Department of Tourism & Cultural Affairs Organises 5thAwareness Workshop on Farm Stay Policy 2026 at Patiala
To promote rural tourism and create additional livelihood opportunities for farmers, the Department of Tourism & Cultural Affairs, Government of Punjab organised an Awareness Workshop on Farm Stay Policy 2026 at the District Administrative Complex today. The workshop witnessed the participation of over 150 farmers and officials from various government departments across the district.
The workshop was attended by, Ms. Sheetal Behl, Manager Project; Sh. Maninder Saini, Superintendent, Department of Tourism & Cultural Affairs, Dr. Dara Singh, Chief Agriculture Officer Mr. Hardeep Singh, Tourist Officer, Patiala, along with representatives of the EY team, officials from various government departments, farmers, and other stakeholders.
During the workshop, participants were briefed on the key provisions of the Farm Stay Policy 2026, including eligibility criteria, the registration process, incentives, and support mechanisms available under the policy. Special emphasis was laid on sustainable rural tourism, capacity building, promotion of local crafts, farm-based experiences, and community participation. The technical presentations and interactive sessions were facilitated by representatives of the EY team, who guided participants through the policy provisions and addressed queries related to registration and implementation.
As part of the workshop, two successful farm stay owners from Patiala district shared their experiences with the participants. Dr. Bhagwan Singh Khoji, owner of Shahi Chaubara, Sidhuwal, which has been operational since 2021, spoke about his journey in establishing a farm stay and highlighted the support received from the Government in promoting his farm stay endevour. He encouraged farmers to register under the Farm Stay Policy and develop farm stays on their own farms to create multiple and sustainable sources of income.
Abinder Singh Grewal, owner of Gary Farms, located in Village Nanoki, which has been welcoming visitors since 2008, also addressed the gathering. Sharing his experience as a successful rural tourism entrepreneur, he encouraged farmers to take advantage of the Farm Stay Policy and diversify their livelihoods. He further highlighted that while more than one lakh tourists visit the Golden Temple every day, Punjab has immense potential to encourage visitors to extend their stay by experiencing authentic village life, local cuisine, agriculture, and cultural traditions through farm stays across different districts of the state.
The interactive session provided a platform for farmers to seek clarifications and engage directly with officials regarding the implementation of the policy. Participants appreciated the initiative and expressed their enthusiasm to work closely with the Punjab Government to promote tourism while creating sustainable livelihood opportunities through farm stays and rural tourism initiatives.
The workshop concluded with active participation from farmers, who appreciated the Department’s initiative and expressed confidence that the Farm Stay Policy 2026 would open new avenues for rural employment, entrepreneurship, and community-led tourism across Punjab.
