Agro-tourism push needs industry-specific policies, say farmers

Agro-tourism operators have sought clarity on policies regarding the emerging sector in order to create sustainable business models that stay true to the concept of merging experiential farm visits with eco-friendly practices.

“Though farm stays and agro-tourism are becoming popular, we are still to get clear guidelines on whether we belong to the agricultural or hospitality sector,” K. Naveen, a full-time farmer in Musiri Taluk, told The Hindu. “We have recently presented a proposal to the Tourism Department officials in Chennai, to demarcate our certification norms. Ideally, at least 80% of a farm should be concerned with agricultural activity, and the tourism should be an add-on service,” he added. The farmer and animal rescuer runs a 10-hectare farm and training centre, ‘Naveen Garden,’ at Krishnapuram in Mavilipatty Panchayat. It is one of two properties in Tiruchi district chosen for the agro-tourism project by the Tamil Nadu Tourism Department this year.