MAHA 2016 Malaysia @ MAEPS Serdang

MAHA 2016 (Malaysian Agriculture, Horticulture & Agrotourism) @ MAEPS, Serdang

So what are you up to this long weekend? For the first time ever, I was at the Malaysian Agriculture, Horticulture & Agrotourism (MAHA) 2016 at MAEPS, Serdang yesterday to participate in their fun-filled day out. The MAHA 2016 event covered a vast area at MAEPS, Serdang, which took us a whole day just to cover the basics. Go with your family, and it would definately be a perfect outing with so much to learn for the kids and adults alike. 

Visiting MAHA 2016 (Malaysian Agriculture, Horticulture & Agrotourism) @ MAEPS, Serdang with fellow bloggers

Our Food Our Future

It was a full day out at MAHA 2016, with so much to see and experience, from food to fruits to cows and more! Our Food Our Future, that's the theme this year, with the event happening from 1st – 11th December 2016, 10 am – 10 pm at Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang (MAEPS). This means you only have 2 more days to check them out, so go today itself! This is going to be a rather lengthy post with lots of pictures, as we visited so many different spots and booths in MAHA 2016, so read on below. 

Location Map of MAHA 2016, it's HUGE!

About MAHA 2016

As the mainstay of the nation’s food sovereignty and food security, agriculture remains the focal point of government efforts to promote it in communities throughout Malaysia. The 2016 edition of the biennial MAHA event, that takes place together with The Farmers, Livestock Producers and Fishermen’s Day (HPPNK) programme, actively promoting agriculture and agro-based industries, showcasing all the different components of this fast-growing industry.

Welcome to the Machines area of MAHA 2016

Transformers come to mind

Among the many highlights of MAHA 2016 is a concerted focus on agrotourism, agro trade and agro lifestyle, along with the latest innovations and technological advancements. Spearheading food exports is of paramount importance with agriculture being a high-income generator. Motivating young entrepreneurs to participate in agro-based industries as their career of choice is also prioritised to take the industry to new heights.

One of the many expo halls of MAHA 2016

Check it out! The 2,500,000th visitor to MAHA2016! 

This outstanding agro fair, which builds on the success of previous such events, presents myriad opportunities for industry players throughout the 11-day event. Participants will not only network and learn the latest agricultural methods and innovations but also take part in a movement that will propel Malaysia into leading the agricultural revolution taking place around the world.

Nafas Cube @ Mardi

Nafas Cube @ Mardi (pic courtesy of Glam Rawlins)

Container styled accommodations? Why not. Plus these containers don't just look super nice, the rooms furnished inside are super duper comfy too! Nafas Cube is a collaboration project between National Farmers Organization (NAFAS) and Mardi. Newly opened, it is a sight to behold. 

Check it out, Nafas Cube 

Chic looking, modern contemporary container styles accommodations at Nafas Cube

It looks really interesting from outside. 

Lots of greenery everywhere, Nafas Cube is the perfect getaway for couples and small families, or folks looking for an out of the ordinary staycation experience. Staying inside a container never felt so right. The prices of the various styled rooms ranges from RM120 for the tent styled room to RM250 for the really luxurious Container (VVIP) rooms. 

My own personal space at Nafas Cube

Who wouldn't want to stay here? I would. 

Even the bathroom looks so modern and nice

Tube Container Rooms

Tent Rooms

Depending on the rooms you prefer, Nafas Cube is definitely the right choice for your next homestay planning. The pricing of the various rooms are listed as below. 

Container (Executive) – RM 180

Container (VIP Family) – RM 250

Container (VVIP) – RM 250

Tube – RM 150

Tent (Khemah) – RM 120

Nafas Cube @ Mardi

My DOF Valley (Laman Perikanan)

My DOF Valley (Laman Perikanan)

A complete eco-system in a tank by UGC

We visited My DOF Valley (Laman Perikanan) showcase next, where the first exhibit that greeted us upon entering was this really cool tank containing a complete eco-system. The exhibitor, UGC, has developed a greenhouse system to replicate the tropical rainforest. Imagine having an automated environment to grow literally any plant you want, creating a habitat of choice for your pet. With a tap of a button from your smartphone, you could make it fog, rain or even make a thunderstorm happen in the tank. How interesting and advanced technology have become. 

This floating bonsai plant caught my attention

Kingdom of Sharks

Enter the shark's mouth

Inside, it's a whole new world, a mini Aquaria

The kids will love the next attraction at MAHA 2016, the Shark Kingdom. Enter via the huge Shark's Mouth entrance into a mini Aquaria inside where there's turtles, shark information and sea life inside. There's even a touch pool where you get to hands on with some marine life. 

Sate Tuna

Sate Tuna launch and promotion at MAHA 2016

Delicious sate tuna being grilled

Something new to me, I was intrigued by the Sate Tuna booth located just outside The Shark's Kingdom. I would imagine the taste may be a tad fishy since it's tuna, but surprisingly it came out tasting really good. So the next time you're bored of the usual chicken, beef or lamb satays, why not try out the healthier option, Sate Tuna!

Fisherman’s Fun House

Look at me!

Always love myself a good upside down house, our next stop, the Fisherman's Fun House was the perfect spot to get those nice shots. Inside the house, every furniture and decorations were placed upside down, for you to snap a picture with like the one I took above. Interesting indeed. 

Laman Padi Bernas

Real paddy fields for us to experience

Real mud as well if you're game

Our next stop is an informative one, with real hands on experience, and real paddy fields for us to see, touch and feel. Inside the Laman Padi Bernas information centre, we get to learn about all the facts about rice production in Malaysia. Learn all about the different types of rice, how they're produced and the looks of it. In fact, there was even a booth showcasing my favourite bedak sejuk, made from rice of course. 

Learn how to make your own bedak sejuk

A DIY machine to process rice

Pineapple Planet (Laman Nanas)

Pusat Informasi Nanas

Beautiful yummy pineapples 

Everytime someone mentions pineapples to me, the 'pen pineapple apple pen' song comes to mind. We checked out the Pineapple Planet at Pusat Informasi Nanas, where we were introduced to the MD2 pineapple variant which is known for its sweetness and no "eyes". This is a very good thing, where after having these pineapples, we won't have to worry about our tongue being prickly and uncomfortable. 

MD2 Pineapple variant, yum 

Weave using threads made from pineapple fibres

Don't mind me, I'm heading to my pineapple farm!

There's even an online social media contest on-going inside the Laman Nanas where all you have to do is make use of their 3D Art props to snap some creative shots. Check mine pictured above! While we were there, we caught up with a fellow blogger too, Hazman where he has started up his own pineapple juice business named Jus Bob Nanas, so if you're at MAHA 2016 do check out his booth. 

Premium Nangka Madu IceCream

Sate Ayam Goreng for tea break

Laman Ternakan

After a quick snack on some noms, notably the yummy Premium Nangka Madu IceCream and Sate Ayam Goreng, we were on our way to check out the livestock farms where life animals were at. There's this rather muscular cow there, aptly named the Lembu Sado (Belgian Blue) which is a breed of beef cattle that can produce double muscling. A hybrid, I continue to be awed by the state of technology we have achieved, in this age and time. 

Lembu Sado (Belgian Blue)

Feeding the Shami Goats (Kambing Shami)

Remember to check out the Dairy Valley booth

I did not miss the chance to feed the really cute and adorable Shami Goats (Kambing Shami). Running around in their enclosure, they were pretty hungry and immediately took a liking to our vegetables on hand. Dairy Valley's booth are having a promotion for Farm Fresh, so do remember to drop by and try their ice cream and milk. 

Garden District – Floriculture (Laman Herba/Laman Sayur)

Having fun at the Garden District – Floriculture (Laman Herba/Laman Sayur) 

Interesting jagungs

This is actually called the Upin Ipin Labu

When you're at MAHA 2016, be sure to check out their Garden District – Floriculture (Laman Herba/Laman Sayur). I got to learn on a couple of vegetable planting techniques, and a whole lot of colourful and unique vegetables from multi coloured corn to gigantic bottle guards to feast our eyes on. 

Ladang Mini Kelutut

Ladang Mini Kelutut 

Fellow blogger, Auntie Lilly from followmetoeatla.blogspot.my having a go at sipping the Kelutut honey

The name is new to me, but I think I did hear of Kelutut honey before. We could literally sip the Kelutut honey directly from their hive, which is pretty cool. The raw honey itself did not taste as sweet as I expected it to be, instead it had a rather heavy sourish after taste, which I was told has very good anti-oxidant materials. Oh well, I still like my honey sweet. 

Upin & Ipin - Kampung Durian Runtuh

Couldn't resist snapping a photo here

Love the technology used to bring Upin & Ipin to live

It was a very educational experience for the kids

Plant your own vegetables in a pot

Who doesn't love Upin & Ipin? One of the major highlights of MAHA 2016 is the Upin Ipin section of the expo. Children of all ages, even adults get to experience the many different sections inside the Kampung Durian Runtuh Upin & Ipin showcase at MAHA 2016. A lot to be learnt inside, all about plants, vegetables and plantations. There's even a 3D backdrop section for visitors to snap the perfect picture. 

Persembahan Upin & Ipin

Remember to catch the real life performances of Upin & Ipin @ MAHA 2016

Go shopping at AgroLifestyle booths in the many halls at MAHA 2016

MAHA 2016 isn't just about gardening and agriculture classes, you get the chance to shop for food and products at the AgroLifestyle booths too. There are many, many choices to choose from. It was a good day trip to #MAHA2016 this year, and I am looking forward to the next one.

UPDATE

Just one week after the end of the biggest MAHA 2016 @ MAEPS this year, I've just gotten my hands on some timelapse video to share with you. Guess what? More than 3.7 million visitors have been recorded to have visited MAHA 2016 Malaysia this year! Check some of the videos of the crowd below.

Big turn out even after the sun has come down, what a successful MAHA 2016 this year!

It was such a big success, the festivities went on into the night, with huge crowds gathering even after the sun has gone down as MAHA 2016 runs up until 10pm every night.  For more information on MAHA 2016 (Malaysian Agriculture, Horticulture & Agrotourism) @ MAEPS, Serdang do check out their official website at www.maha.gov.my