Agro-tourism has scope in region: Expert

Nagpur: "Today's generation needs to be aware of how our food is produced as nearly 60% of the population is dependent on agriculture. Nagpur has the potential to not just become a tourism centre but also a knowledge hub. People are in constant search of interesting places to visit during weekends and agro-tourism will provide them knowledge, and pleasure," said Milind Shende, superintending agriculture officer, on Tuesday.

Shende was speaking at a daylong workshop organized by Indo-Israel Krishi Vikas Sanstha and Maharashtra Agriculture and Rural Tourism Cooperative Federation (MART) at Maharajbagh Club. The aim of the workshop was to reinforce the fact that agriculture and rural tourism can bring good business to farmers.

The event was inaugurated by Shende, former World Bank adviser RB Thakre, regional director of Ignou P Sivaswaroop and regional director of Organic Farming Centre Ajay Rajput.

In his address, Rajput, who is in charge of seven states for organic farming, said that farmers in Nagpur are updated about changes in agricultural practices. "It is time to add industrial values to farming to usher in a change," he said, giving examples of initiatives such as 'e-fasal'. "If done systematically, experiments work. One should learn marketing techniques to know what is in demand. Let's hope that problems faced by the farmers in Yavatmal recently do not occur again."

Sivaswaroop said, "Most children today don't know where from milk comes. We have distanced ourselves from nature and that's how agro-tourism can help bring a positive effect."

Experts guided participants on agriculture tourism policy, supplementary industry and various government schemes. The workshop saw a variety of speakers addressing elements of agro-tourism by giving tips and sharing their experiences.

Sunil Mankikar, director of MART, was the first to begin the workshop by speaking on 'Setting up of agro-tourism centre and allied activities, MTDC and MARJ schemes'. He gave practical tips for setting up a centre at low cost and availing government benefits.

Amol Khante addressed the participants on adventure tourism, followed by Mahendra Mahajan's session on scientific agricultural vastushastra. Narendra Jog spoke on the food aspect while LB Kalantri touched on the benefits of sericulture tourism. Dr Pratik Ikhar discussed about security and first aid while Jayant Lanjewar spoke on hospitality. Kalyan Joshi highlighted medical tourism while Prachiti Dhond dealt on yoga tourism.

Vivek Suryavanshi, who runs an agro-tourism place close to the Adegaon gate of Bor Tiger Reserve, said, "It was enriching to meet new people and engage in different facets of one concept. It provided a complete picture under one roof and a chance to meet those like us."

Sangeeta Mishra and her family owns a piece of land in Chhindwara. "Earlier, I was sceptical about the idea of agro-tourism. But, over a period of time, I found that it is one of the second best options after farming. This workshop equipped farmers with a lot of information," she said.