AGRI TOURISM DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

Agri-tourism Development Intiative through C-operative Movement in the State of Maharashtra Agri Tourism was demonstrated on Agriculture Development Trust’s farm. once within 2 years the pilot project became a huge success. In 2007 , ATDC launced Mahrashtra State Agri Tourism Vistar Yojana 2007 where in 52 farmers were selected to start Agri-tourism centers across the entire state of Maharashtra. Similary in 2008 – another 25 farmers were selcted , 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. Thus Maharashtra State Agri & Rural Tourism Co-operative Federation Ltd ( MART) was registered on 12th Dec 2008 , with main objective to coordinate the activity of planning, financing, marketing and liaison with various State and Central Agencies. The governing body of Federation has 12 representatives from agri & rural tourism co-operatives as well as 11 inidivial farmers who runs agri and rural tourism center along with women directors from the individual farmers and 2 government nominated directors . The Agri-tourism co-operative societies get financed from National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD).The loan is utilized in creating infrastructure facilities in the village to support the tourism. Farmers main objective is aimed at utilizing the potential of agriculture farm by attracting tourists. Farmers carry-out normal agriculture practice during the week days and attend tourists in farm during the weekend days.