AGRICULTURE holds a significant position in the economic and social structure of our country, and if we are to progress, we must focus on this sector. We often hear that traditional agriculture should be strictly organized along business lines. In this context, traditional agriculture needs new experiences for sustainable growth.
Agritourism is an experience that can generate weekly income, which could cover the farm’s weekly expenses. Small farms can offer cultural and agricultural exhibitions, entertainment for children, local foods like greens (sag), corn bread, butter, sugarcane juice pudding, horse carriage rides, jaggery fair, horse shows, farmer markets and more. These activities would attract visitors, boosting farmers’ incomes. Moreover, this would offer people the opportunity to enjoy leisure time in the peaceful environment of rural areas, away from the hustle of daily city life.
Promoting agricultural tourism can certainly change the fate of the residents of our land through tours of orchards and fields. Money would flow from cities to villages. Urban residents would be introduced to a healthy form of recreation that, along with sightseeing, would also enhance their knowledge and experience. The most benefit would go to cities, as Agritourism would bring greenery from rural areas to urban centres. When people return from enjoying the countryside, filled with trees and fields, they would surely develop a love for nature, and at the very least, would be motivated to plant trees and shrubs around their homes.
For the development of Agritourism, it is essential to create a master plan. Agritourism centres should be established at the district level to provide complete training and information to local orchard and farm owners on how they can turn their properties into Agritourism farmhouses to generate additional income. Loans should be offered under easy terms to those setting up Agritourism farmhouses. These centres should also launch awareness campaigns to encourage city residents to prefer Agritourism for recreation and travel. New ideas should also be developed to generate interest in Agritourism, as it is not just about sports, recreation, or sightseeing, but is a vital chapter in the country’s development.
Along with national development, Agritourism can address many social issues, with the foremost being the migration of rural populations to cities. Agricultural land is becoming part of urban populations and the increase in city populations is primarily due to the migration of rural people seeking employment. As agriculture fades from rural areas, people head to cities in search of livelihoods, leading to population growth, with cities expanding up to 100 kilometres around.
Another major issue is the consumption of substandard food, particularly poorly prepared milk and unhealthy meat, low-quality spices and various unknown additives. Along with this, vegetables grown using chemicals and pesticides are making food harmful. Small farmhouses can grow vegetables for personal use, free from chemicals and pesticides. If farmers’ incomes increase through Agritourism, it will have a positive impact on the national economy, and they will also have access to pure food. In this context, Non-Resident Pakistanis in Washington, D.C., welcome the agro-farming delegation from Pakistan in May to the USA, fostering great B2B linkages between US and Pakistan-based stakeholders to promote Agritourism in Pakistan.
—The writer is contributing columnist, based in Faisalabad.
(ranazahid4@gmail.com)
