Lok Sabha Question No. 2324 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-15
Subject: Promotion of Agri-tourism
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Smt. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2324

## ANSWERED ON 15.12.2025

## PROMOTION OF AGRI-TOURISM

## 2324. SMT. PRIYANKA GANDHI VADRA:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to formulate an Agri-tourism policy to promote farm stays in the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  the  Government  has  conducted  a  study  to  assess  the potential of rural tourism, especially Agri-tourism in the country, if so, the details thereof;
- the details of rural tourism projects executed since 2021 along
- (c) with partner organisations, State/UT-wise; and
- (d) whether the Government is taking initiatives to support women and  tribal  entrepreneurs  in  the  tourism  sector,  particularly  in Wayanad Lok Sabha Constituency and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM          (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a) to (d): Development and promotion of tourist destinations and products, including  agri-tourism  and  farm  stays  is  undertaken  by  the  respective State  Government/Union  Territory  (UT)  Administration.  There  is  no proposal in the Ministry of Tourism at present to formulate an Agri-tourism policy. However, the Ministry of Tourism has formulated National Strategies  and  Roadmaps  for  Development  of  Rural  Tourism  and  Rural Homestays,  which  have  been  circulated  to  the States  and  Union Territories.

The Ministry of Tourism promotes India in a holistic manner, through various  initiatives.  As  part  of  on-going  activities;  promotion  of  Rural

Tourism is also taken up.

The  Ministry  of  Tourism  through  its  central  sector  schemes  of ' Swadesh  Darshan, ' Pilgrimage  Rejuvenation  and  Spiritual,  Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) and ' Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development ' extends financial assistance to the State Governments/UT Administrations for tourism infrastructure development  in  the  country. The  central  financial  assistance  is  being extended  according  to  guidelines  and  based  on  proposals  /  detailed project reports received from the States and UT Governments. The details of projects sanctioned under Rural and Tribal Circuits of Swadesh Darshan Scheme are given at Annexure. As per guidelines issued by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, the Ministry of Tourism has earmarked 4.3% of the total scheme outlay i.e. ₹103 crores under  the  Tribal  Sub  Plan  (TSP)  component  of  the  Swadesh  Darshan Scheme, which includes ₹88 crores under the Tribal Area Sub Plan and ₹15 crores under the Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan (PM -JUGA). This dedicated head of expenditure ensures focused investment in Scheduled  Tribes-dominated  regions,  facilitating  cultural  preservation economic upliftment, and inclusive tourism growth. In addition to infrastructure development, the Ministry has undertaken  targeted  interventions  for  livelihood  enhancement  in  tribal areas, such as the 'Development of Homestays in Tribal Areas' under PMJUGA. This initiative aims to support the creation of 1,000 homestays in tribal  areas,  with  financial  assistance  of  up  to  ₹5  lakh  for  village community requirements,  ₹5  lakh  for  constructing  two  new  rooms  per household,  and  ₹3  lakh  for  renovating  existing  rooms,  along  with provisions for technical training and upskilling of homestay owners. These measures  are  intended  to  promote  sustainable  tourism  and  address systemic challenges in tourism-linked livelihood generation. As of date, no funds have been released under the PM-JUGA Homestay initiative. The  Government of  Kerala  has  informed  that  it  is  actively  taking initiatives to support women  through its Women-Friendly Tourism Initiative, implemented by the Kerala Responsible Tourism Mission (KRTM) Society. Launched in October 2022, the program aims to make Kerala a safe  and  women-friendly  tourism  destination  while  promoting  women's entrepreneurship  and  employment  in  the  sector.  So  far,  over  17,000 women have registered, with training provided for tour leaders, operators, drivers,  homestay  managers,  and  souvenir  units.  Various  trainings  and village life experience packages have been provided in the tribal areas of the Wayanad region.

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ANNEXURE

STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2324 ANSWERED ON 15.12.2025 REGARDING PROMOTION OF AGRI-TOURISM RAISED BY SMT. PRIYANKA GANDHI VADRA

The  list  of  the  projects  sanctioned  under  Rural  and  Tribal  Circuits  of Swadesh Darshan scheme is as under:-

Rural Circuit

(Rs. in Crore)

|   S. No. | State/UT   | Circuit / Sanction Year   | Name of the Project                                   |   Amount Sanctioned |
|----------|------------|---------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------|---------------------|
|        1 | Bihar      | Rural Circuit 2017-18     | Development of Bhitiharwa- Chandrahia- Turkaulia      |               44.27 |
|        2 | Kerala     | Rural Circuit 2018-19     | Development of Malanad Malabar Cruise Tourism Project |               57.35 |

Tribal Circuit

(Rs. in Crore)

|   S. No. | State/UT     | Circuit / Sanction Year   | Name of the Project                                                                                                                                            |   Amount Sanctioned |
|----------|--------------|---------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------|
|        1 | Chhattisgarh | Tribal Circuit 2015-16    | Development of Jashpur- Kunkuri- Mainpat- Kamleshpur - Maheshpur -Kurdar - Sarodhadadar- Gangrel- Kondagaon- Nathiyanawagaon- Jagdalpur- Chitrakoot- Tirthgarh |               96.1  |
|        2 | Nagaland     | Tribal Circuit 2015-16    | Development of Tribal Circuit Peren- Kohima- Wokha                                                                                                             |               97.36 |
|        3 | Nagaland     | Tribal Circuit 2016-17    | Development of Mokokchung- Tuensang-Mon                                                                                                                        |               98.14 |
|        4 | Telangana    | Tribal Circuit 2016-17    | Development of Mulugu- Laknavaram- Medavaram- Tadvai- Damaravi- Mallur- Bogatha Waterfalls                                                                     |               79.87 |

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