LANGKAWI: Nine Agro-technology parks operated by the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (Mardi) have attracted over 600,000 visitors, generating an income of approximately RM22 million per year.
Mardi director-general Datuk Dr Mohamad Zabawi Abdul Ghani said the Langkawi and Cameron Highland Agro-technology Parks each draw around 45,000 visitors monthly, the highest among the parks.
"Current trends indicate that both parks are gradually recovering post Covid-19, each generating about RM2 million annually, offering some relief to Mardi.
"The Tanjung Karang Agro-technology Park in Selangor, on the other hand, earns RM20,000 per month," he told a press conference after opening the Green-Tourism replanting programme at the Langkawi Agro-technology Park today.
Besides Langkawi, Cameron Highlands, and Tanjung Karang, six other locations also host similar parks, namely Kuala Kangsar and Bagan Datuk in Perak, Cherating (Pahang), Kuala Linggi (Melaka), Jeram Pasu (Kelantan), and Kluang (Johor).
Commenting on the programme, Zabawi said 450 saplings, including 200 durian trees, were planted at the Langkawi Agro-technology Park to replace aging trees.
"Our goal is for each Mardi station nationwide to plant at least 800 trees in support of the Malaysian Greening Programme's 100 Million Tree-Planting Campaign 2021-2025 initiated by the government," Zabawi said .