KUALA LUMPUR: In a move to adopt better farming practices, ensure better milk quality and increase milk yields Malaysian dairy farmers and their Dutch counterparts will exchange expertise through the Farmer2Farmer programme.
The programme is part of the Royal Friesland Campina NV’s Dairy Development Programme and is a smart partnership initiative between Dutch Lady Malaysia and the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) Malaysia supported by the Embassy of the Netherlands.
Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Agro-based industry Sim Tze Tzin said the programme would benefit the dairy industry, especially dairy farmers.
“I am proud to say that this Farmer2Farmer programme has managed to tackle many challenges concerning the dairy sectors such as skills, training and knowledge.
“This programme has definitely benefited many farmers who have been participating in the past six years,” he said at the launch of the 2019 programme, here, today.
Sim said the country was only producing 58.25 per cent of its fresh milk supply.
“If we are considering other dairy products the percentage is even lower, which means Malaysia has a lot of work to do and a long way to go”.
He said the government wanted to increase the nation’s production of dairy products, especially fresh milk.
“We have a target of reaching a self-sustainability level of 100 per cent for fresh milk production, which is about 65 million litres per year by 2024.
“We are engaging with more and more local farmers as well as companies to help us increase our milk production.
“The need for fresh milk is increasing and the demand for dairy products is also on the rise.”
Sim said this would also create job opportunities for the dairy farming community.
Netherlands ambassador to Malaysia Karin Mössenlechner, who was present at the launch, said the programme was an important component in strengthening cooperation and relations between the two nations.
“Malaysia and the Netherlands share many similarities and interests as it is, but there is one area we can further enhance our cooperation and that is in the field of agriculture and dairy production and I know the Malaysian government is very much trying to enhance the agriculture production here and investing in it as well.
“We want to share our experience, especially in the field of food production with many deserving countries in the world because we think it is important to make sure all of us have sufficient, safe and sustainably produced food for the next generation,” he said.
“One of the best ways to share knowledge, technology and best practices is through projects like this Farmer2Farmer programme.”
Mössenlechner said the Farmer2Farmer programme would help to enhance the productivity and the production methods of farms here in Malaysia.
“This programme is an excellent example of how two countries can work towards a sustainable future together and to also work for the betterment of both of our countries”.