By Wan Muhammad Aslah Wan Razali
MERSING, June 7: In the rolling pastures of Jemaluang in Johor, Australian-bred dairy cows are powering Malaysia’s push to strengthen its fresh milk industry, cut reliance on imports, and build a new rural economy around dairy farming.
Jemaluang Dairy Valley (JDV), spanning 275 hectares, is designed as an integrated dairy hub with a herd capacity of 4,000 cows and an annual output of 10 million litres by its third year. The project, launched less than a year ago, is a joint venture between A2 Fresh Holdings Sdn Bhd and Kulim (Malaysia) Berhad, a Johor state-linked company under JCorp.
Featured during a media visit organised by the Australian High Commission, JDV highlights how Australian livestock and expertise are shaping Malaysia’s food security agenda.
JDV chief executive officer Qasem Alhasan said the farm’s mission goes beyond milk production.
“Our dream is to build a lasting legacy – a value chain that spans farming, processing, feed production, farmer support, training and agro-tourism,” he told Bernama.
JDV currently houses 1,900 cows, including 1,000 imported from Australia. Another 500 are due later this year. Using breeding technology such as sexed semen, JDV aims to expand its herd with calves born locally and better adapted to Malaysia’s climate.
Malaysia produces about 42 million litres of fresh milk annually. JDV alone targets five million litres this year, seven million next year, and 10 million by year three – positioning itself as a major contributor, especially in the premium A2-A2 milk segment.
All JDV cows are DNA-tested A2-A2 producers, yielding milk that is easier to digest and closer to mother’s milk. Currently imported and sold at premium prices, JDV plans to make A2-A2 milk affordable for local consumers.
A downstream factory, now under construction, will begin operations next year, enabling JDV to supply processed milk directly to the market.
JDV also aims to support smallholders by supplying feed and buying back milk through a collection centre. Plans include a Johor ruminant feed hub, training centre and satellite farming programme to benefit local farmers and agro-preneurs.
The project already employs 45 local staff and is introducing modern dairy technology – from rotary milking systems and smart herd management to zero-waste manure recycling – reshaping perceptions of dairy work.
JDV’s vision extends to agro-tourism, beginning with school visits, calf interactions, camping, ATV rides and a mini zoo, before opening to the wider public.
For Johor, JDV represents more than a farm – it is a rural economic catalyst linking food security, technology, jobs, farmer training and tourism. For Malaysia, it shows how Australian cows, adapted to local conditions, can help produce more fresh milk on home soil.