The farm tourism scheme was formally launched on World Tourism Day ,on 27th September, 2003. The concept of farm tourism envisages involvement of private sector the farmers or farm house owners based on public private partnership. The farm house owner’s act as both hosts and guides to the visiting tourist. The farm houses have clean, hygienic environment with modern facilities for comfort of visitors. Preference is given to farm which have agricultural land attached. The farm house owner is supposed to provide home cooked food, stay facilities and show the visitor the agricultural practices such as floriculture, harvesting, bee keeping, dairying etc. and introduce to him the village way of life through various participatory activities.
The visitors can enjoy the natural surroundings in fresh air. The tour of village includes visiting the local artisans like the carpenter, blacksmith etc. The visitors have experience of festival occasion such as marriage and local meals. They can also participate or witness village games. Experiences such as jumping on the hay and taking bath in the tube well could be unique feature for the people and children from urban areas. They can also see the important fairs and festivals being organized in these areas along with important monuments, havelies, historical sites etc. Each farm can aim at developing a unique selling point some are specializing in organic farming, others is in floriculture, natural health management etc.
“Farm tourism” refers to a comprehensive operational entity that uses courtyards, gardens, orchards, ponds and other natural landscapes and rural culture resources to provide visitors with agricultural experiences, such as sightseeing, entertainment, labor, leisure, accommodation, catering and other services.
Farm tourism in Kerala is being developed as a relatively new tourism product.Kerala, being an agricultural dominated state, has tremendous potential for developing Farm Tourism in a big way without much additional investment. Reports state that Kerala has 30.22 lakhs hectares of gross cropped area which is 56.78% of the State’s total geographical area. More than 1/3rd of the cropped area contains plantations of Tea, Coffee, Rubber, Pepper, Cardamom and Ginger, and another 1/3rd of this area is covered by Coconut plantations.
The Government decision to allow 5% of the farm area for tourism purpose has been an encouraging factor for the tourism industry. Numerous projects are being planned by the state to prepare the Farm or Plantations of Kerala to receive tourists by presenting a positive image of the farm and of agriculture as a whole, in view of revitalizing the agriculture sector through tourism and increasing tourist traffic to the state.
Farm tourism can contribute to the overall income, cash flow and profitability of a farm based business in kerala. It will allow an alternative source of income from the produce you sell from the farm (milk, cattle, poultry etc) and can involve members of the farm business that are not fully involved in the day to day operation of the farm. It also marketing arm of agriculture in general and industry in particular.
Farm tourism Kerala are offering relaxed holidays filled with Pleasure trips and adventure, at the same time can feel peace of mind and enjoyment. Farm tourism in Kerala aim to provide a new experience by Feel the fresh air and natural life style of the rural people and stay away from all tensions and stress in life.
Farm Tourism is an integral part of Eco Tourism but there is a slight difference. While artificially created landscapes are part of Eco Tourism.The goal of Farm Tourism is to show the curious tourist about Nature in her pristine purity. Farm Tourism preserves the environment. Chemical Farming is also prohibited, as no processes which damage Nature is allowed. Organic Farming and its development give tremendous impetus to Farm Tourism.
Some of the Advantages of farm tourism in Kerala are
• Independence
• Personal satisfaction
• Control of direction
• Contact with a wide range of people
Disadvantages of farm tourism in Kerala are
• High level of responsibility
• High financial risk
• Long working hours
• Lack of time away
• Close contact with people who may have different attitudes, habits or beliefs.
• Need to be friendly all the time
• Pressure on self and family relationships
Personal attributes required for a successful operator of a firm tourism venture in Kerala.
• Ability to work with people even under stress
• Capacity to work long and unusual hours
• Industry experience and willingness to undertake training
• Ability to relate to people from different cultural and social backgrounds
• Sensitivity to the needs of groups and individuals
• Ability to solve problems quickly and without fuss
• Ability to keep cool under pressure
• Total support of spouse, family and others involved/affected by the business
• Ability to project a positive attitude through appearance and speech
• Good general fitness
• Good public relations and selling.
Farm Tourism – Destinations Kerala
Pathanamthitta is a true farm tourism destination housing tropical diversity adorned with fertile agricultural land where plantations, paddy, tapioca, varieties of vegetables and spices like cardamom, pepper etc. are extensively cultivated. Pathanamthitta as a farm destination also abounds in rubber plantations.Agriculture is the main occupation of the people of Pathanamthitta farm tourism destination.About 80% of the district population depend on it directly or indirectly. The main crops raised in the district are paddy, tapioca, rubber, sugarcane, pepper and banana, making Pathanamthitta a farm tourism destination with lot of scope.
Palakkad is an ideal farm tourism destination with its picturesque location, distinctive Palmyra trees and extensive green paddy fields. Located on the banks of Chittur river in Palakkad farm tourism destination is a unique farming venture that has undertaken the mission to bring back the fast losing significance of Navara, a grain considered to be of great value from the healthcare point of view. Spread over an area of 18 acres, the Navara organic Eco Farm near Chittur in Palakkad farm tourism destination also has other types of crops like coconut, mango, pomegranate, medicinal herbs, bamboo and vegetables. A maximum of eight visitors can be accommodated in the farm at a time, and the stay here gives one the opportunity to enjoy some of the local delicacies.
Kumbalanghi is a perfect farm tourism village destination in central Kerala, close to the port town of Cochin which has a vast stretch of backwaters connected by interlocking waterways to the whole of Kerala. It is an ideal getaway location for tourists from all over the world. What makes it more interesting to visit the eco tourism village of Kumbalanghi is that it is a virgin landscape unspoiled by excessive presence of tourists. Here you will find the calm, quite and tranquil landscape with warm inhabitants who depend on nature for their survival. A day in Kumbalanghi farm tourism destination can be a festival to remember; a treat for the eyes and the mind.
Kottayam as a farm tourism destination, is an important commercial centre of Kerala,thanks to its strength as a producer of cash crops. Most of Indias natural rubber originates from the acres of well-kept plantation farms of Kottayam, also home to the Rubber Board, One of the country’s primary commodities board. Kottayam, among the states more mountainous districts, provides some of Kerala’s finest natural scenes sandwiched as it is between serene palm-fringed backwaters on the west and the Western Ghats on the east.
Idukki is Keralas most prominent spice farm tourism destination and Kerala’s history is closely linked with its commerce, which in turn was wholly dependent until recent times on its spice trade. Idukki district in Kerala has been known for its spices and travelers around the world have journeyed here for trading in spices. It is believed that the spice trade dates back to three thousand years. Pepper still remains the king of Keralas spices, Idukki being the source of origin.Idukki spice tourism destination also has a very rich produce in cardamom, cinnamon, nutmeg, mace, ginger and turmeric. As in the past, the state of Kerala continues to be the spice capital of the world.
Vagamon is an ideal farm tourism destination located 100 kms from Kochi and 64 kms from Kottayam -the nearest railway station. It is easily accessible by road from Kottayam and Cochin. Vagamon, at an elevation of 1100 m above the sea level is a paradise for the seekers of peace and tranquility blessed with an abundance of nature. The hill station is surrounded by tea estates and farmlands and will soon become Indias foremost Eco-Tourism and Farm Tourism projects. The hill station is an amalgamation of natural beauty, religious mysticism and colonial legacies. Vagamon is surrounded by three chains of hills, namely, Thangal hill, Murugan hill and Kurisumala
Mattupetty, the farm tourism destination in Munnar, Kerala, is situated at a height of 1700 m above sea level, 13 Km from the town. Mattupetty Lake and Dam is a major picnic spot, with the panoramic view of the tea plantations and the lake. Boating facilities are available in the reservoir. Mattupetty is also well known for its highly specialized dairy farm. There are over 100 varieties of high yielding cattle at the specialized dairy farm at Mattupetty and visitors are allowed into three of the eleven cattle sheds at the farm. The large amount of perennially flowing water allows wild animals and birds to flourish, and has been a vital source of power.
How to determine the price for Firm Tourism Products
To be successful in your business venture as a farm tourism operator you need to price product (business) properly within the market place. The pricing must be such not only that it gets business in the door and the client leaves feeling they have got value for money, but it must also return a profit to you for your effort, time and investment. The base net rate is what you, as the operator must receive from the sale of your product. Included in the base rate are overhead costs, other operating costs and your profit margin.
Net rate = Overhead costs + Operating costs + Profit
Retail price = Net Rate + Distribution costs
Overhead and operating costs include Labour and on costs , Cleaning, maintenance and repairs, Stock (including stationery, linen, food, petrol, telephone & postage, machinery and uniforms), Bank charges, Accounting and legal expenses, Marketing . Distribution costs must be added to net rates to create a retail price. A retail price is the maximum price a customer pays for the product, irrespective of where it is bought.
The decision to begin farm tourism in Kerala needs to be taken with care. One must carefully consider suitability and what farm and area has to offer. More over it is necessary to understand the commitment and potential conflicts that it may create with the farm business. You must carefully research the market, the competition, and the legal requirements. You must have a well thought out and comprehensive business plan. If farm tourism is for you, and you approach it with a business like manner you will have rewarding business in kerala where monetary returns are only part of the benefits. Farm tourism will inevitably lead to over-exploitation of scenic resources, destruction of the ecological environment, and the ending result must be the local ecological, economic and social unsustainable development. It meets the needs of contemporary people at the expense of future generations’ interests. From the long-term interests, the development of "farm tourism" must be the path of sustainable development.
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