Rural development through agricultural tourism: a study based on Kerala

Agricultural tourism is becoming more popular today. Kerala is a state in which large numbers of agricultural crops are cultivated. So it can move forward in the field of agricultural tourism. Agricultural tourism is an innovative idea for nurturing the farmer's efficiency as well as economic status. Many studies have focused on agricultural tourism development. But very few studies are in the context of Kerala and relationship between agricultural tourism and rural development. This paper intends to consider the possibilities of agricultural tourism as a factor of rural development in Kerala as well as role of banks to increase agricultural tourism business in Kerala. The paper is based on descriptive research approach using primary and secondary data. Structured questionnaires are used to collect information from farmers and officials of the banks. Judgment sampling method is used to choose the respondents. The major findings of the study are agricultural tourism is an essential factor of rural development in Kerala and banks can promote agricultural tourism business in Kerala by providing financial and technical assistance.