Monday, August 17, 2009

Diversity is key to rural tourism in Punjab, India


Tribune Photo taken by Kulbir Beera

Gurcharan Singh Mann is an exceptional, quality farmer in Tungwali village, Bathinda District, Punjabi region of India. His farm has been selected under the Punjab Rural Tourism Plan, because of its diversified farming and related ventures, reports Chandigarh Tribune of India and the Global Sikh News.

Mann believes that diversification is lucrative and is key to attracting visitors and business partners. Aside from, or instead of, cotton and paddy, he's into fish, honey, orchards (banana, jamun, amla, ber, guava, pomegranate, apples, aloe vera), mixed timber and other crops (including turmeric and red chilly for Agmark), bio-gas, mushrooms. He has converted over 40 acres of former sand dunes into a destination spot.

Punjab Agricultural University awarded Mann the Parvasi Bharti Award in 2005 for diversification. Mann believes one needs to adapt and to adopt.

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