Goa farms to expand ‘barefoot luxury’ space for tourists

PANAJI: As the Goa government promotes eco and hinterland tourism, various novel concepts are being explored, and one discussed recently was agro-eco-tourism (AET).

At last week’s Goa Tourism Board (GTB ) meeting, a representative of Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR)-Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute, Ella, told the GTB that farming and linked processes have the potential to be introduced as experiential travel.

A GTB member said that while visits to spice farms have been popular for a while, a bigger opportunity awaits in the segment.

AET, it was stated, will help Goa create its own model of ‘barefoot luxury’ (slower pace of travel in a lush setting) by harnessing its rich biodiversity, well-endowed agricultural traditions, and cultural heritage.

“The ICAR’s suggestion of organising farm tours is wonderful. A segment of tourists will be enthused about farm tours,” said the board member. “Men and women sowing in the rain is a beautiful sight. I am sure many will like to step into a paddy field to know how it feels.”

Dr R Soloman Rajkumar, a senior scientist at ICAR, placed the idea of AET before the tourism board.

Agrarian economic activity — products, services, or experiences — can be linked with travel. The linkage of the mutual needs of farmers and tourists has the potential to create synergies at different levels.

Biodiversity conservation, harvest festivals, heritage foods, farm stays, and visits to livestock farms are among the primary activities listed by ICAR.

The board member said since Goa is nestled amid the biodiversity hotspot of the Western Ghats, it can be a great AET site, and pique the interest of youth, thus diversifying the tourism market and ensuring year-round income to farmers.

This activity will indirectly enhance the value of farm produce. More importantly, a farmer will be able to become an entrepreneur. Experiential tours, the board member said, will not just give tourists an opportunity to connect more closely to nature but also give them a chance to understand the culture and heritage of the region.

The board member said that over the past two years, a few have been organising trips to paddy fields in monsoons, focused on gaining likes and views for social media feeds.

While farming has been on the decline in Goa for over a decade, some Goans have come back to their roots over the past few years to resume farming.



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