Key takeaways
- Mleiha Dairy Factory was inaugurated in Sharjah with a production capacity of approximately 600 tonnes.
- Mleiha Dairy Farm received a Guinness World Record as the world’s largest A2A2 cattle farm.
- The project reflects Sharjah’s long-term focus on food security, health, and self-sufficiency.
- Advanced processing, digital monitoring, and animal welfare standards were highlighted.
- Officials stressed prioritising public health and ethical food production over profit.
Mleiha Dairy Factory officially inaugurated in Sharjah
His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, inaugurated the Mleiha Dairy Factory, a 20,000-square-metre facility with a production capacity of approximately 600 tonnes. The inauguration marks a major milestone in Sharjah’s agricultural and food production initiatives.
Upon arrival, the Ruler of Sharjah was received by senior members of the Sharjah leadership and attended by federal ministers, senior officials, heads of government entities, and representatives of partner organisations.
Guinness World Record for A2A2 cattle farm
During the inauguration, the Ruler of Sharjah received a Guinness World Record certificate recognising Mleiha Dairy Farm as the world’s largest A2A2 cattle farm. The farm, located in the Mleiha region, houses more than 6,400 cows of the rare A2A2 breed.
The cows are raised and fed naturally, producing milk known for its health benefits, with strict standards applied to ensure purity and quality across the operation.
Health, food security, and long-term vision
In his address, the Ruler of Sharjah expressed his satisfaction at the completion of the Mleiha Dairy Farm and Factory project, describing it as a vision he had carried for 65 years. He emphasised that the initiative is rooted in serving the community and improving public health, rather than pursuing profit.
He highlighted Sharjah’s broader food security strategy, which includes the establishment of farms and processing facilities, alongside academic programmes in agriculture, veterinary medicine, and desert sciences to prepare future professionals for these initiatives.
Advanced operations at Mleiha Dairy Factory
The Ruler of Sharjah toured the Mleiha Dairy Factory, including the visitors’ centre, processing areas, central control room, and packaging lines for fresh milk, yoghurt, and labneh, with capacities of up to 4,500 units per hour. Eco-friendly packaging compliant with international standards was also showcased.
He observed the circular milking parlour with 80 platforms, capable of milking 500 cows per hour and producing approximately 100,000 litres daily. He also reviewed silage harvesting and packaging facilities producing 50 tonnes of organic feed per hour, along with modern cattle pens designed to ensure animal well-being, hygiene, and veterinary care.
Broader agricultural initiatives and philosophy
The ceremony included presentations outlining Sharjah’s wider agricultural projects, including wheat production under the “Saba Sanabel” name, poultry farming, olive cultivation, honey production, and vegetable farming using original plant varieties. Digital monitoring systems for irrigation and humidity management were highlighted as part of precise agricultural practices.
Dr. Khalifa Musbeh Al Tunaiji, Chairman of the Department of Agriculture and Livestock and CEO of Iktifa, stated that these projects prioritise ethical food practices and human dignity, reinforcing the philosophy that food security and health are central to Sharjah’s development strategy.
The event concluded with the Ruler of Sharjah honouring federal and local entities and private sector partners for their cooperation, reaffirming the role of the Mleiha Dairy Factory in supporting regional food security and sustainable agricultural development.
