Date:27/07/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/07/27/stories/2007072751080200.htm

Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

Revitalising agriculture through tourism Tourism Trail

S. Anil Radhakrishnan

— Photo: S. Gopakumar

Close to nature: A team of foreign tourists watching birds at Punchakari in Vellayani near Thiruvananthapuram.

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Tourism has kicked-off a project to convert farmlands and cropped areas as tourist attractions to transfer the benefits of tourism to farmers.

The scheme, ‘Green Farms Kerala,’ is intended to prepare the farms and plantations as preferred destinations. It aims at revitalising the agriculture sector through tourism and getting it approved under the ‘Kerala Tourism brand.’

The tourists will get a chance to watch closely the rustic ways of life, the crop patterns and the rich culture and heritage.

Under the scheme, accommodation facilities will be classified by a seven-member committee headed by the Director of Tourism.

Ten units will be started initially. Applications will be invited soon for these units. “It will be implemented and managed by Kerala Tourism. Our aim is to have 50 ‘Green Farm’ units in the next two years all over the State,’ Additional Director, Planning and Projects, U. V. Jose, told The Hindu.

Only farms and plantations near tourist centres or along established tourism circuits or major transport corridors will be considered for inclusion in the scheme.

Those having a minimum 10 acre of farm or 50 acre of plantation are eligible.

A couple of farms and plantations in the State are already into the tourism sphere.

What is needed is to develop other facilities. Parking areas, clean walkways, trained guides and facade improvement is necessary.

There should be stalls to showcase farm products, Mr. Jose said.

Kerala Tourism is offering a 25 per cent investment subsidy for the additional works required to convert existing building or to develop new facilities in farms and plantations.

Sustained direct employment to 1000 persons, creation of 500 quality farm-stay rooms and investment of about Rs.10 lakh per unit by local people is expected.

Kerala has 30.22 lakh hectare of cropped area which is 56.78 per cent of the State’s total geographical area. Tea, coffee, rubber, pepper, cardamom and ginger plantations constitute more than one third of the cropped area.