Agri/Agro Tourism Planning of Municipalities of Nepal: A Case of Thaha Municipality, Makwanpur

Abstract

People engaged in agriculture has decreased from 94.4 (1971) to 65.7 (2001 AD) in Nepal. In Thaha municipality about 51.48 % of agriculture land and 65.52 % involved in agriculture profession. Tourism is now well recognized as an engine of growth in the various economies of the world. Nepal has potential in being one of several other countries that have transformed their economies by developing their tourism potential. Tourism has greater capacity to generate large-scale employment and additional income sources to the skilled and unskilled workforce. Today the concept of traditional agriculture has been changed like the emergence of Agri-Tourism Organic agriculture. Agri-tourism is a way of sustainable tourist development opportunity, alternative sources of income for farmer and multi-activity in rural areas through which the visitor has the opportunity to get close awareness with agricultural areas, agricultural occupations, local products, traditional food and the daily life of the rural people, as well as the cultural elements and traditions of the local communities. A survey method, field studies ,sustainable livelihood assessment and strategic management (SWOT) are utilized in this study to determine the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats in the transition from conventional farming in Thaha municipality and a questionnaire survey based Kobo collect tool and SPSS for analyzing data. This study attempted to discuss the relationship between the environment, social benefits, and facilities as the relevant construct by observing their significant role in assessing Agri Tourism Potential. All the related information to address the objective of the study was extracted through the survey conducted at the potential site involving the residents, entrepreneurs and the farmers. Through analysis the result revealed that all the eight constructs found to be related in promoting the Agri tourism potential at Thaha Municipality Makawanpur. The purpose of this study is to find out the contextual situation of main Criteria for the destination selection from the group discussion and individual interview survey of the Thaha municipality area among 8 variable as , attraction ,accessibility ,accommodation ,facility ,tourist activities ,actors, affinities-guest-host relationship, management of 8 places Daman, Mulabari, Kunchal, Dadabas, Kotathumki, Indrayanichaura, Chitlang, Lemphu. Total point get from group discussion and interview of eight tourist destination of Thaha municipality that can be identify that weakness and strength of area. It reflects the present situation of Thaha municipality tourism. Thaha municipality is rich tourist attraction point of view. In attraction sector total highest point of 193 obtained. It is nearby capital city Kathmandu and first highway Tribhuwan highway passes from it. Genesh man high way is under construction from where it is 13 km away from Kathmandu. It is found that Thaha is accessible point of view get easily of total point 100. It is found that tourist and business relation very weak and threat for both tourist and hotel, resort owner. In prioritization list Chitlang got good position in compare with other places. Thaha municipality situated in the Mahabharata range there has lot of valley, plain land, hill, (Laka,Besi,Kachhad). Main principle of Planning of Agri tourism based on Traditional System in Hill and mountain region on LAKA< BESI <KACHHAD. Plain region (BESI) of land mainly agriculture production, Middle land (KACHHAD) house build for people, and High land (LAKA) for animal grazing. Planning is done on shareholder basis for the area. Agricultural irrigated land (Percent of total) 29.74 Percent in 2010 of Nepal’s territory, providing 65. 7 Percent of Agriculture profession. To improve agricultural, agri-tourism in municipalities’ planning and development, a wide range of positive measures should be undertaken. Agri tourism in agricultural lands, when properly managed and developed, plays a major part in agri-tourism and supporting those working in and around agri tourism through jobs and increasing incomes. Based on the analysis of agri-tourism in Thaha municipality, the paper discusses the current status, obstacles and countermeasures for agri-tourism in municipality. Lack of capacity of receiving tourists, 34.52 Percent of Thaha population not involved in agriculture profession and well-educated practitioner are barriers to effective development of agri-tourism in Municipalities. The challenges faced by the operators include expense, lack of capital, interaction with public, marketing, availability of skill labor, training of employees, health, record keeping, and weather and liability issues. In consideration of Agri tourism characteristics, these barriers can be overcome with government rational plans, and professional practitioner’s cultivation. Thaha municipality found that 75 percentage of respondent aware of word agri tourism. The ways and means of increasing awareness to the farmers, residents and investors skill enhancement and trainings, local guide and tour leader’s trainings, upgrade the origination and management capacity of local lodge/hotel/home stays, training on language and interaction with tourist, training on organic farming. In this study I have found that awareness and opinion regarding agri-tourism in Thaha municipality. Status of agri-tourism indentified by general situation, SWOT analysis and livelihood assessments of Thaha municipality by qualitative method and eight variables used in quantitative analysis. The proposal of zoning according to Leka,kachhad and besi concept in land use planning and prepare Strategy to promote and sustain Agri tourism in Thaha.