-
Introduction
- Global presence
- The Effect Of Organic Agriculture on Human Health and the Environment
- India’s approach
Introduction
Following the rise of self-care and environmental protection awareness in today’s society, the issue of organic agriculture-tourism has grown into a global issue. Nature-focused industries using organic techniques, such as organic farming villages, organic agricultural products, organic farming, and organic agriculture-tourism activities have grown rapidly, too. The concept of eco-organic farm tourism suggested that this novel concept could strike a balance between sustainable agriculture, local development, health and well-being, learning, and socio-cultural and environmental protection. Organic agriculture tourism is similar to traditional tourism, it advocates the protection of the environment and natural resources, and also includes the development of activities and facilities that are related to environmental sustainability. For instance, educational, touristic, food and beverage services, as well as sales of certain food products, all contain environmental protection-related implications. This shows that organic agriculture-tourism provides landscape resources that may protect the environment; creates tangible and intangible facilities and activities that cover the fields of ecology, education, learning, and experience; and sustains a friendly environment
Global presence
Not only holidaymakers but also people who travel for business, conferences, or other reasons also prefer accommodations that provide organic products. And today not only farms but also five-star hotels are applying organic tourism methods. For example, there are more than 200 organics (bio/eco/green) hotels in Italy and tours to Alps of Switzerland and Germany, which are favorite organic tourism destinations.
These hotels have five-star hotel comforts but the differences from other hotels are; products are 100% organic and staff and belongings are very sensitive to the environment. Some applications of organic hotels use fewer plastic utensils, not plastic shampoo bottles (both offering glass bottles), tissue paper and plastic bags in the room, not wrapped in a piece of paper and rope connecting and bed linen, curtains, etc. that are made from organic yarn. They purify waste. They are careful to use water and energy wastes are avoided. Today’s holidaymakers and businessmen realize the importance of having and using organic life and therefore investments in organic tourism are growing and the demand to the attendance of organic tourism too
Organic agriculture studies were started professionally by IFOAM (International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements) first in Germany in 1972. IFOAM is the first in the world that defines the rules for organic production. The first legal regulations in the European Union (EU) took effect in 1991. According to developments in organic agriculture around the world, as far as demand is concerned, a new genre of tourists (gastronomic tourists) has emerged. For example; the main sources of gastronomic tourists are Europe and North America, with the largest populations coming from the United States, France, Italy, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, and the UK. In Wales, at least 150 organic producers are involved in some form of agri-tourism offering accommodation and meals with local and/or organic produce and frequently providing employment opportunities for local people (Wacher 2007). The US government has implemented several regional and state-wide development projects to increase the effectiveness of rural tourism/farm activities. The Australian and UK governments have also offered a wide range of products and services to promote tourism in rural areas (agric.gov.ab.ca). Some destinations in the tourism world have brand image connected to gastronomic values. Since organic agriculture is a grown sector, organic tourism is developed in Australia, Argentina, USA, Brazil, Spain, Chine, Italy, Germany, Uruguay and France. Some other countries like Greece, Poland, Portugal, Belgium, Austria, Peru, Mexico, Chile, Peru, Indonesia, Bali, New Zealand, Japan, Malaysia, South Africa, Singapore, and India are also important rural tourism destinations in the world.
The Effect Of Organic Agriculture on Human Health and the Environment
Organic farms work in harmony with nature rather than against it. Farmers use techniques to achieve good crop yields without harming the natural environment or the people who live and work in it. These methods are used to preserve natural resources and biodiversity, support animal health and welfare, provide access to the outdoors so that animals can exercise their natural behaviors, receive annual onsite inspections, separate organic food from non-organic food, to keep and build good soil structure and fertility, to control pests, diseases and weeds, careful use of water resources and good animal husbandry.
India’s approach
India, blessed with abundant natural diversity, makes for a great eco-tourist destination in the world. From the dramatic deserts of Rajasthan to the lush green forest of Cherrapunji, from the mighty Himalayas to the majestic deep blue beaches of the South, India throughout the decade has established itself as the top favourite ecotourism destination. There is also a great potential to develop ecotourism in India that ensures socio-economic development of local communities while also conserving its biodiversity
Due to this, ecotourism has gained widespread acceptance in the tourism industry all over the country with mountain tourism being identified as one of the fastest-growing sectors in the recent past.
Some states, like Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Goa have recognised eco-tourism as a high potential opportunity for the economic development of the region and have initiated different ecotourism activities for livelihood creation as well as conservation and protection of the fragile ecosystem.
The foundation of eco-tourism, which is value creation, engages tourists in – nature discovery walks/treks; local farming activities; adventure sports; local cuisines; crafts, folklore and arts; volunteering for community development; mental and spiritual rejuvenation among other things. All of these can potentially enhance duration of stay and tourism spend, while lowering environmental footprint.