Come back to nature. With this concept, farm tourism is gaining popularity in Haryana with foreigners and urban dwellers are thronging to the destinations offering a whiff of the countryside.

As per the Haryana Tourism Department, within past few years, the state government in collaboration with the farm owners has come out with more than 20 farm tourist spots offering rural eco-tourism blended with cultural foods, rural adventures and traditional lifestyle.

Apart from non-residential Indians (NRIs) and foreigners, these farm tourism destinations are entertaining a large number of urban citizens especially from National Capital Region (NCR) who often come to these sites to experience local ambience and typical foods.

Mainly these farms registered with Tourism Department are located in Haryana’s districts falling in the NCR,  Among the adventures available at these farms are bullock cart ride, horse ride, camel cart ride, tractor ride, cycling, indoor and outdoor games.

Apart from pottery, folk dance, visitors could also enjoy have a glimpse real culture under village walk and agri activities events.

Talking to The Statesman, Rohtak’s Banni Khera farm founder and CEO Kunwar KV Singh Parmar said, “Farm Tourism is a concept that opens new economic opportunities for locals , conservation of ecology-natural habitat, promoting our culture, heritage and traditions and also offers authentic and interactive rural life experience for visitors.”

One side, Farm tourism is bringing people out of urban areas into the countryside, the other hand locals are getting direct economic benefits by getting themselves engaged with such projects, added Singh who after completing his education preferred to go with this community based rural tourism project.

Haryana Tourism director Mukul Kumar told The Statesman that the concept of farm tourism has  got a overwhelmed response from the visitors  especially those city inhabitants who want to get rid of the boredom of urban life and fresh and healthy life our their countryside.

“Through the fascinating concept of farm holidays, Haryana Tourism also takes this opportunity to invite the NRIs to bring their children back to their roots”, he added.

According to the Department, Haryana has become the first state in the country to launch Farm-Tourism.

Other such farms are Lake Point View and Lush Green in Karnal, Awesome farm and Laksh farm Faridabad, Botanix, Thakran farm, Surjivan farm, Vedic Gram Lifestyle farm, Kotwara farm, Golden Turtile, Ananya Green, The Golf Retreat, The Ariisse farm, all in Gurgaon, Pratapgarh farm, Rattangarh farm in Jhajjar, MG farm in Hisar, The Peepal Kothi farm in district Nuh.