MEASURING AGRI TOURISM AS A VEHICLE FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT OF RURAL RAJASTHAN

Agri tourism is not new among tourism stakeholders. For any agricultural dependent economy agritourism could be a keystone for socio economic wellbeing. Agri tourism involved all the regular activities on the farms in order to provide the natural and authentic cultural aroma to the tourists. They enjoy the heritage food, which is prepared by ancient methods. The concept of Agri tourism applies as a strategy for community development at various rural areas of the globe. It acts like a hybrid process that upholds the community and revitalize the visitors through its natural aroma. The present study tries to quantify that whether the agritourism could be the catalyst for farmers or not. Secondly how the real benefits could reach to the community. This study took a case of Rajasthan agri tourism which is in infant stage. Few villages pull tourists towards the sanctity and authenticity of heritage. The present study is based on few independent factors (climate, methods of farming, accessibility, natural heritage) and dependent factors (cleanliness/ Hygiene, Language, unique services, indigenous traditions) taken for the study in order to measure its viability for the economic development of rural community (EDC) of Rajasthan. Another independent factor is the financial assistance and the division of share in partnering the agritourism business. The study provides a complete literature review of Agri tourism with an analytical assessment of factors accountable as a driver for the economic growth of rural inhabitants. Agritourism is still a concept in many places. Though it applies on few farms successfully but most of farms are created for tourists and direct EDC are not get benefitted. Factors chosen for study were a great help to comprehend the viability of the concept. Rajasthan is a state already recognized by tourists as a cultural destination, yet not touched successfully the agritourism business. Traditional method of farming with heritage food, customs, livelihoods are the biggest variable for EDC. The case analyses defined that the dependent factors are still needed for proper economic development of community & the combination of two would provide the authentic picture and accommodating to uphold the community. This study suggested a model that counters all the challenges faced in developing agritourism. The paper offers lots of entrepreneurial opportunities for rural community that up lift not only their economic level but also could help to raise their social and cultural strata. The research is an eye opening for the investors and authorities that with little effort the social, cultural and economic development of the rural community.