Johor bahru: The state government will add 1,000 more A2 Jersey Friesian dairy cows from Victoria Harbour, Australia to strengthen the food security agenda. Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi announced that this initiative aims to boost local milk production capacity through the construction of the Jemaluang Dairy Valley (JDV) dairy factory. He highlighted that milk processing would be fully conducted at the factory, marking the second phase of the project.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, local cows typically produce about 12 litres of milk per day, whereas the imported cows are expected to yield over 27 to 30 litres daily. This increase is set to position Johor as the country's largest milk producer, with full operations anticipated by 2027, as stated during the groundbreaking ceremony of the JDV Dairy Factory. The event was attended by JDV chief executive officer Qasem Alhasan and state Agriculture, Agro-based Industry and Rural Development Committee chairman Datuk Zahari Sarip.
Qasem Alhasan revealed plans to incorporate an agro-tourism concept in the area, scheduled to open to school students by mid-2027. The initiative includes activities such as all-terrain vehicle rides, camping, and a mini zoo. The second phase of the project will be accessible to the public in 2028.
According to Qasem, JDV plans to produce a range of products, including fresh milk, date-flavoured milk, strawberry and chocolate milk, yogurt, and ice cream-all to be processed at the new factory. The facility is designed to accommodate up to 4,000 cows, with potential for further expansion through strategic collaboration with the state government.
The collaborative project between the Johor State Government, the East Coast Economic Region Development Council (ECERDC), and JDV Sdn Bhd involves an investment of approximately RM80 million. The project aims to produce three million litres of milk in the first year, with projections of four to five million litres in the subsequent year and a long-term goal of reaching 12 million litres annually within five years.
On November 1 of the previous year, 1,000 dairy cows of the same breed from Victoria Port, Australia arrived at Pasir Gudang Port, marking the beginning of JDV's large-scale dairy industry development.