India’s agro farm stay market has witnessed significant growth as more travellers seek meaningful experiences and a deeper connection with the land. Embracing the charm of Agro Farm Stays, a rising trend in agritourism, provides a unique opportunity to connect with rural life, indulge in farm-to-table experiences, and rejuvenate amidst the tranquil beauty of the monsoon season. Here are four farm stays you must visit.
1.Off the Grid, Goa
Escape the crowded beaches and embrace the monsoon serenity at Off the Grid in Goa. This offbeat agro farm stay nestled amidst lush paddy fields offers a refreshing getaway. Experience sustainable farming, savor organic Goan delicacies, and witness the land bloom with seasonal beauty. Solar-powered cottages and water conservation initiatives reflect their commitment to eco-consciousness. Immerse in rural life, join farmers in harvesting fresh vegetables, and partake in enlightening eco-workshops. Discover the true essence of Goa’s culture with folk performances around the bonfire. As the raindrops serenade you, Off the Grid becomes an ethereal paradise where tranquility and rejuvenation become a way of life.
- Prakriti Farms, Rupnagar, Punjab
Nestled in the serene countryside of Rupnagar, Punjab, Prakriti Farms is a tranquil agro farm stay that captivates guests with its authentic rural charm. Embracing sustainable practices, this farmstay is a delightful escape for those seeking a monsoon sojourn away from the city’s hustle. Immerse yourself in the simplicity of farm life, pluck fresh produce from the fields, and relish the taste of organic meals made with love. Engage in traditional Punjabi activities, and witness the beauty of the monsoons as they rejuvenate the land and bring forth bountiful crops.
- Acres Wild Cheesemaking Farmstay, Coonoor, Tamil Nadu
Amidst the lush tea plantations of Coonoor, Tamil Nadu, Acres Wild Cheesemaking Farmstay offers a unique agritourism experience with a cheesy twist. This farmstay, owned by Mansoor Khan, director of films like Qayamat se Qayamat Tak, Josh, etc is a cheese lover’s dream, where guests can learn the art of cheese making while reveling in the monsoon’s charm. Surrounded by abundant greenery and mist-covered hills, this stay promises a sensory delight. Participate in cheese-making workshops, stroll through the tea gardens, and relish delectable farm-to-table cheese-based meals as the monsoon transforms the landscape into a picturesque haven.
- Philipkutty’s Farm, Kumarakom, Kerala
Stay in independent, homely, waterfront villas run by a family, on a beautiful farm island, in the backwaters of Kerala. Philipkutty’s Farm is owned and run by Anu, her mother-in-law Aniamma, her son Philip and daughter, Anya. The waterfront villas are entirely separate from the family residence, and independent from each other. The first villa, designed by Karl Damscen, a Swiss architect, is a traditionally styled, antique-filled, open plan bungalow, with sufficient space for two people and an extra bed if needed. The other villas, designed by Thomas Dominic, are in the same decorative style, but with a separate bedroom, living room and ‘sit-out’ facing the peaceful, palm-fringed waterfront.
All this is set on a beautiful farm island, which was reclaimed from the backwaters of Lake Vembanad in the early 1950’s by Anu’s late husband’s grandfather. The working farm, which practices sustainable/organic methods of farming, is two metres below the lake level and produces coconut, banana, fruit and vegetables. Accessible by road up to the bank opposite the farm and villas, a ‘vallam’ (country boat) will ferry guests across the wide backwater to the island.
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