Agri-tourism in India: Beautiful farmstays to get back to your roots

We can’t deny the fact that agriculture is the backbone of India and a great percentage of our economy depends on the agriculture sector. Having stated this, agri-tourism is the latest trend gaining popularity in the country. In the world of climate change and pandemic, people are now more keen towards finding their roots and going back to nature.

This is why farmstays are now blossoming in India. These places offer authentic village and farm life by providing interactive experience of rural life. Fresh air is all we seek today and these are places where we can repair our polluted lungs!

Let’s have a look at some of the best farmstays in India.

Kerala is one of the best places to experience village life in India. Vanilla County in Kottayam district is a beautiful farmstay, boasting a 70 year-old heritage bungalow. The gorgeous place is situated some two and a half hours drive from Kochi airport, near Vagamon. Here, guests can enjoy a complete village life, go on plantation walks, trekking, and visit other nearby villages.

Goat Village in Garhwal region of Uttarakhand offers an authentic village experience to guests. The whole property is dedicated to organic farming and agriculture and if you love goats, you’ll definitely love this place. The purpose-built cottages here offer delicious local cuisine with the help of villagers. Though reaching here requires a trek of about an hour, it’s all worth it.

Punjab is the heart of Indian agriculture flourishing with all the romantic and yellow sarson ke khet. Prakriti Farms in Punjab is nearly an hour drive from Chandigarh at the foothills of the Shivalik Range. Guests can choose to stay at the cottages or tents which are equipped with shared bathrooms. Some luxury Swiss tents have attached bathrooms as well.

Situated in Sindhudurg district, Maharashtra, Maachli is among the best farmstay of India. The place is set in Parule village on the Konkan Coast, and is home to Maachli, meaning 'elevated huts'. Bhogwe and Tarkarli are the nearest beaches to the property. Accommodation here is offered in four hut-style rooms.

Nagaland villages are so beautiful that you’ll be totally mesmerised with their natural beauty! An offbeat Indian beauty, Nagaland is dotted with many pretty little villages. Konyak Tea Retreat in Mon district is a boutique farmhouse set in the middle of a secluded 250-hectare tea estate. Besides tea gardens, the farm also boasts of an orange orchard and vegetable garden. Guests here are taught how to milk cows and goats. Also, those who wish can go along and work with locals in the farms and learn the art of agriculture.

Another pretty farmstay in Kerala, Dewalokam is around 90 minutes drive from Kochi airport. Guests here can relish a wide variety of farm fresh fruits and vegetables. To help guests get in touch with their roots, the property organises village walks, temple visits and cow milking.

You’ll be shocked to know that a renowned Bollywood director gave up his hit career in the entertainment industry to stay connected with nature and well, to make cheese! Yes, the famous Bollywood director Mansoor Khan (Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak fame), now makes cheese with his family at the gorgeous 22-acre Acres Wild Cheesemaking Farmstay in Coonoor, Tamil Nadu. He has devoted his life to cheese and nature. Guests here can learn cheese making and stay at cottages, named after types of cheeses. Such a devoted cheese lover!