Laman Padi

Portfolio Description

LAMAN PADI

Laman Padi is a living museum of an eco-tourism attraction conceptually based upon love for nature in a tradition of rice ecosystem. Set in an area of 13.86 acres in size, the natural setting promotes a rustic view of the serene greenness of the 8.6 acres paddy field within the compound.

The rice heritage is invaluable – its history and traditions dated hundreds of years ago can be appreciated by visiting the exhibition at the gallery. The traditional practices of paddy farming together with the artifacts assembled are uniquely blended amidst the real setting of paddy field environment.

After wondering around the paddy field and gallery, visitors can relax at the pavilion, resting sheds or the balconies available at the complex, of where they can view the open field from afar. Nature lovers can explore the surrounding and appreciate the established paddy field landscapes or the herbal garden around the complex.

Visitors should not miss the opportunity to linger around the multi-tiered roof-top rice garden, where traditional varieties are planted. From this location, they can also get an amazing bird’s eye view of the area.

Many attractive location are naturally set up for the photograph taking purposes which include the paddy field, the Paddy Gallery, the Herbs Garden, the traditional wooden shed, giant bird nest and the 3D murals art wall.

The Laman Padi Herbs Garden presented a total of 55 varieties of herb plants. Visitor can touch and smell the plants and take the opportunity to gain knowledge of its benefit for health. Most are commonly used in local traditional medicinal, cooking and cosmetic process and products.

The water buffalo is the most important working animal for farmers and you will see them in the field and rice paddies as you explore the lush countryside. The are two types of species namely the black buffaloes and albino buffaloes.

After hours of an exciting tour, visitors can enjoy our Malay delicacies served at the restaurant. Feel the pleasant atmosphere and view of the paddy fields while enjoying a meal here.

Highlights

Highlights of Laman Padi, Langkawi

Come and immerse yourself with friendly locals and get to know about traditional paddy cultivation. Laman Padi Langkawi spans over 13 acres and was conceptualised to promote eco-tourism in a rustic and natural setting.

Visitors will now have the opportunity to indulge in a serene green sanctuary of 8.6 acres of paddy fields within the compound whilst enjoying the golden hue of the vast paddy fields during the paddy ripening season.

Herbs Garden

Considered a living museum which showcased a vast variety of traditional herbs, Herbs Garden is considered a major attraction for those interested to know and learn about the types and benefits of plants with its medicinal values.

The experience of actual touching, smelling and at times tasting them will definitely create awareness of the rich advantages of our local herbal plants.

There are 55 types of herbal plants grown at the garden, each with its own, medicinal and benefit values, the concept of the garden itself is to spread the awareness and knowledge to visitors of their usage and benefits in our daily lives.

Among the plants grown here are Black Sugarcane, Fragrant Lemongrass, Asian Pigeonwings, Galangal and others. Some of them can be easily found and easily grown at our own backyard.

Paddy Cultivation

The Stages of Paddy Cultivation

Stage 1 – Seeds Selection

Duration : 1 – 4 days

Selected paddy seeds are placed into buckets filled with water for 2 days and to be evaporated. The soaked seeds are then covered for another 2 days for the roots and buds to grow in a dark place.

Stage 2 – Preparation Of Seeding

Duration : 4 – 15 days

Farmers will plot their fields with the help of the water buffaloes to ensure it contained enough water before ploughing them. They will use traditional tools such as the hoe, plough, comb, spur and other farming equipments.

Stage 3 - Transplanting Process

Duration : 15 – 35 days

The saplings which have grown fully will be uprooted in clusters and will be taken to the field for re-planting. This task will be carried out by the women folks in groups.

The men folks will carry the saplings from the nursery to the field. The women folks work in groups to plant 4 to 5 saplings that are bundled together and thrust into the soil manually with the help of a tool called ‘kuku kambing’.

Stage 4 - Harvesting and Trashing

Duration : 100 – 120 days

Harvesting season is referred to as a cutting season and usually falls during the dry season. In order to obtain maximum productivity, several traditional methods are used such as cutting and reaping. The trashing will be done by the men folks using trashing pot to separate the paddy from their stem. It will be dried out for about 2 days and will be kept at the paddy storage area.

Paddy Field Birds

Diversification of Paddy Field Birds

Langkawi, with its rich concentration of diverse eco-system is home to more than 250 species of residental and migrants birds mainly from Southern Thailand and East Asia from November until January. The most suitable time to observe them is either early in the morning or early evening when they are most active. The paddy fields in Langkawi provide a nice habitat for these birds as there are plenty of water, insects and aquatic creatures for food.

At Laman Padi itself, there are 20 species of birds at the paddy fieds such as Little Egret, Common Myna, Spotted Dove, Bulbul, Hummingbirds, Chinese Pond Heron, White Breasted Waterhen, Watercock, Crow, Kingfisher, Sparrow, Baya Weaver, Lesser Whistling Duck, Magpie, Hill Myna, Pigeon, Hornbill and others.

White Stork is the most common and much spotted species at Laman Padi in huge numbers and has be known for its role in the conservation of paddy fields and its eco-system.