres in well-known tourist destinations in the first phase, where it is difficult to get affordable accommodation. Maharashtra has over 1,000 Agri-tourism centres which are empowering farmers and rural communities to enhance their economic viability.
Also part of the discussion was Steve Borgia, Chairman and Managing Director, INDeco Leisure Hotels, who has pioneered rural tourism in the southern region of India. He said, “We have changed the face of some villages in Tamil Nadu where rural tourism has become a socio-economic tool. But why are we so slow in adopting farm or rural tourism? I believe rural tourism is the future for a country like India because it changes the way the villages are involved in Agri or farm tourism. We have to be so cautious today – we want to have tourists inside those villages and farms, but we don’t want to take it away. Therefore, I also believe that tourism that does not offer benefits to the local communities is not fair tourism.”
Women in the field
The conference highlighted the initiatives taken by women to successfully run the Agri-tourism centres around the world, the development of these centres through their ingenious and innovative methods, thus empowering rural women around the world. Another interesting fact presented was that, because of successful Agri-tourism centres, many urban tourists of these countries are being able to indulge in nature and experience tourism at affordable rates. Some of them who addressed the conference included Dr. Mira Gabor, Ex Principal Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Philippines; Ravazzoli Elisa of Italy; Lisa Chase and Jane Eckert from the USA; Maria Buryamujura of Uganda; Nanda Kasar from Pune; and Dr. Ashwini Kotkar from Thane. They shared their experiences, studies, and various reforms undertaken in their respective regions to promote agri-tourism. They narrated their experiences on how they went out of their traditional roles and started their own business, the difficulties they faced and how they overcame them.
