Malaysia’s self-sufficiency level for fresh milk currently stands at 61 per cent. Through the 2017 National Dairy Industry Development Programme, the government aims to increase the SSL to 100 per cent in five years time.
UPM vice-chancellor Professor Datuk Dr Aini Ideris said the collaboration has helped immensely in developing the park, which included the construction and restoration of the farm infrastructure, maintaining UPM pastoral plots and acquiring animal feed at a lower price. “UPM’s name will be printed on each dairy product produced by the ICoE project, increasing the varsity’s visibility and brand in the national food industry,” said Aini.
“Through this package, visitors can experience the dairy farm and its various agrotourism elements as well as enjoy dairy and meat-based food products,” she added. The centre will also address issues like the high cost of imported animal feed for livestock. “We cannot continue to rely on imported animal feed which is unsustainable in terms of the economy and food security. Efforts have been mobilised by universities and research institutes to resolve this issue but the public sector needs to work with the private sector to have a more efficient sharing of financial resources, expertise and technology transfer,” said Aini.