Bhubaneswar: In a significant step towards redefining rural livelihoods and integrating tourism, the state government’s Tourism Department, in collaboration with the Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment Department, organized a high-impact workshop on Agro-Tourism today.
The workshop brought together enthusiastic agro-landowners, progressive farmers, policymakers, and domain experts to explore the immense potential of agro-tourism as a catalyst for rural economic transformation.
The event was co-chaired by Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Tourism Pravati Parida and Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo. Their presence highlighted the government’s integrated approach to rural development.
In their addresses, they emphasized the vast potential of converging agriculture with tourism to promote supplementary income generation, rural pride, and sustainable enterprise models across Odisha.
The leadership reaffirmed the State’s commitment to empowering farmers and agro-landowners through structured support, policy convergence, and on-ground implementation of agro-tourism initiatives.
“It is heartwarming to see the youth reconnecting with their roots—celebrating our farm-fresh cuisine and rural way of life. We need to leverage Odisha’s agrarian heritage to build immersive tourism experiences that celebrate the land, people, and culture of the State,” said Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida.
The workshop highlighted the State’s focused efforts under the ‘Vision 2036’ framework, which has identified 15 priority destinations for integrated development. Additionally, the Department of Tourism is actively promoting the establishment of Agro-Tourism Units, aiming to offer curated rural experiences—ranging from farm stays and traditional cuisine to nature trails, handicrafts, and hands-on agricultural engagement. These initiatives are designed to open new income avenues for agro-landowners, self-help groups, and rural communities, fostering inclusive and sustainable rural enterprises.
Officials from the Department of Tourism presented the roadmap for integrating agro-tourism into Odisha’s wider tourism circuit, while experts from Maharashtra and other leading states shared case studies and success models. Discussions also centered around investment facilitation, digital visibility, and support mechanisms through the Mukhyamantri Krushi Udyog Yojana (MKUY), which provides capital subsidies, training, and employment-linked incentives to agro-tourism entrepreneurs.
“As someone who has worked as a farmer, I truly believe in the potential of organic farming. With the right knowledge and support, farmers can make the most of the MKUY guidelines and explore agro-tourism as a reliable source of secondary income,” said Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo.
Odisha is shaping a sustainable, community-driven agro-tourism model that places rural communities at its core—defining the future of tourism in the state through inclusive growth and cultural preservation. The workshop served as a platform to empower agro-landowners and farmers as key players in tourism development, enabling them to transform their farms into destinations of learning, leisure, and livelihood. Women-led initiatives, SHG involvement, and youth entrepreneurship in rural tourism were highlighted as integral to the State’s inclusive growth agenda.
The initiative aims to seamlessly integrate tourism with the rural economy—connecting with the hinterlands, celebrating local livelihoods, and promoting inclusive economic growth rooted in Odisha’s agrarian strengths.
Speaking on the occasion, senior officials reaffirmed the commitment to sustainable and community-driven tourism, stating that agro-tourism will diversify Odisha’s tourism portfolio while ensuring local economic upliftment, cultural preservation, and rural pride.
As part of the experience-sharing segment, the workshop was enriched by the presence of two renowned voices in sustainable tourism—Pandurang Taware and Jayram HR. Taware, widely regarded as a pioneer of agro-tourism in India, shared insights from his extensive grassroots work in Maharashtra, demonstrating how farming can be transformed into immersive rural tourism experiences that generate sustainable income and preserve cultural identity. Jayram HR provided valuable perspectives on responsible and community-driven tourism, highlighting real-world models where rural enterprises thrive through ecological stewardship, capacity building, and visitor engagement. Together, their contributions offered a practical roadmap for stakeholders in Odisha to envision a future where agriculture and tourism converge to empower local communities.
The workshop concluded with an interactive session where participants committed to piloting agro-tourism projects across select districts.
