Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) will be organising Agri Tourism Conclave 2016 to boost agriculture tourism in the Vidharba region. The main motive of this conclave is to increase employment and investment opportunities in agro-tourism in Vidarbha region. The conclave will take place on November 20, 2016 at Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development in Nagpur, during the Kalidas Festival 2016.
The conclave will be inaugurated by Pravin Datke, Mayor of Nagpur, followed by a presentation on encouraging people to take up agri-tourism as a profession by enterprising speakers from Baramati, Washim, Pune, Nagpur and Satara. This is expected to serve two purposes – boosting the farmer’s income and also bringing rural India closer to the cities. The two-hour conclave will enlighten the audience with the benefits of agro-tourism.
The conclave is likely to have 300-400 people including agricultural department, students, families and senior citizens.
Dr KH Govinda Raj, MD, MTDC, stated, “As tourism is becoming increasingly important to the economy. Agricultural tourism is one alternative for improving the incomes and potential economic viability of small farms and rural communities. The objectives for promoting rural and agro-tourism is to educate the public and promote the products of the farm and generate additional farm income; provide rural experience to urban residents and allow diversification of income opportunity to farms and ranches that can help buffer fluctuating markets.”
Swati Kale, GM, MTDC, added, “The concept of agro-tourism is catching up fast across Maharashtra. Agricultural tourism in Vidarbha region will not only increase tourism footfall but will also generate employment and investment opportunities for better sustainability in the region. Maharashtra is the pioneering state in promoting agro-tourism and it is imperative that farmers who run agro-tourism centers should get sustainable tourists inflow from urban cities.”
