AN INNOVATIVE CONCEPT TO EARN AN EXTRA INCOME FROM AGRI TOURISM-THE CASE OF AN AGRI-TOURISM CENTRES IN MAHARASHTRA, INDIA

Abstract

This study was conducted by using case study research method and it is restricted to two Agri Tourism Centres only. Both the cases are from Pune District of Maharashtra State of India. First case called as Mauli Krushi Paryatan Kendra operated by Mr. Janardhan Thopte and the second case is Mayur Krushi Paryatan Kendra operated by Mr. Maruti Govind Ukirde. In this study the issues related to operate the AgriTourism centres are discussed in depth. Mainly focused on scope to operate Agri Tourism, challenges, implications and sustainability were discussed. As a case study method of investigation main focus was to get the first hand information form the Agri-Tourism Operators mainly on types of services provided such as stay facilities, ethnic food, activities undertaken at the centres, to know the rural culture and sustainability of the Agri-Tourism centres to get an extra income out of the farm activities and look beyond as entrepreneurship. Regarding the first case i.e. Mauli Krushi Paryatan Kendra started by Mr Thopte in the year 2009 on 8 acres of land without taking financial aid. Mr Thopte engaged 8 people to work for tourism and farming activities and out of tourism activities he is able to get net income of Rs.1,30,000 in a year whereas the income from agriculture is only Rs.50,000. The second case called as Mayur Krushi Prayatan Kendra owned by Mr Ukirde started on 6 acres of land since 2006 and his net income from tourism activities is Rs.1.00 lakh only in nine months from June to December as summer is very hot in this area due to very low rainfall. In both the cases major constraint is a marketing and to get the popularity of their centres among the urban visitors. Both the Agri Tourism operators taking help form the Agro Tourism Development Corporation (ATDC) and Maharashtra State Agri and Rural Tourism CoOperative Federation Ltd (MART) for advertising the centres.