Some projects are planned for years, and others are carried out for a lifetime. This week in Sharjah, HH Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi officially inaugurated the Mleiha Dairy Factory. He turned a 65-year-old personal vision into one of the UAE’s most ambitious food security landmarks. The facility, spanning 20,000 square metres, produces around 600 tonnes of dairy.
Sharjah Ruler Sheikh Sultan Realises 65-Year Dream With Mleiha Dairy Launch
During the inauguration, the Ruler of Sharjah received a certificate from Guinness World Records. Mleiha Dairy Farm has been officially recognised as the world’s largest A2A2 cattle farm. Located in the Mleiha region, the farm is now home to more than 6,400 cows of the rare A2A2 breed.
These cows produce milk known for its digestibility and health benefits. The farm has controlled breeding, natural feed, and strict welfare standards.
A Dream Carried Across Generations
In his address, Sheikh Sultan spoke candidly, as mentioned in a report by Gulf Today. This project, he said, had lived with him for 65 years. What made the moment special was not just completion, but continuity. He pointed to the fourth generation of Sharjah’s youth and their role being central to Sharjah’s growing network of farms, factories, and food systems built to last.
The future is already being shaped through specialised programmes at the University of Al Dhaidl. It offers degrees in agriculture, veterinary medicine, and desert sciences.
Returning To The Desert, Not Resisting It
Sheikh Sultan addressed how desert land isn’t a limitation but actually a resource.
From poultry and cattle to vegetables grown from original seeds, Sharjah’s food strategy focuses on purity. He highlighted how human interference, chemicals, and altered breeds often weaken food quality compared to natural systems described in the Holy Quran.
Projects like olive farming on Jebel Deem, free-range poultry through Flybirds, and seed partnerships with German farms are all based on the same rule.
Inside Mleiha’s High-Tech Heart
The factory itself blends tradition with precision. During his tour, Sheikh Sultan reviewed processing lines capable of producing up to 4,500 units per hour of milk, yoghurt, and labneh. The circular milking parlour handles 500 cows per hour, producing nearly 100,000 litres daily.
Organic feed production reaches 50 tonnes per hour. Packaging is eco-friendly, and the systems falls automated and monitored process and follow sustainability in their workflow regularly.
Also Read: Mleiha National Park To Host “New Year Under the Stars” With Stargazing And More
Food Security With A Wider Impact
Much of this work sits under the Sharjah Agricultural and Livestock Production Foundation, Iktifa. This leads to recycling, sustainable packaging, and waste reduction initiatives in Sharjah.
Sheikh Sultan also met local hospitality entrepreneurs using Iktifa products, reinforcing his long-standing focus on empowering national businesses.
Cover Image Courtesy: HH Sheikh Dr. Sultan/X
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