Image: Baban Vide

60-year-old Baban Vide is one among the many locals living around Dirghayu Farms Agri Resort in Shahapur, on the outskirts of Mumbai. Before the existence of this agri-tourism centre, he had to travel long-distance to make a living. But things are different for him and others in the vicinity after the private farm was turned into an agri-centre.

Image: Bharati Pardhe

For Bharati Pardhe, getting employment in the agri-tourism centre has not only helped her find a regular income but also support her child’s education. She said, “This agri-resort has helped in improving my living condition.”

Mumbai-based couple — Dr Ashwinee Kotkar and Pravin Kotkar — who own and manage Dirghayu Farms Agri Resort, had started cultivation in the property for personal use. But later understood the impact this venture had in their income and the locals there. This encouraged them to turn it into an agri-resort.

Pravin Kotkar said, “What started as an agriculture property has now been turned into an agri-tourism centre — creating direct and indirect employment in the region. Such centres in various locations will be a boon for an agrarian state like Maharashtra.”

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Agri-Tourism Policy In Maharashtra

After understanding the potential of agri-tourism centres, the Maharashtra government in September, 2020 cleared an agri-tourism policy. The policy was introduced with an aim to improve the income of farmers and give a fillip to rural economy; and to help tourists have a blissful experience.

The tourist can spend time on a farm and learn the different facets of agriculture. Even before the policy was developed for such agri-centres, the state had created demand for the segment – by making visiting a farm mandatory for school children as part of their curriculum.

This helps the farmers or farms not only have tourists visiting these centres but also find consumers for their agri produce or value-added products. Even when COVID hit, Dirghayu farm was able to sell the farm produce directly to the urban customers, Kotkar alluded.

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He said, "The state created a demand for these agri centres by making school visits compulsory. In 2017, the state had made it mandatory for schools to have one visit to farms. This helped in generating demand but the supply for quality agri-centres continue to be low."

The agri-tourism policy is expected to tackle this gap. Meanwhile, Taware added in 2019, the segment in the state attracted around 15-20 lakh visitors.

Dhananjay Sawalkar, Joint Director of Maharashtra Directorate of Tourism said, “Agri-tourism is a very strong vertical in the tourism sector in Maharashtra. We came up with the policy two years back. We are the first state in the country to come out with the agri-tourism policy.”

Maharashtra has been divided into nine agro-climatic zones on the basis of annual rainfall, soil types, vegetation and cropping pattern — allowing more and more options for tourists.

“Urban India has lost touch with the soil. And such farms will give a glimpse of rural living,” added Taware. According to a survey conducted by ATDC, it was found that more and more people living in urban India have either lost touch or have no relatives left in rural India.

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According to agri-tourism policy, an individual farmer, agricultural cooperative societies, agricultural research centres, agricultural universities, or farmer producers companies can set up agricultural centres. The state tourism department will certify these centres and renew thereafter.

This certification will allow these centres to avail various tax benefits, borrowing options and other benefits.

There are over 500 centres recognised so far. Sawalkar added the state has received over 250 applications in the last 3 months. “Agri-tourism is growing in a bigger way. The farmer operators say that their income has improved by over 40 percent post setting up of the centre,” he added.

Existing operators in this space fear that the state may reverse the good achieved by the policy if the quality of such centres are compromised by operators. Kotkar said, “The state should have some vigilance or action committee to keep some checks and balances in place which will go a long way.” Failing which, the overall concept will be hit, added Kotkar.

More & More States Coming Forward

The success of this policy has attracted interest from states like Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh. Pandurang Taware is in talks with some states to support them in developing this policy. UP has already recognised 18 districts to promote agri-tourism.

While other states are still developing their policies, Maharashtra has been making periodic amendments to its policy based on the need of the segment -- these include allowing private investments in such farms.

Today, 70 percent of India's rural households still depending primarily on agriculture for their livelihood and as more states develop similar policies, India's agritourism industry could grow 20 percent annually and account for a sizeable portion of the global agritourism market, which is expected to grow to 62.98 billion dollars by 2027.

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First Published:Nov 2, 2022 8:12 PM IST