Q - What is Farm Tourism?
In Kerala, which is an agri state, Farm Tourism is promoted as a new tourism product. Without much investment, F T can be marketed, as Kerala has 30 lakh hectares of gross cropped area. More than 33% contain plantations of Tea, Coffee, Rubber, Cardamom et al and more than 33% contain coconut plantation. The State has 350 K lakh hectares under paddy cultivation.
5% of the total land has been allocated for F T..There are schemes which are under way to prepare the plantations/ Farms to receive tourists by presenting a positive image of the Farm and Agri as a whole. The Agri Sector is therefore revitalised and will increase tourist arrivals in the State.
Farm Tourism is an integral part of Eco Tourism but there is a slight difference. While artificially created landscapes are part of Eco Tourism - gardens, pond etc - the goal of Farm Tourism is to show the curious tourist about Nature in her pristine purity. .
More info about Farm Tourism at
http://www.keralaheritages.com/html/farmtourism.htm