Lawas to add value to local dairy industry via mozzarella cheese production by 2024

Dr Rundi (back row, second left) witnessing the signing ceremony between DVS Sarawak and Meragang Green Valley Dairy Company in Lawas on Tuesday (Oct 25, 2022).

KUCHING, Oct 27: Lawas will be a producer of mozzarella cheese made from high-quality buffalo milk by 2024.

According to Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas), Minister for Food Industry, Commodity, and Regional Development (M-FICORD) Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom, is confident that the added value of the buffalo livestock will contribute to Sarawak’s food industry sector growth.

In fact, it offers buffalo farmers in the districts of Limbang and Lawas an indirect source of additional income.

“We hope to see mozzarella cheese on the market soon. We are establishing collaboration through the Department Of Veterinary Services (DVS) Sarawak in order to boost the ruminant industry,” Dr Rundi said at the Signing Ceremony for the Privatisation of Meragang Lawas Buffalo Station between DVS Sarawak and Green Valley Meragang Dairy Company in Lawas on Tuesday (Oct 25).

He stated that M-FICORD will continue to form joint ventures with a number of other private companies that have expertise and capabilities in transitioning the traditional agriculture sector to modern agriculture.

This will increase the buffalo population in Sarawak from the current 6,000 to 20,000 by 2030.

Also present were M-FICORD (Food Industry) Sarawak deputy minister Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail, M-FICORD (Commodity and Regional Development) Sarawak deputy minister Martin Ben, Ministry of Transport (MOT) Malaysia deputy minister Dato Henry Sum Agong, M-FICORD senior officials, and Green Valley Meragang Dairy Company representatives. — DayakDaily