Prospective Role of Agro-Tourism in Transformation of Rural India

High poverty level is one of the major developmental challenges facing India with over 21.9 %percent of the population living below poverty line in 2011-12. Agriculture is the main occupation of Indian Economy. Around 65 percent of the population is directly or indirectly dependent on agriculture. Out of total GDP around 13 percent GDP comes from agriculture sector. The overall development of rural areas requires, among other things, the involvement of the non-agrarian sector. The high incidences of poverty level calls for farmers to find alternative sources of livelihoods to generate additional income.. The multifunctionality of agriculture is evidenced, inter alia, by its conjunction with tourism and environmental protection. In this scenario agro-tourism is gaining increasing importance and can contribute to the development of rural communities. Agro-tourism which is a recent offshoot of tourism sector is a way of sustainable tourist development and multi-activity in rural areas aimed for enhancing higher standards of living for rural communities especially through increased income for people who work in agriculture The authors analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the further development of agritourism, From various literature review on agro-tourism of India, as a strategy for poverty alleviation and livelihood improvement, by focusing on specific conditions and constraints that influence the progress of agritourism business initiatives as viable entrepreneurial solutions for self-sustainable rural communities in India it is concluded that Agri-tourism as a viable venture for farmers in this county. Which help in the transformation of the lives of the farmers in particular and rural economy in general.