Agrotourism can be defined as a form of commercial enterprise that links agricultural production or processing with tourism in order to attract visitors onto a farm, ranch, or other agricultural business for the purposes of entertaining and educating the visitors and generating income for the farm, ranch, or business owners. Agro-ecotourism, a combination of agro-tourism and ecotourism, plays a critical role in Nepal by using diversified resources, both natural and man-made, landscapes, biodiversity and cultural heritages. Agro-tourism can be used to motivate and encourage farming communities to raise their crops in an eco-friendly manner and to conserve the biodiversity of farm thereby converting the farm based to nature based i.e agrotourism to agro ecotourism.  Nepal has plenty of natural resources, which has helped to make agro-tourism more popular and fascinating among tourists. Agro tourism allows visitors to come in close contact with the inhabitants of small, rural villages and to be involved in traditional ways of agriculture still existing in this age. In agrotourism, tourists can find the answers to their questions about different indigenous agricultural practices, such as how crops are harvested, graded, preserved and value added, how vegetables can be grown organically, how freshly picked fruits are converted into delicious products, and so on. Nepal is also known as an agricultural country in the world. The statistics shows that more than 64% of Nepalese people are involved in farming. However, the farmers haven’t been able to reap expected benefits due to lack of modern technology and ideas. Farming systems and crop production in Nepal vary across the agro-ecological regions of plain, hills and mountains. Rice-based cropping systems, with wheat or maize as a secondary crop, are predominant in the plain and hill regions, whereas in the high hill mountains maize, millet, barley, amaranthus and buckwheat are cultivated. Agro tourism allows close connection with the inhabitants of small rural villages who have been involved in traditional way of agriculture. Nepalese economy consists of agricultural business, eco-tourism, industry, hydro-electricity and information technology (IT) services with semi- skilled human resources working abroad. Among these sectors, agriculture and eco-tourism contribute 33% and 8% to the national Gross Domestic Products (GDP) according to recent statistics.

Agrotourism is not a new concept for the World, neither for Nepal. But Agrotourism hasn’t got good popularity here in Nepal. Gandaki / Province no 4 is capital of tourism of Nepal. Large amount of foreigners visit Nepal every year for the sake of adventure tourism, and Pokhara Valley till date serves as a only best place for trekking and watching beautiful scenarios focusing Pokhara Valley. We can integrate agriculture aspect in such tourism spots and reap many benefits. There are more than 300 homestay communities in Gandaki Province.  They serve Organic food, local cuisines, homemade dishes and help in attracting more and more tourists. Similarly, first homestay of Nepal Sirubari Homestay also lies in another district Syangja  of Gandaki Province . Ghalegaun homestay, Kaulepani Homestay, Thini Homestay,Lwang Homestay and Ghalel Homestay are major tourist destinations for foreign and domestic tourists  .  Similarly, Culinary tourism can be strongly promoted in this province. We have many ethnic groups like Gurung, Magar,Newar ,Thakali who can promote Culinary Tourism . Culinary Tourism is getting big popularity in various countries and we have diverse food types to match satisfy the appetite of foreign tourists. Tourists love to taste ethnic food types and culinary tourism can surely expand their stay by few days. Syangja is famous for Citrus, Honey and Coffee production, Mustang and Manang is famous for Apple, Cheese and Temperate fruit production, Kaski and Lamjung is famous for Rural Tourism , Rice ,Vegetable, Medicinal Herbs  and Cardamom Production, Gorkha for Fruit Production ,Tanahun for Citrus Production and various other agricultural commodities in remaining districts . So, There is enough resources for successful implementation of agrotourism in Gandaki Province. Secretary of Agriculture Ministry Gandaki Province Honorable Mr . Durga Prasad Dawadi has promised that Gandaki Province will invest in agrotourism if they get good programme proposals. Similarly, Gandaki Province is also launching Climate Smart Agriculture Programme from Fiscal Year 2067/68 to facilitate both agriculture and tourism in Nepal. Various foreign experts will visit Nepal to share their knowledge experiences in Nepal regarding climate smart technology which ultimately will lead to promotion of agro tourism in Nepal. Gandaki Provincial Government. Recently, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS ) is providing more than 10,000 cows to Gandaki Province to boost dairy and agriculture sector

Not only Homestay, the concept of farmstay is also getting immense popularity with the span of time. Farmstay can be described as integration of agritourism , ecotourism and geotourism  .Coffee Picking or Harvesting ,Peeling Fruits and Vegetables ,Fermenting Various Agricultural goods ,zoo-petting animals , collecting eggs , miking cows and buffaloes ,harvesting vegetables ,feeding local chickens are some common activities that can be carried out in Farmstay . Farmstay is very much popular in Mediterrian and Euresian Countries. Italy is the global leader in farmstay and is gaining much popularity and engagements nowadays. Many Engineers, Accountants and Mechanics quitted their job to work in farms in rural areas of Italy. We can also disseminate the same concept and increase tourism and employment in our country. We have many livestock and aviary farms which can be redesigned to start farmstay concept. Kalij Farm, Local Chicken Farm, Chyangra Farm.Swine Farm, Rabbit Farm are some basic farms which could be modified for farmstay . Our Gandaki Province Government is also promoting agrotourism in recent years. Province Agriculture Ministry is even giving grant of 15 lakhs for homestays promoting agro ecotourism.  Ministry of Co-operative, land reforms and Agriculture Lekha Bahadur Thapa stated that Gandaki Province will be hub of Agrotourism in few years. Recently, Gandaki Province Government is set to distribute Rs .400 million in grants to develop exemplary models of agriculture farms and animal husbandry in first phase and add tourism aspect in such farms to provide employment opportunities to youths. Moreover Gandaki Province has brought Rs 260 billion budget with main focus on agriculture and tourism sector.  If this sum can be well utilized then it doesn’t take much time for this province to have booming agro ecotourism sector with huge scope for youth employment Potential scopes of agroecotourism industry ranges from pleothera of travel and tour agencies to government commitment in this province. There are many travel and tourism agencies being operated in Pokhara City. Various packages for homestay,farmstay ,rural tourism ,village trekking can be provided to both domestic and foreign tourists with the collaboration of private sector . Similarly,Various foreign students come to volunteer and learn in agricultural farms of Nepal . Peace Corps USA, BlinkNow, Volunteer Initiative Nepal, Good Karma Foundation Nepal ,Nepal Permaculture Society ,Sustainable Agriculture Development Program ,Lonely Planet ,ICIMOD are some organizations involving foreign nationals to volunteer in Nepalese farms . Such Organizations can be encouraged to operate volunteering facility mainly in farms of Gandaki Province and increase tourism activities in Gandaki Province. On the other hand Ganadki Provincial Government is currently running’ Visit Gandaki 2019 ‘campaign to attract tourist flow in Pokhara and nearby areas but Visit Nepal 2020 is also about to resume in our country within six months. So, we must mobilize our resources and manpower to achieve the big dream of economic prosperity through this campaign. There are large number of governmental and non –governmental organizations and bodies operating in Nepal which promotes tourism sector in current scenario.  ViToF  -  Nepal ( Vilage Tourism Promotion Forum-  Nepal ) ,HOSAN ( Homestay Association of Nepal ) are two major bodies working actively to promote agrotourism in Nepal . Nepal Tourism Board – the governing body of Tourism and Civil Aviation Ministry is also leaving no stone unturned for success of Visit Gandaki 2019 and Visit Nepal 2020 CampaignThis agreement will also ultimately boost agrotourism sector in Nepal. Gandaki Province has touched border with both India and China. Hence,It can import and export not only  agricultural products but also increase tourist flow in the country . India and China are the countries with maximum tourist flow in Nepal. Nepal Government and Gandaki Provincial Government are planning to organize various Asian and International Agriculture Conference in Pokhara in 2020. There are around 6000 agriculture students and 2000 agriculture professionals, 4500 tourism professionals in Gandaki Province currently. They will definitely promote agrotourism in this province and can be mobilized for success of Visit Gandaki 2019 and Visit Nepal 2020.  Rural and Agro Tourism was pioneered in Nepal by Late Amrit Bhadgaule and Jhalak Thapa . They both worked being based in Gandaki Province and developed various resources and new manpower for promotion of agrotourism in Nepal. Similarly, Nepal Tourism Board (NTB ) has its provincial office in Gandaki province only . NTB –Pokhara looks after tourism sector in Gandaki province and NTB Central looks after tourism in other six states. Establishment of NTB also signifies the importance Government has given to promote tourism in Gandaki Province.

Hemja Potato Festival, Mud Race during National Rice Day, Rice Plantation, Harvesting citrus, Provincial Level Floral Expo, New Year Lakeside Street Food Fest, Organic Picnic, Fishing in Damside ,Begnas Lake and Kaligandaki River are major attractions for agro-tourists . Gandaki Rainbow Trout Farm, Machhapuchre Rainbow Trout Farm, Kshetradeep Rainbow Trout Farm are also equally important tourism destinations. Lumle Regional Agriculture Research Station, Bandipur Goat Research Centre, Tea Garden of Dhampus acts as icing in the cake for Pokhara Tourism. Agrotourism is also facilitated by the availability of numerous Organic Farms in various regions of this province. Gandaki is very much rich in vegetation and fertile soil and hence is heaven for any tourist seeking to enjoy agriculture and tourism. Various Rural Municipalities, Municipalities, Political Leaders, Civil Societies, Entreprenuers , Businessman , Civil Servants ,Students and Youths all are actively working to promote tourism in Gandaki Province . The energy and enthusiasm of various INGOs, NGOs, governmental bodies, governmental organizations is big and the prospect of agrotourism and agroecotourism in Nepal seems to be very bright.  Hence, there is immense possibilities for agro ecotourism in Gandaki Province.

Name – Sagar Koirala                   

Address – Itahari -2, Sunsari

College – College of Natural Resource Management (AFU),Puranchaur

Level –Undergraduate in Agriculture ( Sixth Semester )