THE POTENTIAL OF AGRITOURISM IN NEPAL

Abstract

Agri-tourism is the latest concept that gives you the opportunity to experience the real alluring and authentic contact with the village life, taste the local veritable food and get familiar with the many farming tasks during the visit. It provides you the welcome break free from the daily busy and hectic life in the peaceful village environment. It gives you the chance to relax and reinvigorate in the pure natural environment, surrounded by splendid setting. It gives you the chance to see the real Nepal and have the experience on the farm stay holidays. Many Nepalese farmers are considering the use of agri-tourism as a mode of diversifying their farm operations. The overall potential for agri-tourism can only be achieved if strategies to address and overcome their challenges are developed and implemented. At present, subsistence farming is done in a traditional way. Agriculture is vulnerable to climate change and natural hazards. The agricultural practices are not mechanized and modernized. There is a need of high production in a sustainable way so that to bring transformation and improve the rural livelihood. This report is an attempt to identify the potential of agri-tourism in Nepal by highlighting major challenges in this issue with some useful recommendations. This study aims to identify the potential for agri-tourism development in rural region of Nepal. The report includes the study of the existing conditions, challenges and recommended strategies for the prosperity of agri-tourism industry. For the study both qualitative and quantitative method has been used. A pilot survey was initially done and the objectives were revisited after analyzing the data collected. Then a visit was made on Balthali. For the study, the agro based village environment having operational tourism on the nearest proximity from the Kathmandu valley was selected. Balthali has a beautiful rural setting and prominent agricultural practices. It is known for its hiking trial and as a nearest getaway destination. A polycentric development model was adopted which stimulate the development by forming a network with neighboring growth poles. The sample size of 25 respondents was taken and the quantitative survey was conducted. The key informant survey was also conducted with three national level experts to understand the principle vision and scenario of the policy makers. An in-depth, statistical and saturation method was used to make analysis. Based on the analysis, the results obtained shows that the rural people are willing to operate agritourism on their farm and they are positive towards cooperative approach.