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Agro tourism is a popular and fascinating form of tourism, especially since Malaysia was once an agriculture-based economy. In fact, many Malaysians are still very involved in this sector. The industry is sustained by crops like corn, soybean, cocoa, rubber and oil palm. Visitors can access and enjoy the fruits of labour and way of life of the farmers of the land, so experience first-hand what it is like to tap a rubber

tree, harvest paddy, or pluck clusters of orange-red oil palm fruits. Many agro-tourism destinations in Malaysia offer a wealth of fun and healthy activities that await day-trip holidaymakers. Additionally, visitors can get first-hand tips on sampling delicious tropical fruits, shopping for handicrafts and finding the best camping, kayaking and fishing grounds.

Many visitors; particularly from Australia, New Zealand and Europe; have an interest in staying at a 'local' farmhouse. At these farms, visitors can personally pick fruits and vegetables. The government of Malaysia is currently in the midst of opening satellite farms in Johor, Perak, Selangor, Kedah, Negeri Sembilan and Melaka for agro-tourism purposes.

Fishing Villages

For visitors unfamiliar with the laid-back charms of rural Malaysia the fishing village of Kuala Parit Jawa serves as a fine example. The tidal inlet is crowded with wooden vessels which fish the muddy waters of the Straits of Melaka.

There are a number of open-air seafood restaurants specialising in spicy fish recipes. Add to that a couple

of brightly coloured Chinese temples and modest Malay kampung houses surrounded by banana, papaya and durian orchards and you have a scene of rural tranquility.

Mud and Mangroves

Beyond the rickety wooden jetty at the mouth of Kuala Parit Jawa is a wide expanse of mud, which becomes exposed at low tide. The coastal mudflats of the Straits of Melaka are rich in organic content, supporting an abundance of invertebrate life including worms, snails, bivalves, crabs and prawns. In turn these food groups support a rich web of higher species including fish such as mudskippers; reptiles such as water snakes;

monitors; and a wide range of bird species. Mammals too live in the adjacent mangroves; groups of Long-tailed Macaque (Macaca fascicularis) and regularly venture out of the mangroves and onto the mudflats, probably to feed upon crabs - hence their other name 'Crab-eating Macaque'. The Oriental Small-clawed Otter (Aonyx cinerea) can also be seen here.

Farms

Malaysia is home to some 370 species of edible fruits including exotic ones to suit even the fussiest eater.
Tropical Fruit Farm not only have a commercial function, but help preserve Malaysia's 'green' heritage. These farms also play a positive role towards agriculture despite the intensive development of Malaysia's rural areas by maintaining some of the 'older' styles and methods of Malaysian agriculture.

Lakes & Fishing

As a tropical country, Malaysia enjoys high levels of rainfall throughout the year. Thus many fresh-water lakes, rivers, streams and reservoirs can be found across Malaysia. These natural sites boast a diversity of species and are increasingly becoming tourist destinations of note for visitors wishing to experience the un-industrialised side of Malaysia. With the increase of visitors to these more isolated and less

commercialised attractions, more resources are becoming available for the protection and maintenance of these unspoiled destinations.

Malaysian Agro-tourism detsinations