Faiza Tehseen

Flourishing agricultural tourism in Pakistan is expected to help shore up the country’s economy and bring prosperity to its people. Talking to WealthPK, owner of Qadir Bakhsh ornamental plants farm in Gatwala, Faisalabad and founder of Agri-Tourism Development Corporation of Pakistan (ATDCP) Tariq Tanveer said agri tourism was contributing towards improving the socio-economic status of all farming business stakeholders.

‘’The most interesting part of this segment is that every farmer can act as a host by showcasing his or her own farm management and products. It is also a way to develop direct contact among all stakeholders related to this industry. Agri-field trips are bringing awareness about the scope and importance of this sector at all levels. In this way, more entrepreneurs are stepping into this field,’’ he said.

Tariq said the corporation had been working on this initiative for a decade and conducted eight national agri-conferences in different agricultural universities from 2017 to 2022. He said the foundations of agri-clubs were also laid at a few universities and very soon an agri-tourism conference will be announced with the coordination of Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL).

‘’To develop this segment in the country, we are training the framers in development of cottage industries, branding the agri products, making their farms tourist destinations, presentation of best farming practices, development of agri-shops, better showcasing/marketing of their products, tourist invitations, online selling, warehousing, storing, etc.,’’ Qadir said.

He said promoting this emerging segment at all levels and celebrating national fruit/vegetable days was also a part of the plan. In this segment, expos of village traditions, crafts, games, livestock and other farming practices will also be included. In these events, all crops and agri-products of the same area will be focussed and people will also demonstrate how to pick, pickle, preserve, and share their nutritional value.

‘’All stakeholders, i.e. growers, vendors, sellers, buyers, importers, and exporters will also be invited. In this way, all stakeholders will learn to earn and know their power to inject strength into the economy. I represented Pakistan at the agri-tourism conference in Indonesia and the people there are eager to visit Pakistani farms. People from India also participate in many agri-festivals here. Now, a lot of successful agritourism models have been established in the country and the farmers are earning handsomely. For example, a farmer in Bhai-Pheru is farming bamboo and more than 2,000 people visit his farm every day. Visiting tickets are available on payment, earning him millions,” the ATDCP founder said.

Talking to WealthPK about the awareness and importance of agri-tourism in Pakistan, Sajid Iqbal Sindhu, who is also a national agricultural expert NPO/APO Japan, Director General of ATDCP in Punjab, CEO of Green Circle Agricultural Consultancy and Products and Virsa Tourism Resort and ex-chairman of Agronomic Research and Development Board, Punjab, said, “Development of agri-tourism is a great initiative for the economic betterment of Pakistani farmers and for the economy of the country.”

‘’For more than a decade, the ATDCP is working hard on this issue. It is a team of dedicated and self-motivated members working without any type of local or foreign funding. They help to gather all agricultural stakeholders and other people on a platform to make them aware of its importance. Now, the farmers are participating in it vigorously. It is helping them to promote their products and to generate money,’’ he said.

‘’Different promotional activities are performed in this concern, including harvest festivals and village food preparation festivals. The most famous festive events in this regard are Gur (local name for jaggery), Lyallpur village festival, rice festival, etc. Every harvest is a festivity for the farmer. Recently, Papaya festival was celebrated at my own farm in Faisalabad. Now, farmers are participating in it vigorously. Not only are they organizing and participating in such events, but they are also earning handsomely through such activities,” he said.

Pakistan is an agricultural country and promotion of this sector is key to its socio-economic prosperity. Global agri-tourism market is projected to reach US$62,982.6 million at an compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.4% by the year 2027 from US$42,460.3 million in 2019. So, the authorities in Pakistan must also focus on the tourism segment not only to develop a soft image of the country, but also to improve farmers’ economic status.

Credit : Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk