BY TVS
LIMBANG: Sarawak’s dream of owning its very own cheese processing facility is set to become a reality, with operations expected to begin by August or September this year.
Deputy Minister of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Sarawak (Food Industry) Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail said the final stage is now pending the arrival of the cheese-processing machinery.
“The mozzarella cheese processing plant, based on buffalo milk, located at the Meragang Buffalo Breeding Station is now fully completed.
“It is expected to start operating as soon as the machinery arrives, likely in August or September,” he was quoted as saying in a TVS report during the Night of Performances and Cultural Showcase in conjunction with the 2025 Babulang Festival and Buffalo Race held here recently.
According to Dr Abdul Rahman, one of the main challenges is the low milk yield from local swamp buffaloes.
“To overcome this, we are switching to high-yielding dairy buffaloes, specifically the Murrah breed. Just to clarify – it’s Murrah, not ‘murah’ (cheap),” he said.
So far, a total of 245 Murrah buffaloes have been placed at the Meragang Buffalo Breeding Station, and the number is expected to grow to 800 by the end of the year.
He added that the ministry is also implementing a replacement scheme to help local breeders in Limbang and Lawas transition from swamp buffaloes to Murrah buffaloes, aimed at increasing milk yield and productivity.
“This initiative has the potential to raise breeders’ income through the sale of milk, meat and by-products such as organic fertiliser,” he explained.
