Agro-tourism is a fast growing concept in the tourist industry and Melaka offers all its visitors a whole range of activities related to the agricultural and plantation sectors. In spite of the rapid industrialization of the state, Melakans have always felt very close to 'Mother Earth", as it was the rich, fertile soil that provided the sustenance throughout its colourful history.

Agro-tourism offers visitors to Melaka the following:-

Visits to rubber-plantations

The rubber industry is closely related to the history of British colonization of the Malay Peninsula. The British brought in heava brasiliensis (natural rubber seed) from the jungle of Brazil and planted it on an experimental basis in Malaysia. The rubber trees took exceptionally well to Malaysian soil and climatic conditions, and the rubber plantation was born, soon making Malaysia the leading producer of natural rubber. The rubber industry contributed immensely to the might of the British Empire and the socio-economic development of Malaysia. Visitors to Melaka can arrange for visits to rubber-estates and learn how rubber seeds are planted, the latex tapped and then processed to produce rubber sheets. The rubber industry in Malaysia was the backbone of the state and national economy for many years.

Visits to oil-palm plantations

The oil-palm plantation has replaced the rubber-plantation as the most important plantation agricultural crop. A visit to an oil-palm plantation will show visitors how palm oil is extracted from the fruit of the oil-palm tree. Malaysia is one of the leading producers of palm oil and Melaka has a few large oil-palm estates. Palm oil, which is low in fat, is used increasingly in cooking and in the manufacture of a whole range of edible, household and industrial products.

Fruit plantations

Melaka has many fruit plantations, which produces a wide variety of tropical fruits. A visit to a fruit plantation is a must to any visitor to Melaka. Visitors will find the wide variety of local fruits mind-boggling. It must be mentioned some of the fruits are seasonal; however agricultural research and improved strains have shortened their seasonal cycle. Tasting the durian, commonly referred to as the 'King of Fruits' will be a truly unique experience for any visitors. You will either love it or hate it. The refreshing juice from a freshly plucked fruit from the coconut palm offers a truly refreshing and invigorating drink for the tired and weary traveller. Locals attribute a whole array of medicinal qualities to this truly delicious drink. Other common local fruits are rambutans, mangoes, mangosteens, duku-langsats, watermelons, papayas and a wide variety of bananas.

Visits can also be arranged to cocoa plantations and padi (rice)-fields. The vast stretches of padi-fields - a sea of green - as far as the eye can see, the water buffaloes rolling in the mud to ward off the heat of the mid-day sun and the pesky insects, the tall coconut palms, gently swaying and reaching out into the cloudless blue sky, the quaint traditional Malay houses on stilts and the day's washing hanging out to dry just outside, offer a truly picturesque image of rural Melaka that will remain forever etched on the mind of the agro-tourist.

Ayer Keroh Recreational Forest

A must for nature lovers is the Ayer Keroh Recreational Forest which comprises of over 500 acres of greenery. This forest offers visits the opportunity to explore at a leisurely pace, an untouched tropical rain forest, rich in a countless variety of flora and fauna. The many varieties of trees are labeled with their local and scientific names. It is an ideal place for jungle trekking, hiking, jogging and cycling.

Many facilities have been set up in Ayer Keroh and the surrounding areas to provide for agro-tourism related activities. In addition, along the coastal area and the islands off the coast of Melaka, nature parks have been set up and accommodation is available for those who want to spend a night, truly close to nature. Visit these scenic spots at Tanjung Bidara, Ayer Keroh, Pulau Upeh and Tanjung Tuan.

For Further Information, Please Contact:

The Director State Department of Agriculture Melaka
Tel: +606 282 3458
Fax:+606 281 4126

http://agrolink.moa.my/doa/english/state/Melaka/ag_tour.html

Source:" VISIT HISTORIC MELAKA MEANS VISIT MALAYSIA"