Odisha Charts a New Chapter in Rural Tourism with Agro-Tourism Workshop for Agro Entrepreneurs

Bhubaneswar, 22^nd June 2026: In a significant step towards redefining rural livelihood and tourism integration, the Department of Tourism, in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment, Government of Odisha, organised a high-impact Workshop on Agro-Tourism today. The workshop brought together enthusiastic Agro-landowners, progressive farmers, policy makers, and domain experts to explore the immense potential of Agro-Tourism as a catalyst for rural economic transformation.

The event was co-chaired by Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Tourism, Smt. Pravati Parida and Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, whose presence highlighted the government’s integrated approach to rural development. Their addresses highlighted 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.

A Convergence of Policy, Practice, and Potential

The workshop highlighted the State’s focused efforts under the Vision 2036 framework, wherein 15 priority destinations have been identified for integrated development. In addition, the Department of Tourism is actively promoting the establishment of Agro-Tourism Units, which aim 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 enterprise.

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 centred 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.

Empowering Farmers as Experience Providers

Odisha is shaping a sustainable, community-driven agro-tourism model that places rural communities at the 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 aimed 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 the tourism portfolio of Odisha and ensure 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—Shri Pandurang Taware and Shri Jayram HR. Shri 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. Shri Jayram HR brought in 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 shared ideas and committed to pilot projects across select districts.