Definition of Agro tourism

Eco Tourism and Agricultural tourism

A new Initiative in Pakistan A Report By Mr. Allah Dad Khan Former DG AE KPK Ambassador Agriculture Tourism Development Corporation KPK

Definition of Agricultural tourism Nearly any activity in which a visitor to the farm or other agricultural setting contemplates the farm landscape or participates in an agricultural process for recreation or leisure purposes .

Agricultural sector as the backbone of the national economy in many developing and transformation countries.

But, agriculture also characterized by low returns of work and limited opportunities for local youth to find appropriate employment

Agricultural Tourism is also defined as?

Agricultural tourism is also defined as the act of visiting a working farm, or any agricultural, horticultural, or agribusiness operation for the purpose of enjoyment, education, or active involvement in the activities of the farm or operation.

What is Agricultural Tourism?Agricultural tourism is leisurely activities in the rural areas that help a person understand and appreciate the land and the people who live on it. In recent years, travel has become much more than just ticking through the mandatory list of local museums and sites.

Travelers want to slow down when they discover a new destination.

They want to meet locals in their natural environments and become more involved with the land they are visiting. With this in mind, agricultural tourism was born.

At its most basic level, agricultural tourism is a style of travel that takes place on a farm or and usually offers the opportunity to help with on-site farming or ranching tasks during the visit. It entails a meaningful visit with a producer of land-based products and services.

Agricultural Tourism is however not all about staying in a village and relishing the food, this is an opportunity to be close to where the 65 % of Pakistani live.

One of the best things about staying on a farm is that guests can contribute to the place through their involvement.

Our idea is to make tourists live life like a villager, right from milking the cow, ploughing the field, bathing in a well to climbing a tree and plucking fruits

Why Agricultural Tourism?Mother Nature is open door school without brick walls! If observed carefully one can learn something or the other, moreover Pakistan is Agriculturists Country, it is expected that we should know the information related to agriculture and tourism Today urban childrens world has became limited in the closed door school, classes, cartoon programs on the television, video games, chocolates, soft drinks, spicy fast Food, computer, internet, and so on, they see mother nature only on television screen.Now it has become very necessary that children know the traditional way of agricultural farming activities, and other businesses dependant on agriculture.Here children come very close to Mother Nature and learn many new things in life.4. Agricultural tourism contributed to the stability of the agriculture and tourism industries of the state.

5. Agricultural tourism is one alternative for improving the incomes and potential economic viability of small farms.

Why is Agricultural Tourism is important?Agricultural tourism has given people who work in the agricultural and horticultural sectors a chance to share their work with the masses. Some agricultural tourism experiences allow guests to buy food products grown on the farm or hand-crafted products made by the farmers families; purchasing these goods helps provide ranchers who rely on their land with another source of income.Home and consumer education has given way to technology to schools, and many children grow up without ever really knowing what the countryside is or what its like to interact with live farm animals. Agricultural tourism, therefore, gives parents the opportunity to introduce their children to something other than the city life.

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Agro or Agri Tourism Sometimes spelled, "agrotourism,"Agritourismthe idea of bringing urban residents to rural areas for leisure travel and spending.In an increasingly mechanized world, many people have lost touch with how their food is produced, or the region where it originated. Agritourism offers tourists a chance to reconnect with the land,Agritourism immerses visitors in the heritage of a particular culture. Take the time to stop by a working farm or ranch, you will most likely discover people with an intimate knowledge of the history and traditions .nce.

EcotourismEcotourism is a form of tourism that involves visiting natural areasin the remote wilderness or rural environments. According to the definition and principles of ecotourism established by The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) in 1990, ecotourism is "Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people."

Geotourism Geotourism is a knowledge -based tourism, an interdisciplinary integration of the tourism industry with conservation and interpretation of abiotic nature attributes, besides considering related cultural issues, within the geosites for the general public .[1]"A form of natural area tourism that specifically focuses on landscape and geology. It promotes tourism to geosites and the conservation of geo-diversity and an understanding of Earth sciences through appreciation and learning. This is achieved through independent visits to geological features, use of geo-trails and view points, guided tours, geo-activities and patronage of geosite visitor centers".[4]

Kaghan Valley Pakistan

Grub at Haripur Sweet Orange Sold on Road Side

Haripur Loquat

Haripur Litchi

Kalam Valley in Pakistan

How is Agricultural tourism beneficial to rural areas? Well-developed agricultural tourism systems in rural areas have the potential to reverse negative economic trends by bringing in visitors and creating new jobs and local business ventures for rural residentsFor those unfamiliar with the concept, agricultural tourism is a hybrid concept that merges elements of two complex industriesagriculture and travel/tourismto open up new, profitable markets for farm products and services and provide travel experience for a large regional market.

Main Aims of Agricultural Tourism Enhance the communitys capacity to organize their community and sustain services that target specific rural demographic, social, economic, and political trends.Enhance community satisfaction and quality of life.Increase participation in community life.Develop leadership potential among residents.Satisfy the immediate unmet need for recreation programs in rural towns.

Benefits to Farmers From Agricultural Tourism Opportunities it offers to earn additional Farm income, diversify products and marketing, build relations within the community

2. Provide employment for family members.

3. Adding farm recreational activities and entertainment has been a successful strategy for increasing customer traffic to existing farm retail outlets.

4. In other instances, agricultural tourism has become a principal business endeavor.

Agricultural Tourism in Pakistan Agricultural tourism is not a new concept but farmers did not think seriously about it but after financial crises To attain sustainability in agriculture, farmers are now seriously thinking to start agricultural tourism Pakistan also started this and they are getting huge appreciation and a very good response as well. Tariq Tanveer of Qadir Bux Farms and Tofiq Pasha have taken initiative to start agri-tourism In Pakistan

Activities in Agricultural Tourism in Pakistan Agri-Tourism, as its name suggests that it is a blend of and tourism where people come to visit farms Nurseries, parks and tourism spots and experience the true nature!Pick their own foodMake overnight staysBirth day , breakfast , picnic , and weddings parties.Agriculture Festivals , garden nursery tour Farmers Market, on farm sale HikingCampingSchool visit/tours Tractor rides etc.Horse back riding Purchase Flower and fruit Plants Purchase Vases and stone and concrete furniture Purchase handicrafts Purchase livestock Enjoy Organic foods and Fishing .Culture understanding , agriculture related crafts Petting Zoos18. Bird watching

Opportunity of Agricultural Tourism Agri-Tourism is the best answer to small farmers in solving their problems because farmers investment is not that huge and farmers can earn good amount of money which you can use for different purposes like to purchase standard and certified raw materials so that you can get more yield at last.

Linkage between tourism industry and agricultural sector as a possible solution throughDiversification of rural economiesPoverty alleviation & livelihood diversification (particularly women & youth)Small and medium enterprise development and local ownershipPromotion of local production, community pride, heritage and conservationMaintenance of local services and community facilities

Portfolio Tariq Tanveer, CEO ATDC PAKISTAN,DR KHALID MAHMOOD SHOUQ, AMBSSDOR ATDCP, Chief Editor-The Veterinary News and ViewsTARIQ TUFAIL, EDITOR E- AGRI TOURISM ANDJUNAID HAFEEZ, SECRETARY ATDCP/ Distt. Faisalabad Correspondence, The Veterinary News and Views, Director AgrihuntMr Allah Dad Khan Ambassador ATDCP/ Focal Person E Agri KPK/Bureau Chief Editor-The Veterinary News and Views Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province

Agri-Tourism Development Corporation of Pakistan (ATDC Pakistan) connecting people through Food, Farm and Education. we always create opportunities for you and your family to spend some tension free time with nature and enjoy farm fresh feelings.

Agri-Tourism Development Corporation of Pakistan (ATDC Pakistan) Dine in Nature

Kitchen Gardening

CBGE okara vist by ATDC PAKISTAN DELEGATION ..TARIQ TANVIR CEO ATDC PAKISTAN WITH DR KHALID MAHMOOD SHOUQ AMBSSDOR ATDCP

AGRI TOURISIM PAKISTAN .... KABADI MATCH INFO BY TARIQ Tand Dr Shouq

SUNDAY FARMERS BAZAR INGATWALFAISLABAD.....AT AGRICULTURE TOURISIM DEVLOPMENT CORPORATION PAKISTAN.

Gur Mela Layalpur