MARDI Agrotechnology Park

Visitors are escorted around the complex on a 30-minute tram tour, making several stops for the guide to explain current projects or specific fruit varieties, vegetables and herbs. Stops may include a grape garden, greenhouses with succulents and pineapples, honey collected from stingless bees, and a fruit buffet.

Don't miss the 4-level observation tower behind the tram stop for panoramic views over Langkawi island and the sea. Next to the tower is a deer enclosure where you can buy food packs to hand-feed these gentle animals as well as giant catfish, located in a freshwater pond close to the greenhouses.

Look Around

Front entrance

Ticket desk

Tram station

Fruiting sapodilla tree near tram station

Man-made waterfall

Entrance & front of complex

Shukran Observation tower

Steep steps to the top

View over MARDI

Sweeping island views

Deer feeding

Observation tower and deer feeding

Grape signage

Grape vines

Passionfruit & melon growing

Grape, passionfruit, & melon growing

Rambutan tasting

Local berries

Sampling opportunities (with staff permission)

Herb garden signage

Local herbs

Local & imported herbs

Herb garden

Ekor Kuching (Red Cat's Tail)

Friendly butterfily

Catfish pond

Photo opportunities by natural stream

Sugarcane

Around the complex

Pineapple growing in greenhouse

Greenhouse entrance

Greenhouse garden interior

Greenhouses

Who Will Like MARDI Agrotechnology Park

Fun Expert

Take the tram tour to rest little legs while you introduce youngsters to new, tropical fruit varieties. Don't forget to purchase food packs to feed deer and massive, 3-foot-long catfish.

Food Connoisseur

Sample fresh local tropical fruits you may have never tasted before, stick with the popular fruits like pineapple and banana.

Nature Lover

Walk around the serene complex surrounded by coconut trees, banana trees, freshwater ponds, and dozens of other plant species. Discover new fruit varieties and learn the traditional medicinal properties of local herbs.

Insider Tips For MARDI Agrotechnology Park

• The best time to visit is early in the morning before it gets too hot.
• Ticket payment must be made by cash. No electronic payment methods are available.
• Tram tours last 30 minutes with trams leaving from the tram terminal every 10 minutes.
• No audio commentary is available in the tram. The driver/guide stops at main attractions and lets everyone out for a closer look and to explain the plants. Each stop is 5-10 minutes long. Popular stops include the grape garden, jackfruit, greenhouses, and fruit buffet.
• The 4-level observation tower is not included in the tram tour, so visit before or after your tour.
• Food packs for deer and catfish are available near the observation tower for RM3 (USD$0.67) each. The deer are located behind the tower while the catfish pond is across the complex, near the greenhouses.
• Vegetable plants and fruit trees currently lack signage to identify the species and edible or medicinal uses. MARDI plan to install QR codes to scan for information on each plant.
• Small market stalls are available near the greenhouses to purchase fresh fruit, drinks, and plants & seedlings. Try the fresh coconut water.
• Some research displays are on show near the entrance for those interested in agriculture.
• An on-site campground is available for hire with advanced notice.

Shaded benches for resting

Fish food available for purchase

Feeding catfish

Rest opportunities & fish feeding

Video

How To Get There

Tech & Photography

Food & Drink

Visitors can sample some fresh fruit within the complex. For a more substantial meal, drive 3 minutes northwest to main highway, Jalan Ulu Melaka, where several food vendors and small restaurants can be found.

Fruit to sample

Fresh coconut

Fruit & drinks for tasting & purchase

COVID-19 Response

In response to Malaysia's Relaxed Movement Control Order (RMCO), MARDI has implemented measures including:

• Cancelation of all tram tours
• Trial of self-guided walking tours around the complex called "Let's Explore"
• Placement of staff members at checkpoints near main attractions to help visitors and answer any questions.
• Reduced entry fees - International: adult: RM15 (USD$3.37), child: RM7 (USD$1.57), and Malay: adult: RM5 (USD$1.12), child: RM3 (USD$0.67).

Backstory

MARDI was established in 1990 by the Langkawi Development Authority (LADA) as an agricultural research facility. Many successful research projects have been undertaken, including a project to produce larger fruit on sapodilla trees, and a partnership with 5G network provider, Maxis, to grow grapes, a fruit usually unable to grow in Malaysia's tropical climate.

Half of MARDI's 35 hectares of land is dedicated to agricultural research while the other half is open to educating tourists and farmers on tropical fruit varieties and modern agricultural methods.

Etiquette

Scorecard

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