Study on development and promotion of agri-tourism in Shaktikhor VDC of Chitwan, Nepal.

Maharjan, S. K., D. R. Dangol, R. J. Pamdey and K. K. Pant. 2007. IAAS Research Advances Vol. 2. Institute of Agriculture and Animal Sciences, Rampur, Chitwan, Nepal. pp. 225-229.

Keywords: Agro-biodiversity, landscape, use pattern, agri-farm, cropping pattern, agri-tourist

A survey was carried out in Shaktikhor VDC of Chitwan district during February- March 2006 to know the present status and future prospects of agri-tourism promotion. For study, three sets of questionnaires for farmers, hotels and restaurants and tourism related institutions were prepared and face to face interview was conducted with a  total sample of 91 farmers, 25 hotels, restaurants and guesthouses and 18 tourism related institutions (TRIs) in the district. Among total surveyed households, 54.9% were ethnic people following 37.4% non-ethnic, and 7.7% others (including 5.5% lower caste and 2.2% were Sanyasi). Average Household size of the surveyed area was 5.76 members/hh with 6.2 for ethnic, 5.5 for non-ethnic and 5.6 for other. For better promotion of agri-tourism, identification and promotion of agri-tourism attractions and activities seemed the most essential. This paper describes such attractions and activities found in the Shaktikhor VDC required for agri-tourism promotion, and  discusses about the development and promotion of agri-tourism in this VDC.