Endau-Mersing Fish Processing Park (EMFPP) and Chili Fertigation project in Segamat will also commence operation
ISKANDAR PUTERI, 6 APRIL 2023: The East Coast Economic Region Development Council’s (ECERDC) second commercial scale dairy project remains on track with the appointment of Kulim (Malaysia) Berhad, A2 Fresh Holdings Sdn. Bhd. and Jemaluang Dairy Valley Sdn. Bhd. (JDVSB) to be the Anchor Group for Jemaluang Dairy Valley (JDV) project.
An exchange of agreements ceremony held post ECER Implementation and Coordination Committee (ICC) Johor meeting today between the Johor State Government, State Secretary Johor Incorporated (SSI), ECERDC and the Anchor Group formalizes the appointment of the Anchor Group to invest, manage, operate JDV and kickstarts the next phase of ECER Dairy Valley initiative to increase the national milk production which will contribute towards strengthening the nation’s food security.
JDV is expected to produce 5.4 million litres of fresh milk annually and increase the national fresh milk production by 10 per cent in three years of its operation, which will reduce the country’s dependence on imported fresh milk. The construction of JDV is expected to be completed by July 2024 and the appointment will allow the Anchor Group to work closely with ECERDC to ensure a smooth transition and operations to meet the future demands.
“Our vision for Maju Johor 2030 is for Johor to be a developed state not only in terms of economy and infrastructure, but holistically across all sectors. The Johor State Government is proud to support the development of JDV project which is in line with the State’s Agrofood Policy that will contribute significantly towards its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) target of RM260 billion by 2030.” said Johor Menteri Besar YAB Datuk Onn Hafiz bin Ghazi after witnessing the exchange of agreements.
Johor State Secretary YB Tan Sri Dato’ Dr. Haji Azmi bin Rohani represented the Johor State Government, SSI was represented by Johor Deputy State Secretary (Development), YB Dato’ Haji Mohammed Ridha bin Dato’ Haji Abd. Kadir, ECERDC by its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), YBhg. Dato’ Baidzawi Che Mat, Kulim (Malaysia) Berhad by its Director Mohd Faris Adli Shukery, A2 Fresh Holdings Sdn. Bhd. by its CEO Johan Nasir Yeo while Jemaluang Dairy Valley Sdn. Bhd. was represented by its CEO Muhammad Khairi Ramli at the exchange of agreements ceremony.
The event was witnessed by Johor Menteri Besar YAB Datuk Onn Hafiz bin Ghazi and YB Datuk Zahari bin Sarip, State Agriculture, Agro-based Industry and Rural Development Committee Chairman. Also present at the ceremony were ICC Johor members which include, YB Dato’ Haji Ashari bin Haji Kasnan, Director of Lands and Mines Johor, TPr. Saidin bin Lateh, Director of Pengarah PLANMalaysia @ Johor as well as representatives from the Anchor Group.
In the same event, YAB Menteri Besar Johor also witnessed the exchange of agreement between ECERDC, Segamat District Office and Grasicili Farm Sdn. Bhd. to employ the hardcore poor in Segamat in chili fertigation.
“In keeping with the Government’s call for the agriculture sector to become one of the economic pillars and Johor state government’s initiative under its Agrofood Policy, ECERDC is stepping up our implementation of agrofood@ECER to ensure that ECER can contribute significantly towards strengthening of the nation’s food security and the appointment of the Anchor Group for JDV today is a significant milestone for us. At the same time our Human Capital Development programmes will also feature an agriculture component in line with Inisiatif Usahawan Tani (INTAN) and we will be extending the chili fertigation programme to Segamat, which recently became a part of ECER,” said YBhg. Dato’ Baidzawi Che Mat, CEO of ECERDC.
The Endau-Mersing Fish Processing Park (EMFPP), another component of ECERDC’s agrofood@ECER in the area of fisheries development will allow local players to participate in the downstream activities in collaboration with the Malaysian Fisheries Development Authority (LKIM). EMFPP which will be handed over by ECERDC to LKIM is expected to create 90 new job opportunities.
The ICC members were also briefed on ECERDC efforts to promote and spur local economy through its various ‘Rainforest to Reef’ tourism projects such as the recently completed KampungStay@Teluk Buih which is expected to provide an immersive experience in a village setting for tourists which will be handed over to Majlis Daerah Mersing for commencement of operation and the ongoing PETA Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC). The RDC will be a One- Stop-Center for tourists and visitors to Endau-Rompin Johor National Park.