Pandurang Taware – Father of Agri Tourism Concept , India

What is Agri Tourism all about?

Agri-tourism is defined as travel, which combines, agriculture and rural setting with product of agriculture operation all within a tourism experience. Experience itself is the Agri tourism product, besides Tourists can buy fresh Agri produce and products directly from farmers without any middle man (agents)

Who is the founders/founder?

Pandurang Taware – , Father of Agri Tourism Concept , India ,

1. National Tourism Award Recipient 2010, by the Hands of Vice President of India on 3^rd march 2010.
2. Finalist, Global Tourism for Tomorrow Award 2011, constituted by WTTC LONDON.
3. Winner , Global , Responsible Tourism Award 2011, constituted by Responsible Travel London .

When did your'll start?

16^th May 2005, A humble attempt to implement and start the Pilot Project of Agri Tourism by ATDC was made under leadership of Mr. Pandurang Taware in 2005 in Malegaon near Baramati in Maharashtra, where the Agri Tourism was demonstrated on Agriculture Development Trust’s farm.

How did you come up with this idea?

Urban population is increasing day by day. Today, urban children’s world is restricted in the close doors of a school, home and centre around television, video game, computer, fast food and internet. Living in urban area, they have not enjoyed the beauty of Mother Nature. ATDC P LTD ( Previously Agri Tourism Development Corporation) , did the research in 2004, and found that 43% of urban population did not have any relative left in the village. 97% of urban population wants to experience the rustic beauty of village life. This gives an opportunity to develop tourism centre in the village based on agriculture activities and other side Farmers in village are engaged in farming activity through out the year. Their incomes from farm produce depend on good monsoon, good harvest and good marketing. It is experienced that the income from agriculture farming is only once or twice in the year, but the expenses are on weekly basis, it is very difficult for the farmer to sustain throughout the year, since the income is not sufficient. To make farming sustainable and feasible there was a urgent need of some experiment in addition to the traditional farming, after three years of consistent research and studies, Shri Pandurang Taware concluded that Tourism was one such experiment that will generate weekly income which can compensate weekly expenses of the farm.

What pain point are your'll solving?

Farmers in village are engaged in farming activity through out the year. Their income from farm produce depends on good monsoon, good harvest and good marketing. It is experienced that the income from agriculture farming is only once or twice in the year, but the expenses are on weekly basis , it is very difficult for the farmer to sustain throughout the year, since the income is not sufficient. To make farming sustainable and feasible there was a urgent need of some experiment in additon to the traditional farming, after three years of consistent research and studies, Shri Pandurang Taware concluded that Tourism was one such experiment that will generate weekly income which can compensate weekly expenses of the farm.

What is your unique selling proposition?

.Agri Tourism Development Company , did the research in 2004, and found that 43% of urban population did not have any relative left in the village. 97% of urban population wants to experience the rustic beauty of village life. This gives an opportunity to develop tourism centre in the village based on agriculture activities.

Who are your competitors and how do you’ll maintain a competitive advantage over them?

We really do not have competition

Are you looking for funding?

Yes, we are looking for funding options

If yes then how much for what percent equity stake in the company? ,

Around 3 cr and 20% of equity stake.

Whats your business model like?

Pilot Project of Agri Tourism by ATDC was made under leadership of Mr. Pandurang Taware in 2005 in Malegaon near Baramati in Maharashtra, where the Agri Tourism was demonstrated on Agriculture Development Trust’s farm. once within 2 years the pilot project became a huge success. In 2007 , ATDC launched Maharashtra State Agri Tourism Vistar Yojana 2007 where in 52 farmers were selected to start Agri-tourism centers across the entire state of Maharashtra. Similarly in 2008 – another 25 farmers were selected, thus totally 72 Agri tourism centers are operational currently in the entire state.
In the state where 80 % farmers have marginal land holdings, it was danger that these farmers may left out of the Agri tourism benefits, thus Shri Pandurang Taware suggested the route of cluster Agri tourism development under co-operative basis, thus the farmers started several agri tourism development co-operatives.

Pricing?

Nominal rates per person day, like INR 500 per person per day

Revenue projections for this year and the next 5 years?

Aprrox 2010- 2011- INR 1 cr , next five years , aprrox 10 cr

Future plans for growth of the company?

Setting up, Agri and Rural tourism Training, research and Development Centre at village palshi, tal baramati, dist Pune on 20 acres of land and at the investment of INR 1.5 cr and developing another 50 Agri tourism centers in India.

Is there anything else that you would like to add?

Agri Tourism Advantages

· Diversify and increase income sources.

· Share challenges and satisfaction of your lifestyle with others.

· Develops interpersonal and communication skills.

· Agri-tourism creates employment opportunities for farmer’s family members.

· Supplements the family’s income.

· One of the most rewarding aspects of Agri-tourism for many farmers is the opportunity to provide the public with a better understanding of what agriculture is really about.

· It is also an opportunity to enhance the community’s economic potential.

· Relatively less expensive.