Amravati: Daily Hindi Editor Sandesh Bhardwaj was presented with the ‘Tourist Friend’ award in the Amravati division on the occasion of World Tourism Day. On the occasion, Deshonnati Daily Editor Prakash Bhau Pohre, Maharashtra Tourism Department Director Vijay Jadhav, Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation Director Mrs. Mausumi Kose, Sustainable Development Centre, Amravati’s Ganesh Chaudhary, Punjabrao Deshmukh Agricultural University expert Prof. Dr. Nitin Konde, and the university’s Soil and Water Conservation Department Prof. Raju Iswal were present.
Agri-Tourism Centers: An Initiative Connecting People to the Soil – Vijay Jadhav, Deputy Director (Tourism)
Hyderabad/Akola : It is essential for future generations to learn about the soil, people, culture, traditions, nature, and culinary heritage of rural areas. Agri-tourism centers offer a glimpse into rural life through various elements, making them an initiative that fosters a deep connection with the soil; this was stated by Vijay Jadhav, Deputy Director of the Amravati Tourism Directorate.
To mark World Tourism Day, a one-day workshop was organized at the Vednandini Agri-Tourism Center in Kanheri Sarap to encourage farmers to adopt agri-tourism as a supplementary business under the state’s agri-tourism policy. Mr. Jadhav was addressing the gathering on this occasion. The event was attended by Mousami Kose (Director, Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation), Ganesh Chaudhary (Centre for Sustainable Development, Amravati), Prof. Dr. Nitin Konde (Expert, Panjabrao Deshmukh Agricultural University), Prof. Raju Iswal (Soil and Water Conservation Department, Agricultural University), Assistant Tourism Officers Kiran Gadekar and Shivaji Gaikwad, Deputy Accountant Rajesh Mohite, Kamlesh Nandanwar, and Mrs. Ujjwala Kale, along with progressive farmers and agri-tourism center directors from the Amravati division.
The program commenced with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp and a presentation of Shri Ganesh Vandana (a prayer to Lord Ganesha) by Kirti Birare and her team. Mr. Jadhav stated that the state’s agri-tourism policy is being implemented with the dual objective of providing farmers with supplementary business opportunities and allowing urban tourists to enjoy tourism while staying in peaceful, nature-rich surroundings. Under this policy, the Directorate of Tourism provides low-interest loans to farmers wishing to establish agri-tourism centers. An interest reimbursement scheme—the ‘Aai’ (Mother) scheme—is implemented for women entrepreneurs in the tourism sector for eligible businesses such as homestays, restaurants, resorts, tour guide services, travel agencies, adventure tourism, electric vehicle services, and agri-tourism centers.
The Tourism Department provides benefits through this scheme to establish agri-tourism centers, offering children and tourists—especially from urban areas—insights into rural culture, traditions, farming practices, crop processing, and culinary heritage through live demonstrations. This scheme creates employment and self-employment opportunities for locals. Mr. Jadhav urged farmers to avail themselves of these schemes and achieve economic prosperity.
Urbanization has led to the decline of traditional farming methods and culinary cultures inherent to rural life. Soil, much like a living being, possesses unique qualities; children can truly grasp the nuances and scientific reasons behind these properties only through hands-on experience. Agri-tourism centers offer the future generation knowledge about the science of nature, agricultural science, and the life cycles of various living creatures, thereby fostering a well-informed and conscious generation. This was highlighted by Prof. Dr. Nitin Konde. Showcasing elements that are gradually fading away—such as folk arts, handicrafts, traditional music and instruments, and local cuisine—at these centers helps preserve rural culture and educates the new generation about it. Furthermore, these centers aid in environmental conservation, and agri-tourism can serve as a foundation for rural development. Prof. Raju Iswal from PKV stated that this platform could effectively facilitate public awareness regarding environmental conservation. Ganesh Chaudhary from the Amravati Sustainable Development Centre briefed the attending farmers about the various facilities available at the agri-tourism centre.
Informative and relevant speeches were delivered at the event. Dignitaries felicitated outstanding agri-tourism centres and ‘Tourism Friends’ (tourism promoters) from the Amravati division. The honorees included Mohan Tejrao Jagtap (Mamach Vavar Agri-tourism Centre, Valtī, Buldhana district), Vijay Shrirao (Mahendri Agri-tourism Centre, Warud, Amravati district), Nagesh Kanname (Roar Agri-tourism Centre, Yavatmal district), Prakash Pohare (Vednandini Agri-tourism Centre, Kanheri Sarap, Akola district), Rahul Deshmukh (Nature Bliss Agri-tourism Centre, Washim district), and ‘Tourism Friend’ Sandesh Bhardwaj (Roar Agri-tourism Centre, Sunna, Yavatmal district).
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