Agro-tourism can strengthen rural economy

Anew chapter in the development of tourism industry in Bangladesh can be initiated through agro-tourism. Agro-tourism helps to redistribute urban-centric economic resources. Its main objective is to promote agricultural products through entertainment and travel. For this, the villages of certain thanas under each district should be identified as farm-based areas. Agro-tourism is basically considered as a sub-sector of tourism. The writer believes that agro-tourism will play an important role in strengthening the economy of Bangladesh. Despite the involvement of a huge population in agriculture, the rural economy is still largely weaker than the urban economy. Nowadays, people are constantly moving from villages to cities permanently. Farmers are changing occupations and engaging in other professions. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has taken various development schemes to strengthen the rural economy which deserves much appreciation. In agro-tourism a farmer can grow his crops as well as make his home and land “agro-tourism friendly” as a year-round source of income. Agro-tourism has been recognized in the policy framework of the Ministry of Agriculture and the Agricultural Extension Policy 2020 has suggested improving agro-tourism.

Agro-tourism can be an out-of-the-box concept in Bangladesh’s tourism industry, which can strengthen the rural economy of Bangladesh. If we want to consider the whole of Bangladesh as a tourist spot, then there is no alternative to agro- tourism. The householder will arrange his house in such a way as to accommodate tourists and provide various facilities. When the tourists come back from the farmer’s house, they can buy rice, various organic vegetables, and domesticated chickens. Let’s say, if 2 crore farmers of Bangladesh earn at least 2000 taka per person per week through agro-tourism, then the income in a week will be 4000 crore taka and the monthly income will be 16 thousand crore taka. This amount stands at 1 lakh 92 thousand crores per year. It will be considered as farmers’ income. Moreover, if the transportation and other incomes are taken into account, that income will be double.

Rural infrastructural development including improved communication and transport system is needed to generate income from this sector. The farmers’ engagement, training and mobilizing the masses in agro-tourism can be the first phase of its operation. We believe that agro tourism will be an enviable sector of Bangladesh. We have to work on agro-tourism to alleviate the suffering of the village people and increase rural employment. In the current socio-economic context, people are gradually turning away from agriculture. One of the major reasons for this is the low return on investment. Agro-tourism can play an important role in alleviating agricultural alienation. Greater participation of people in agriculture will reduce import dependence on agricultural products. Agro-tourism is also interconnected with many other sectors of the economy. If 68 thousand villages are tourism friendly, Bangladesh will be one of the most developed countries in the world from social, geopolitical, economic and environmental perspectives. Immense potential of agriculture and tourism sector can play a positive role in the self-reliance of the country. We have concentrated on the productivity of the agricultural sector nationally. If we combine agro-tourism with other productive sectors, our national income figure will be huge.

Agro-tourism requires coordination and efficient management by the government rather than huge investment. Various ministries of the government need to work together for the development of agro-tourism. Coordination with many other ministries including tourism, agriculture, industry, fisheries, land, finance, commerce, communication, home, information, science and technology will help ensure the commercial success of agro-tourism.

Having fresh fish, rice and vegetables for lunch, swimming in ponds, boating, climbing trees to eat mangoes, blackberry, guavas, picking flowers in the morning, cooking in clay ovens, etc. seem to be things of a distant past for the urban people. Everyone wants to return to those lost childhood memories. Tourists would want to return again and again if they had the opportunity to reminisce. Agro-tourism is a type of social enterprise. Here there is a direct connection between the buyer and the producer. As a result, the farmer does not have to bear other expenses including the transportation costs of the product. The most important thing is that the buyer is also happy to buy the authentic product at a low price. As a result, a culture of buying unadulterated products can be created in the society.

Many people have started agro-tourism initiatives all over the country. Floating vegetable gardens, flower nurseries, rural kitchens, organic restaurants, farm houses, rooftop farming etc. are involved in agro-tourism. Personal initiative is more important than investment in these businesses. A huge employment opportunity will be created for the youth of the country as a result of the expansion of agro-tourism. Agro-tourism will play a helpful role in improving the economy of the country.

Different countries of the world have started enjoying the benefits of agro-tourism, but in Bangladesh, despite its huge potential, we are not able to start the overall initiative of agro-tourism. A new trend will be revealed in the development and growth of the tourism industry if the government looks at agro-tourism.

According to experts the benefits of agro-tourism are manifold. It would bring many direct and indirect benefits to the farmers in particular and the rural people in general. Agro tourism can provide an additional income source to the farmers and generate employment opportunities for their family members and the rural youth. And this additional income source protects farmers against income fluctuations and enhances their socio-economic dignity as well as standard of living. If agro-tourism develops in a big way it will help reduce burden on other traditional tourist centres.

The writer is Media Coordinator, Bangladesh Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (BAAPA). He can be contacted at mahfuz189@hotmail.com