Johor aims to produce three million litres of fresh milk

Moo-ving to Mersing: Some 1,000 cows have been imported from Australia to Johor as part of the state government’s bid to expand its dairy industry. — THOMAS YONG/The Star

JOHOR BARU: The state is targeting to produce more than three million litres of fresh milk next year under the Jemaluang Dairy Valley (JDV) project.

Johor agriculture, agro-based industry and rural development committee chairman Datuk Zaha­ri Sarip said this was the target after more than 1,000 cows were brought in from Australia for the dairy farm located in Mersing.

“Most of the cows are pregnant, and we expect to have some 1,000 calves within the next three to six months.

“This will enable us to produce over three million litres of milk next year, and we expect the ­figure to increase to between four and five million litres by the following year.

“In the next five years, production is expected to reach about 12 million litres annually.

“This will not only meet local demand but also increase the country’s overall milk output by about 20%,” he said.

Zahari said this to reporters after inspecting the cows, which arrived at Johor Port in Pasir Gudang yesterday.

JDV is a strategic collaboration between the Johor government and the East Coast Economic Region Development Council, which is being managed by Jema­luang Dairy Valley Sdn Bhd.

Zahari noted that each cow can produce about 35 litres of milk per milking session.

“We expect the cows to start producing milk by January or at the latest by March next year.

“More cows may be imported from Australia next year, but it depends on our needs and ­whether we can reach our target,” he said.

He added that the cows will be quarantined before being transported to the farm.

He said the large-scale dairy project would also reduce Malay­sia’s reliance on milk imports and help stabilise local supply.

“More importantly, it will meet local demand and create new opportunities for small-scale dairy farmers.

“I have discussed with Jema­luang Dairy Valley Sdn Bhd to engage with local farmers once the operation is fully running so that they can channel their milk production to JDV.

“In the past, some smallholders faced challenges selling their milk and had to discard the excess. With JDV’s processing facilities, they will now have a proper outlet,” he said.

Zahari also said that the valley is expected to become an agro-­tourism attraction in Mersing.

“There are already many ­videos about it on social media, and once operations begin, we plan to bring reporters to visit the site,” he added.