Farm tourism projects fail to take off in Kozhikode

Special projects mooted by the District Panchayat for improvement of various farm tourism destinations in the district are still on the shelf failing to achieve even 20 per cent of the projected target. Even the agriculture farms, directly under the control of the local body, are yet to show any sign of attracting domestic and foreign tourists with a revamp of facilities.

The situation remains the same despite the huge budget allocation each year projecting farm tourism improvement. “Vision- 2020”- a much hyped roadmap prepared nearly 10 years back with long-term strategies for the revamp of agriculture sector and promotion of allied activities- too proved a failure at the implementation phase.

Farms owned by the District Panchayat at Koothali, Perambra, Thikkodi and Puthuppadi are the best examples of the unrealised promises, where the panchayat earmarked around Rs. 3.22 crore for farm tourism purpose alone in 2013-14 fiscal. Agriculture farm at Koothali, which was highlighted as the main farm tourism destination, still fails to draw the attention of any farm enthusiasts. Only the production and marketing of some high yielding varieties of plants and seed run the show at these locations.

“The main charm of these farms is that they are located close to various popular eco-tourism destinations in the district.

A proper utilisation of the allotted fund and publicity programmes can easily boost the potential of these spots,” says N.K. Viswanathan, a farmer from Koothali.

He rues that the individual attempts by farmers in the sector are hardly recognised or encouraged by the authorities.

Meantime, District Panchayat president Kanathil Jameela states that the farm tourism promotion projects cannot be attained at the desired level of perfection without the support and funding of the State government. “We had forwarded a mega proposal to the State government for the development of Koothali farm as a farm tourism hub, but, it is yet to evoke a favourable response from their part,” she explains.

According to Ms. Jameela, around 105 acres of land in Koothali will undergo drastic changes with the approval of the project.