Himachal Pradesh needs an agritourism policy that aligns with its nutraceutical riches and Buddhist heritage

With a growing debt of over Rs 1 lakh crore, Himachal Pradesh is exploring avenues to revive its economy through innovative measures. Tourism, one of the state’s key revenue generators, contributes about seven per cent to its total economy. 

Efforts are being aimed to increase state revenue from the tourism sector. Recently, in a bid to optimise these gains, the Himalayan state launched a policy on homestays to expand the existing tourism circuit — earning a mixed response from stakeholders. 

However, to address the current challenges, there is a need to link the tourism sector with other modes of livelihood, such as education and agriculture. 

Agritourism is a concept that fits perfectly for connecting education, agriculture and tourism. Himachal needs to look beyond traditional tourism measures and explore ways to extend tourists' stays in a sustainable manner.

Opportunity for cross-sector collaboration

Himachal can take the lead among Himalayan states by introducing a dedicated agritourism policy that promotes the holistic development of diverse sectors. Recently, the Goa government launched a special policy integrating agriculture with tourism. 

This policy focuses on farm diversification, including the cultivation and promotion of cash crops that appeal to tourists, while also ensuring remunerative returns for farmers. 

This approach offers Himachal an opportunity to think beyond its apple orchards that are constantly at the mercy of market forces.

In the education sector, visits to agricultural farms should be encouraged to help school and college students understand the origins of their food.

Establishing agritourism in Himachal 

Among various initiatives by Himachal, tulip farming has recently attracted attention from visitors. Enterprises like these should be expanded to offer unique experiences to tourists, beyond traditional attractions like mall roads and snowfall.

Integrating tulip farms or similar cash-crop farms into agritourism, along with encouraging farm stays of extended duration, is essential for better economic returns for hosts and an enriched experience for visitors. Engaging local youth in storytelling about various unique farms could also strengthen the connection with visitors. 

Organising national-level crop fairs would serve as an important platform for knowledge-sharing among stakeholders. An integrated agritourism model, involving public-private partnerships with defined roles, would enrich the tourism experience with innovative cash crops. 

This model can be extended to other agricultural sectors, such as tea tourism, apple tourism, value-added product processing and the food and healthcare industries. 

Considering the heritage of Himalayan herbs, Himachal can take advantage of furthering its footprints in the nutraceutical sector and tourists can be enticed for practical insights because modern day consumers are looking for protective measures rather than curative measures. 

This would create a multiplier effect on the economic, social, and environmental pillars of sustainability, benefiting the rural economy. Cross-country collaborations, such as farmer exchange programs with developed nations, would also help grow the agritourism sector with a focus on innovative crops.

Moreover, panchayat-level fairs celebrating local crops, especially during sowing or harvest seasons, could serve as another mechanism to connect farmers directly with consumers. These fairs would give farmers the opportunity to secure pre-orders, while also allowing consumers, both local and from urban centers, to appreciate the value of fresh, locally grown produce. Demonstrating agricultural products in urban spaces like malls would further raise awareness of the value of fresh farm produce and increase its demand.

Agritourism model with a Buddhist circuit 

In each district, model agritourism farms can be developed to highlight the cultural heritage and agricultural activities of the region, complemented by laser shows at night to engage visitors with the historical heritage. The Buddhist community in Himachal also presents a unique opportunity to integrate spiritual tourism with agritourism.

Buddhist philosophy emphasises an interesting connection with nature and agriculture, and Himachal’s ongoing initiatives in natural and organic farming can appeal to spiritually inclined tourists, offering opportunities for sustainable collaboration. 

Himachal can build a unique model of connecting Buddhist circuit with agritourism with an integration of farmers’ traditional knowledge about crop practices and monk’s application to farming adopted at monasteries. Such re-imagination of food practices will surely grab the attention of millions of visitors across the globe with an interest in Buddhism.

Moreover, traditions like celebration of ploughing festivals, harvesting festivals can be celebrated together by Buddhist visitors and local communities under the said model of agritourism. 

Such agritourism models can be built with an initial corpus fund supported by government and later on with smooth conduct of proposed activities, such units can be made self-sustained and a role model for other states and countries.      

Going forward, the challenges related to destination social responsibility must be carefully addressed by all stakeholders.

This requires capacity-building for visitors (both domestic and foreign, as well as students and other interested parties) to ensure they respect local culture, destinations, and hosts. Simultaneously, the farming community must be sensitised to meet-and-greet norms to develop sustainable ties with tourists.

Dr. Mohit Sharma is an Assistant Professor (Agri- Business) at the School of Agri- Business & Rural Management which is part of the Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University (RPCAU) in Bihar's Samastipur.

Views expressed are author’s own and don’t necessarily reflect that of Down To Earth