KOTA BHARU (Oct 14): The East Coast Economic Region Development Council (ECERDC) signed a cooperation agreement with the Kelantan government on Monday, to strengthen the dairy goat industry in the state.

Menteri Besar Datuk Mohd Nassuruddin Daud said Kelantan has great potential in the agricultural sector, and the cooperation with the ECERDC to develop the goat milk collection centre (GMCC) is a strategic step in realising that potential.

He said that the GMCC would not only create economic opportunities for local farmers, but also position Kelantan as a key player in Malaysia’s halal and dairy sectors.

“We are committed to working with the ECERDC to ensure the success of this project, and hope for more joint efforts in the future that will benefit the people of Kelantan,” he said in a statement on Monday.

ECERDC chief executive officer Datuk Baidzawi Che Mat said the development of the GMCC is a significant achievement for the livestock sector in Kelantan.

Baidzawi said the main operator is expected to be appointed by the state government in January 2025, with the facility scheduled for completion by February 2025.

“This collaboration with the state government modernises the goat milk industry, improves supply chain efficiency, and strengthens Kelantan’s position as a competitive industry player in the national dairy market,” he said in the same statement.

Meanwhile, the ECERDC said the collaboration focuses on the development of GMCC in Ketereh and Pasir Puteh, marking a significant milestone in advancing the agricultural sector in the region, and meeting the growing market demand.

It added that the GMCC will serve as the main goat milk collection hub, ensuring better quality control, more efficient processing and distribution channels, and enhancing market competitiveness.

“During the Kelantan ECERDC Implementation and Coordination Committee Meeting on Monday, the cooperation agreement was signed, marking the next phase of the ECERDC’s efforts to strengthen the agro-based industry in Kelantan, specifically in the livestock sector.

“GMCC is expected to collect up to 730,000 litres of fresh goat milk by 2029. This production will not only meet the rising local and international market demand, but also act as a catalyst for the growth of the dairy goat sector in Kelantan,” the statement said.

It said the increased production capacity of the GMCC is expected to boost the local agricultural economy by providing steady income opportunities for goat farmers, improving supply chain efficiency, and creating new business opportunities within the halal and dairy industries.

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