Department of Tourism & Cultural Affairs Organises Awareness Workshop on Farm Stay Policy 2026 at Ludhiana

Ludhiana, June 30, 2026: 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 Deputy Commissioner's Office, Ludhiana, Punjab, on 30th June 2026. The workshop witnessed the participation of around 80 farmers and officials from various government departments across the district.
The workshop was attended by Dr. Dampreet Walia, Joint Director, Department of Tourism & Cultural Affairs, Punjab; Dr. Gurdeep Singh, Chief Agriculture Officer, Ludhiana; Sheetal Behl, Manager Project; Gurjot Singh, Tourist Officer, Ludhiana; knowledge partners of Department of Tourism & Cultural Affairs, Government of Punjab along with officials from various government departments and other stakeholders.
Addressing the participants, Dr. Dampreet Walia, Joint Director, Department of Tourism & Cultural Affairs, Punjab, highlighted the vision and objectives of the Farm Stay Policy 2026 and encouraged farmers to register under the policy to benefit from the growing tourism sector. He stated that the initiative aims to diversify rural income sources while showcasing Punjab's rich culture, heritage, traditions, and agricultural lifestyle to visitors from across India and abroad.
During the workshop, participants were briefed on the policy provisions, eligibility criteria, registration process, 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 presentations and interactive sessions were facilitated by representatives of the EY team along with government officials, who guided participants through the key provisions of the policy and addressed queries related to registration and implementation.
As part of its statewide awareness campaign, the Department has been organising a series of awareness workshops across Punjab to encourage wider participation and facilitate the development of farm stays throughout 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 in the state while creating sustainable livelihood opportunities through farm stays and rural tourism initiatives.
The workshop concluded with an encouraging response from participants, reflecting the growing interest among farmers in embracing tourism as an additional source of income and contributing to the promotion of Punjab's authentic rural experiences.