June 25, 2019

Malaysia to establish dairy valleys by end-2019
  

By the end of 2019, three dairy valleys will be built in the Malaysian states of Perak and Selangor, The Star reported.

The valleys, which would help boost Malaysia's dairy production and hence cut down the dependency on imports, align with the government's five-point road map that was launched in February, said Deputy Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Sim Tze Tzin.

The valleys would be built in Lembah Bernam, Selangor, and Lembah Alim and Larut in Perak to provide dairy farmers the space they needed to rear cattle.

"The sustainable development of the local dairy industry will ensure Malaysians have access to high quality milk and create job opportunities for dairy farmers," Sim added.

The minister was speaking at the launch of Dutch Lady Malaysia's Farmer2Farmer Programme 2019 at the official residence of the Netherlands ambassador in Kuala Lumpur.

In 2018, Malaysia imported RM3.9 billion (US$942 million) worth of dairy products, which include cheese and yoghurt. According to Sim, the Dutch Lady programme would help lower the cost as the output from local farmers would increase.

He also revealed that the government is looking to raise Malaysia's self sufficiency level from its current 58.25% to 100% within five years.

- The Star