A group of students from Oslo, Norway, turned a visit to Nandgaon village in Mathura on Saturday into an immersive lesson in rural India. Their experience included farm activities, traditional hospitality, and local food. This visit was part of UP Tourism's World Agri-Tourism Day celebrations held across 17 districts under the 'Visit My State' campaign.
Showcasing Village Life and Traditions
The initiative aimed to showcase village life, agriculture, crafts, and local traditions as emerging tourism experiences beyond conventional destinations such as Ayodhya, Kashi, and Agra. Activities were organized in tourism villages across districts, including Prayagraj, Jhansi, Firozabad, Mainpuri, Barabanki, Bulandshahr, and Chitrakoot.
Engaging Activities for Participants
Students, tourists, and local communities participated in village walks, natural farming sessions, cultural programs, and agro-tourism exposure visits. In Barabanki's Rajauli village, students from a Lucknow-based school visited a beekeeping center where they learned about honey production, bee species, and tasted different varieties of honey.
In Jhansi's Patha Kharka village, visitors explored tulsi farming, pottery, and rural cuisine. Etawah's Bara Khera hosted farm stay and nature trail experiences. A two-day training program on agro-tourism and natural farming was also launched in Bulandshahr's Bhagwanpur village for self-help group members and farmer-based tourism service providers.
Cultural and Economic Impact
The celebrations additionally featured ODOP exhibitions, local craft showcases, cuisine festivals, folk performances, rural sports, and plantation drives across participating villages. Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh said the campaign aims to connect tourists with the "real soul" of UP through villages, farms, and local traditions while generating livelihood opportunities for rural communities.
Officials said UP currently has 234 notified rural tourism villages and plans to further integrate village circuits with major tourist destinations across the state.
