Sharjah Ruler inaugurated the Mleiha Dairy Farm and received Guinness World Record recognition for the world’s largest A2A2 cattle farm, underscoring Sharjah’s commitment to food security and health.
December 2025: His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, recently inaugurated the Mleiha Dairy Farm Factory, a 20,000-square-metre facility with a production capacity of approximately 600 tonnes.
The Ruler was welcomed by His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Salem bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah; His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah; Sheikh Dr Salem bin Abdulrahman Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Ruler’s Office; and Sheikh Engineer Mohammed bin Abdullah bin Majid Al Qasimi, Director of the Department of Municipal Affairs.
Also in attendance were Abdulrahman bin Mohammed Al Owais, Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs; Dr Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology; Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism; Ohood bint Khalfan Al Roumi, Minister of State for Government Development and the Future; along with senior officials, heads of government entities, and representatives of partner organisations.
In his address, the Ruler of Sharjah expressed his satisfaction with the completion of the Mleiha Dairy Farm and Factory project, underscoring its high-quality standards and strict adherence to health and safety requirements. His Highness described the project as a dream spanning 65 years, shaped by a lifelong commitment to serving the community.
Reflecting on the continuity of vision across generations, His Highness noted that while the dream began three generations ago, it has been realised by the fourth generation, supported by educated and capable youth who embody responsibility, values, and dedication to Sharjah’s development.
His Highness reviewed the emirate’s advancing food security initiatives, highlighting the rapid expansion of farms and food-processing facilities. He also pointed to specialised academic programmes at the University of Al Dhaid, including the Colleges of Agriculture, Veterinary Medicine, and Desert Sciences, which aim to prepare skilled professionals to sustain these projects.
The Ruler of Sharjah emphasised the importance of returning to foundational principles in development, particularly by viewing the desert as a source of essential food production, including poultry, livestock, and crops grown from original seed varieties. He cautioned against excessive human intervention in plant and animal breeding and chemical processing, noting their often harmful effects compared to natural methods referenced in the Holy Quran.
At Mleiha Dairy Farm, the cows belong to the rare A2A2 breed, producing milk known for its 20 health benefits. The animals are raised in natural conditions and fed organic feed to ensure product purity and quality.
Following the speech, His Highness officially inaugurated the Mleiha Dairy Farm Factory by cutting the ceremonial ribbon and activating operations. He toured the Visitors Centre, where he was briefed on the factory’s layout, advanced equipment, and quality assurance systems.
His Highness visited the processing area, central control room, and packaging lines for fresh milk, yoghurt, and labneh, which have capacities of up to 4,500 units per hour. The factory uses new eco-friendly packaging that meets international standards, reflecting its commitment to sustainability.
At the circular milking parlour, the Ruler of Sharjah observed the milking process across 80 platforms capable of handling 500 cows per hour and producing approximately 100,000 litres of milk daily. He also toured silage harvesting and packaging facilities producing 50 tonnes of organic feed per hour and inspected modern cattle pens designed to ensure animal welfare, veterinary care, and hygiene. Future expansion plans supporting regional food security and production efficiency were also outlined.
The ceremony featured visual presentations tracing Mleiha’s transformation from a long-held vision into a fully operational dairy complex, alongside an overview of the Sharjah Agricultural and Livestock Production Foundation (Iktifa)’s food security and health initiatives.
The Ruler of Sharjah and attendees viewed a final presentation illustrating how desert land at Mleiha was transformed into productive farms, factories, and a growing community supported by smart livestock care systems, automated monitoring, and solar-powered irrigation.
The ceremony concluded with His Highness honouring federal and local entities, as well as private sector partners, for their cooperation and contributions. He extended his best wishes for their continued success in serving the UAE and society.
At the conclusion, the Ruler of Sharjah received the Guinness World Record certificate recognising Mleiha Dairy Farm as the world’s largest A2A2 cow farm, home to more than 6,400 cows, along with a commemorative shield from Danish Holsteins for efforts to preserve rare cattle breeds worldwide.
Photo Courtesy: WAM
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