POTENTIAL FOR AGRITOURISM DEVELOPMENT: EVEDANCE FROM SRI LANKA

Abstract

Agritourism is increasingly recognized as an important strategy that can contribute to agricultural development through diversification of farming activities and providing opportunities to rest, relax, enjoy and study about farming for the visitors. At present, agritourism is promoted by most of the countries in the world aiming at sustainable rural development. Since Sri Lanka is an agricultural country, it is the time to analyze the potential of this strategy under local conditions. Thus the main aim of this research is to study the possibility of application of agritourism in Sri Lankan context. The study was conducted in five districts of the central part of the country using a field survey and some group discussions with farmers and respective state officials of these districts. Results revealed that there are several possibilities for the establishment of agritourism in the country. However, there are few problems militate against the success of the agritourism development. Provision of solutions for these main problems related to; infrastructure development, relevant training and education for the farmers, access to farm credit, proper measures to waste management as well as suitable environment protection methods in those areas will enhance the benefits of agritourism as a sustainable rural development strategy.