By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, June 29: Sarawak’s first-ever cheese processing plant is expected to begin operations as early as August or September this year, marking a significant milestone in the State’s food processing and dairy industry.
According to Sarawak Deputy Minister for Food Industry, Commodity, and Regional Development Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail, the final component still awaited is the arrival of the cheese processing machinery, as reported by TVS.
“The cheese processing facility, which uses buffalo milk and is located at the Meragang Buffalo Breeding Station (in Lawas), has been fully completed.
“It will produce mozzarella cheese and begin operations once the machines arrive, either in August or September,” he said during the officiation of the Second Night of Performances and Cultural Showcase held in conjunction with the 2025 Babulang Festival and Buffalo Race in Limbang last night (June 28).
However, Dr Abdul Rahman highlighted that low milk yield remains a key challenge, as local swamp buffaloes produce limited amounts of milk.
“To address this, we are shifting to the high-milk-yielding Murrah buffalo breed. Its name is Murrah, not murah (cheap),” he quipped.
He revealed that 245 Murrah buffaloes have already been placed at the Meragang station, with plans to increase the number to 800 by the end of the year.
Additionally, his ministry is implementing a programme to replace local swamp buffaloes with Murrah buffaloes among farmers in Limbang and Lawas to boost milk production and productivity.
“This initiative is expected to enhance farmers’ incomes through the sale of milk, meat, and by-products such as fertiliser,” he said. — DayakDaily
