His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, inaugurated the Mleiha Dairy Factory on Wednesday, a key milestone in the emirate’s food security strategy. The 20,000‑square‑meter facility can produce up to 600 tons of dairy products and is now home to the largest A2A2 breed cow farm in the world, a feat officially recognized by Guinness World Records. With over 6,400 A2A2 cows reared in Mleiha, the project emphasizes health‑focused dairy production and sustainable agriculture.
Sheikh Dr. Sultan described the factory as the realization of a 65‑year‑old vision. “This project has been a vision of mine for 65 years,” he stated, crediting the achievement to generations of community‑building and the capabilities of Sharjah’s educated youth. He highlighted the integration of academic programs in agriculture, veterinary science, and desert studies at Al Dhaid University, which prepares graduates to support food‑security initiatives across the region.
The A2A2 breed is prized for its natural, health‑beneficial milk, which contains 20 distinct advantages. The cows are raised on a fully natural diet under carefully monitored conditions. In addition to the dairy project, Sheikh Dr. Sultan outlined other health‑focused agricultural ventures, including an olive plantation on Jebel Deem with plans for premium oil production, the free‑range “Fili” poultry project, and vegetable farming using original seeds sourced in partnership with German farms.
“We are not after profit; we want health for our people,” emphasized the Ruler. The initiative reflects Sharjah’s holistic approach to food security—prioritizing nutritional quality, sustainability, and local self‑sufficiency over commercial gain. By investing in rare livestock breeds, organic farming, and youth education, Sharjah aims to build a resilient food ecosystem rooted in its desert heritage.
