Assessing The Agritourism Potential For Rural Tourism Essay

Assessing The Agri touristry Potential For inelegant Tourism EssayDevelopment is lively and essential to the sustenance and maturation of any nation. The main goal of to each unrivalled and e truly country is to reach instruction of the country. The term ontogeny encompasses the need and the means by which to provide leaserer lives for stack in a country. It embarrasss not scarce economic victimization, although that is crucial, but as intimately as human ripening providing intumesceness, nutrition, education, and aenvironment. However, in executing suppuration is a complex issue and the underlying perspective of it is equates maturation with economic. check to the United Nations Development Programme (2009) buildment is to facilitate a valuable long and healthy lives, to be k maneuverledgeable, to absorb opportunities to use the visions needed for a good level of live and to be able to take p fine art in the participation life.Gboyega (2003) captures ontogeny as an idea that embodies either attempts to break the cracks of human existence in all ramifications. implies improvement in material well world of all citizens, not the most powerful and rich alone, in a sustainable office much(prenominal) that todays consumption does not imperil the future, it also makes that poverty and distinction of get to to the good things of life be removed or drastically reduced. It befoolks to improve personal physical security and livelihoods and expansion of life chances. Thus, using aims at improving important aspects of cock-a-hoop numbers lives such(prenominal) as livelihood, security, environ noetic, physical and mental well being. Enhance in cognition, m other(a) and re root systems is servicinged people to build a better life.The goal of tuition is to expand the capabilities of people to live the li ves they choose to lead (Amartya Sen 1999). It is most defined with their active participation. Development is variant from suppuration. It has broader and deeper subject matters. Economic growth is necessary but not sufficient match for phylogenesis and hence it plunder be mentationed as a multi-dimensional phenomenon. The major(ip) dimensions of it include the levelof economic growth, patterns of education, quality of housing, level of health, distribution of goods and services, and access to communication (World fixIngredients for reading and economic growth atomic number 18 enceinte formation, human resources, natural resources, and technology/entrepreneurship. Capital formation is essential to clothe in domains with high economic output, saving capital, investing in ground cogitation creates jobs like a shot indirectly by curl uping investors. Human resources be a pick out to victimisation in any country. There is need to develop a mechanism to address lack of health facilities, lack of education, poverty, malnutrition, and di sease. Human resource development is important if peop le are to make use of ICT for development. firecel resources are crucial in development. Development activities need to be tackle more of their natural resources. It is imperative that they should improve kitchen-gardening techniques and develop better land ownership methods. Technology and entrepreneurship are important growing countries to improve the know-how and know-what. Openness to ideas is important if any saving is to develop. The formation of divisional and external blocks encourages technology and entrepreneurshipDevelopment should be a sustainable long-term condition for humanitys multidimensional upbeat. It has been cl headly explained in the Rio Declaration, of United Nations Conference in 1992, held in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil as Humanat the center for sustainable development. They are authorise to productionive life in harmony with nature called equitable and balanced, meaning that, in order for development t, it should balance the interests of people, sel fsame(prenominal) generation and among generations, in three major interrelated domain of a functions social, and environmental and economic. Sustainable development equity, opportunities for well-being about objectives.Not all the countries in the world direct same level of development. While developed countries maintain reached higher level of development or scoreard living due to better standards in their societies, evolution countries crap faced several issues and challenges along their way to fightds development true countries are countries whose lives are patterned industry and entertain some limited characteristics alike higher level of average per capita income, level of education, life expectation of the nation and al so commencement level of population growth rate and death rate. Life style is found on the market military post economy and economic activities are mostly related with industry firmament as well as export oriented. Furthermore, majority of the population lives in cities and at that place i s relatively higher level of health of the population. Countries that bugger off Human Development Index (HDI) of or over are in the category of developed countries. According to th e IMF major power of HDI released in 2011, there are 47 countries in the and classified as possessing a Very high human developmentOn the former(a) hand several common negative characteristics screwing be seen among ontogenesis countries as well. These are preventing the development of those countries. Low living are manifested qualitatively in form of low incomes , inadequate housing, poor l education, low life and work expectancy, many cases, a general malaise and despondency are some of them. Moreover, low levels of productivity in many theatre of operationss like labour productivity, agriculture or prove productivity. In addition, low level industrial development, high unemployment, atrophied domestic market, small tally of disposable income a nd uneven regional development, lines in institutional changes , credit and fixing, honest s and the restructuring of educational. Most of the develop countries population growth by high carry rate but declining rate boorish development in developing countriesRural development is an integral part of the subject area development of a country. Rural development actions mostly to the social and economic development of areas (Chigbu, 2012). peculiarly in developing countries, very high emphasis has unpolished development, aiming to do equitable and balance development finishedout the country. Rural Development touch with economic growth and social justice, improvement in the living standard of the outlandish people by providing adequate and quality minimum essential. The defer uncouth development poverty alleviation, livelihood opportunities, provision of infrastructure facilities programs of wage and self-employmentRural development process of improving life and economic offbeat in relatively populated areas (Malcolm, 2003). Although uncouth development has on the ontogenesis natura lresources such as agriculture and forestry, due to changes in production ne iirks urbanisation have changed the areas. Increasingly, and recreation resource extraction and agriculture drivers (Neil and David, 2009). The need for approach a tolerantr perspective has created on a turn tail of development goals creating motivator for agricul tural or barteres. Education, physical infrastructure, infrastructure all play role developing regions (Conn, 1996). Rural development emphasis on topical anaestheticly produced economic development strategies (MalcolmFurthermore, country-bred development is the ways to improve the participation of the folksy people as to meet the required need of the pastoral area. As people themselves in their agricultural development. When development is concerned, in one turn on of view it can be explained as the development consists of a wide material body of impudently activities such as production of high quality and region limited products, nature conservation and landscape way , agritourism and the development of summate chains (Knickel Renting, 2000). These new activities in unsophisticated areas mean new income sources to local anesthetic people. Therefore itdoing diversification and utilizing multi-functionality of agri culture and formation of agritourism can be utilize as a strategy to set up boorish development Rural Development and national development in developing countriesIn developing countries, the unsophisticated development is one of the most important factors for the growth of the national economy. Desai (2009) recorded Rural Development is an important segment of national development. ontogeny countries are primarily agriculture-based countries and majority of the population are in rude areas. agriculture contributes for a significant share of the gross domestic product (GDP ) of those countries Agriculture, mining, forestry, handicrafts, fisheries, poultry, diary and rural tourism are the primary contributors to the rural business economy of developing countriesHowever, in many developing countries sufficient amount of investment in rural welkin doesnt take place (United nation, 2011). The rural orbit not able to contribute its full possible for the national development. For example, in the Asia-Pacific region political relations implement strategies, including fiscal policies, which are the rural sector in general. Policies affecting the livelihoods development of producers and producers areas (United nation, 2011). As a consequence of the dyed polic ies allocations government most concerned unable promote agriculture and rural development provision of timely and production services areas making lesser portion for the national development (FAO, 2003).Not only in Asia-Pacific has this problem existed in other regions of the world as well. The cou ntries of the Caribbean need to invest in rural communities econo mic contribution development is officially believed, according demesne Bank report recently. The report evaluates the rural sector on poverty reduction, environmental degrada tion both in the rest of the economy, as the public policies that ts contribution to development (Viveros and Morrison 2005). A hear of Onyemelukwe (1981) on the surveyment of the performances of the rural the typical African country Nigeria in national development contexts has found out the searing role of the sector and the system effects of inadequate equipment of the sector for such role. The Nigerian situation is used to illustrate the prospects and the problems of the rural sector in most African countriesRural sector in Sri Lanka is in the main consisted of farming community. The agriculture sector is the cornerstone in Sri Lankas economy with more than of the population living in rural areas depending on agriculture for their livelih oods. Currently this sector contributes to about 18% of the Domestic Product (GDP) and 30% of the employment (Central bank of Sri Lanka, 2011). Therefore, without taking into con cheekration agricultural development, we cant even imagine rural development in this country What is AgritourismIn general, agriourism is the practice of attracting travelers or visitors to an area or areas used primarily for agricultural purposes. In particular, it refers to farm enterprises and community events that showcase the activities and produce of rural families and the agricultural inheritance of farming regions to travelers. Agritourism provides rural experiences to travelers with the goal of generating revenues for farmers and surrounding communities. These experiences typically include a wide spue of attractions and activities that take place in agricultural areas Important ingredients of agritourisms rural experiences include open spaces, low levels of urban or industrial development, and o pportunities for visitors to directly experience agricultural, pastoral, and natural environments.Moreover, agritourism is a type of rural tourism. It is a combination of two complex industries agriculture and tourism, to open up alternative income sources for the farmers as well as surrounding community (Wicks and Merrett, 2003). Brscic (2006) has explained agritourism as a of tourism which takes place at bottom the family farm that symbolizes a specific form of business, giving a number of usefulnesss to the families mired, with multiple impacts on the socio-economic relations and the space in rural areas. It is a form of farm diversification aiming some benefits from exiting farm resources. Agritourism can be also explained that gives as an activity, enterprise , which help or business that combines most important characteristics of agriculture, industry investment and tourism that helps and provides an experience that stimulates economic activity and community income.Relation ship between agritourism and rural development some(prenominal) look for findings in many developed countries have shown that agritourism as a possible rural development strategy. For example, Haghiri Okech (2011) observed role of the agritourism in developing the economy of rural areas in the province of Newfoundland. According to Topcu (2009), agritourism is a new element for rural development in Turkey. Agritourism as an effective vehicle for development in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan (Dernoi, 2002 Weaver and Fennell, 1998). Study of Hightower (2011) is being used as a catalyst for additional income and triggering economic growth in rural areas. Disez, (1999) revealed re personates and innovative activity taking place within the framework of rural development in Massif Central region in France, agritourism is the best way for the preservation of traditions and customs in the rural areas, write outing a sustainable rural development. In some countries like Italy, Sp ain, Greece, Austria, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Ireland and Norway it is a growing sector with the policies of the governments aiming to benefit from it as a regional development instrument (Demirta? Topcu, 2007 Frater, 1983). Rural tourism benefits to local areas by bringing visitors to the region, change magnitude a contendeness for agricultural products and showcasing produce to the localregional community. It can also provide incentives for local heritage and conservation groups to preserve unique heritage landscapes and built heritage. Most studies have highlighted the multiple benefits that agritourism brings to the farm, local communities, agriculture heritage and natural resources (Fleischer and Pizam, 1997 Busby and Rendle, 2000 Ventura and Milone, 2000 Sharpley, 2002 Wicks Przezb? rska, 2005 Fleischer and Tchetchik, 2005 Mitchell and De Agritourism Research conducted in developing countriesA small number of explorees have been conducted in some developing countr ies in Asia. Malaysia, Taiwan, In through with(p)sia, Philippines, Thailand, and India are examples of such countries. When South Asiatic countries are concerned, the number of search is very few. India is the country leading in agritourism in this regionAccording to Tiraieyari and Hamzah (2011) in Malaysia, there are potential benefits of agritourism for farmers and local communities in general. Further indicated that agritourism as an economic development instrument has great potential to contribute to rural development as Malaysia is one of the tourist countries with great potential to develop agritourism. As per the national Council of Agriculture and fisheries (COA) of Taiwan, after registering a huge and wide decline of GDP in 2001, 173 Farms had been soon established for tourism sector and this created the development of rural Taiwan such as chi-ching Shwei-Li in (Murangwa, 2 010) A recent research resume on agritourism in Thailand discovered that agritourism has been uti lize the agricultural holdings produce for such as scenery from paddy field fields and farm lands , food and fibre from products (vegetable, fruit, e from local products, accommodations from farm stay or vacated proper(a)ty to gain local development in area As reported by the South East Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture ( SEARCA), in Manila Philippines, could be a nich? tourism product that would help improve farm incomes provided a well-planned program is put in place. It get out consolidate initiatives in agriculture and tourism sectors nationwide that contribute d to poverty reduction, natural resources management, and rural development in Aguiba.A research in Chitwan District in Nepal found out the importance of agritourism for the rural development in Nepal. Agritourism is the concept of diverting the tourists to those rural areas, where there is range of agricultural activities, services and amenities provided by farmers and rural people a ttract both internal as well as international tourists in order to generate extra income for their business. The living standard of the farmers and rural poor can be raised by identifying high value-low volume crops, which have comparative advantages and by optimally utilizing the unattached resources for sustainable development (Maharjan, 2008). However, the obtainable literature evidence that our neighboring country India engaged in agritourism successfully. According to the research on Agritourism the potential for sustainable development and growth look for the scope for developing agritourism in India has been conducted by Raghunandan et al.,(2010). This research has concluded that potential for Agritourism in India to grow into an important source of income for the rural population if the development is focused on integration and participation. Furthermore, Agritourism has been identified as a source of generation of alternative income for farmers and local employment oppo rtunities, reduction of gender deviate and accelerate growth rate by Chadda and Bhakare (2010) based on their research on Socio-Economic Implications of Agritourism in India Agritourism in Sri LankaEvidence on only one carry related to agritourism and rural development of Sri Lanka was found as a result of the vigorous literature search during the direct. One study i s the research conducted by Senanayaka and Wimalaratna (2010) about agritourism and rural development in Sri Lanka. Special reference to Nuwara Eliya District. They have found that the economic problems as well as development potentials remain in areas side by side in the country. Only a small fraction of the vast rural agritourism resource base is being utilized by the industry now with little or no benefits to rural people. Dedicated research work on agritourism will promote the sector with the participation of policy makers, communities and clandestine investors on a sustainable manner while trickling down a reas onable fraction of the benefits to the rural people. This would diversify their agricultural livelihoods and improve their income and living standardsAs per the literature review, agritourism in most of the countries has a short annals and it is at the developing stage (Maumbe, 2012 Bernardo et al., 2007). Several countries have the research findings primarily based on preliminary research and pilot studies. Therefore, there by all odds a need for future research to verify the preliminary findings of these researches particularly in developing countries. Moreover, several researchers have shown that agritourism ha s gobs of strengths and opportunities for the improvement of rural areas and rural development. However those researches have been conducted in specific condition which is unique to that particular country itself. Therefore, generalization of the findings to other countries is not so valid specially, for developing countries having lots of variations in geographical, p olitical, economical and environmental conditions. Not only the differences among the developing countries, there are several regional level differences within a country. Furthermore, in a country, rural areas are different from each other. Thus, testing the level of contribution of the rural development at provincial level is the best way to identify the corporeal potential of it. Since a very few number of research have been conducted at provincial level in developing countries, there is a need for lots of research of this kind. Even though in Sri Lanka there may be potential in this regard, no sufficient research have been conducted in this field. Therefore, this kind of research is highly important.Problem taleSri Lanka is a developing country and there is a need to enhance the living condition of the people by developing the be economy of the country There is a gradual, but comparatively slow increment in GDP in the country for several years ( inventionFigure 1.1 onward mo tion of the GDP from 2002 to 2012Source Central Bank of Sri LankaSri Lanka tourism has contributed to the growth of total economy for several years. However, due to existing civil war during 2008-2009, tourism being faced a declining trend. Alon g with ending the war in 2009, tourism industry restated to flourish and contribute for the significantly. As a result, by now it is one of the main contributors of the national income of the country and expects to have further growth in future. The total annual direct contribution of pass away and Tourism GDP in 2011 was LKR219.7 (3.4% GDP). This is future based apprehend to rise by 5.6% to. This figure has primarily reflects the economic activity unfeignedly generated through the industries such as hotels, restaurants, parks, travel agents, airl ines and other local and unlike tourist transportation services (excluding commuter services). The average gross direct contribution of travel and tourism is expected to grow by 5.7% per annum to of GDP) by 2022Figure 1.2 Contribution of travel and tourism to GDP fromSource World Travel and Tourism councilMoreover, travel tourism generated 236,500 jobs directly in 2011 (3.0% of total employment) and this is forecast to of total employment). This includes employment by hotels, tour operators travel agents, airlines, sea line and other passenger transportation and helping services (excluding certificatory services). It includes, for example, the prent activities of the restaurant, hotels, villas, and leisure industries directly and highly validateed by tourists. By tourism will account for 293,000 jobs directly, an increase of 2.2% per annum over the next ten years.Figure1.3 Travel and tourisms contribution to employment opportunities from 2011Source World Travel and Tourism councilRural sector performs a significant contribution for the national development in the country. About 70 percent of Sri Lankas population lives its rural areas. In rural areas, main sectors that are helping for rural development are agriculture, forestry, fisheries, mining, art and craft and rural tourism. Among these sectors, the most important one is agriculture. A large number of people in the rural sector engaged mainly agriculture and allied activities.Agriculture sector can generate regionally equitable economic growth, rural livelihood improvement, and food security through efficient production of commodities for consumption for agro-based industries. Since agriculture sector has multi-functionality, it can marry with other sectors like tourism and form new opportunities for local and regional development. Considering the experience of other developing countries in Asia, it can be false that there will be a potential for agritourism for the rural development in Sri Lanka. Therefore, this study will answer the question does agritourism represent a significant and viable rural development tool in Sri Lanka.Objectives of the studyThe broad objective of this research is to explore the potential of agritourism for rural development in Sri Lanka with special reference to demand, supply and impacts of agritourism issues.Specific objectives of this research areTo find out the current supply of agritourism in theTo study the government policy interventions in tourism and agritourism sector of the countryTo identify and assess the visitors needs and satisfaction of and demand for agritourism of the countryTo find out the local residents attitude towards impacts of agritourism economic and contribution of agritourism for rural development and alsoTo study the national and provincial level support to the development of agritourism as a sector of rural developmentTo recommend ways and strategies to development of agritourism in Sri Lanka as a sector of rural developmentConceptual materialThe aim of this research is to study the agritourism and its contribution for the rural development in the country. The main agritourism are agritourism providers, visi tors, local residents and the government. Figure1.4 shows the relationship of the stake holder in agritourism and how agritourism links with rural developmentAgritourism providers supply the agritourism. They can be farmers, hole-and-corner(a) sector companies or organizations. Agritourism supply can be conducted by adding tourism activities to the existing farm and arranging facilities for the visitors to come to the farm, see those activities and get knowledge about them, spend leisure time at the farm. In supply agritourism three things are important. Things to see (farm animals, fruits, vegetables, Herbal plants) activities to do (feeding animals, milking cows, harvesting crops, mount trees, picking fruits, threshing paddy)farm products to buy (yogurts, curds, fruits, vegetable, jam jellyVisitors can be local or foreign people those who are puddle to buy the agritourism services. They make demand for agritourism. They come to visit the farm to see things, get a rest, enjoy fa rm activities and sometimes study on farming, Farm stay for few days, visit surrounding colonisations, buy local art and craft items, see cultural shows perform by local people and pay for the farm goods and services they consumed. In this way agritourism provider can earn extra income and other returns from agritourism which is the main aim of providing agritourism. Improvement of the level of income and living standard of the agritourism providers (especially farmers) is the main aspects of agritourism business. Other important point regarding agritourism is the presence of other tourism attractions in the area. Other tourism attractions can act as a motivational factor for visiting agritourism operation. Moreover, proper government interference through correct rules and regulations are essential to figure out the agritourism industry smoothlyAlso, on the way, visitors can buy local products of nigh local residents, can visit other interesting places in the village like religio us places cultural sites, national parks, forests, waterfalls, traditional festivals, folk games. In this way, visitors can interact with local residents of the area. These interactions create economic, social-cultural and environmental that impacts for the rural development of the area. Furthermore local residents can sell their products and labour to agritourism operation and ear n some money. Enhancement of the level of income and livingstandard of local residents are the other aim of agritourism along the way to rural development.The other important factor is the government attitude towards agritourism and intervention to rural areas where agritourism operations are available. Especially provincial and local level governments have tariff to enhance the condition of the area up to a good stand making it suitable for conducting tourism activities. So that, provision of infrastructure facilities such as road system, transport facilities, water, electricity telecommunication to the area have to be taken place. Not only that, banking facilities, safety and security, medical facilities for the areaalso needed to be provided. In this way, provisions of infrastructure facilities directly help for the rural develop of the areaFigure 1.4 Conceptual modelling of theScope and Limitations of the StudyThis study has covered important aspects such as the supply of agritourism (number of destinations, scale of operation, available facilities, number of visitors, length of stay etc). subscribe to for agritourism (demographic information of visitors, nature of their demand, visitors satisfaction towards agritourism, demand function) information of local residents (impacts of agritourism on them, their attitudes towards agritourism development) andpolicies related to agritourism development in the country. Agritourism is a business process. However, aspects like establishment, management development, improvement, marketing and promotion of the operations are beyond the sc ope of this studyThere were few limitations in this research. This is a small-scale research conducted at local level with four types of stakeholder operators, visitor, local residents and government officials within only few districts without the whole country. In terms of operators, analysis like benefit cost ratio, IRR of agritourism etc., could not be done as they did not hope to disclose financial information due to tax problems. With regard to agritourism visitor s, comparatively a low number of visitors were included in the study. The model size resident is also comparatively low. The study was totally based on a cross sectional entropy, not the longitudinal data Organizing the DissertationThis dissertation consists of seven chapters. Chapter one presents the background of the study, problem statement, objectives, conceptual scope and limitations of the study. Chapter two explains about tourism and agritourism. inlet to tourism, definitions, industry, initiation of and de velopment of agritourism have been discussed. Chapter three is focused on rural development Introduction to rural development, definitions of rural development, relationship between rural development and agritourism, agritourism, activities involved in agritourism, history of agritourism have been explained in detail. Chapter four explains the methodology. Different research philosophies, approached, designs have been explained at the commencement ceremony. After that justification of research approaches and designs related to this study have been presented. Then, introduction to research study area and the research designs have been explained in detail.Chapter five discusses about Sri Lanka tourism and development. Detail introduction to Sri Lanka in general and tourism in the country in particular have been presented. Furthermore, information about tourism policy and needs for agritourism policy in the country have been discussed at the end of the chapter. Chapter six devoted to present the research outcomes. Present situation of supply of agritourism in the country, different suppliers available facilities, agritourism activities, strength, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) of agritourism have been discussed as the first section of this chapter. Then, profile of visitors and their satisfaction level towards available products and services are presented as the second section of this chapter. Thereafter, demand for agritourism, visitors awareness, desire on agritourism and factors affecting the demand have discussed as the third gear section. Furthermore, evaluation of the perception of local residents towards different impacts of agritourism in country has been done as the forth section and finally, government officials attitude towards impact of agritourism for the rural development in the country and national and provincial level support to the development of agritourism as a sector o f rural development have been explained in detail. Chapter seven is the last chapter. At the beginning of the chapter conclusions of the study have been presented and it is followed by the recommendations of the study.