A review of dairy development and crossbreeding programmes in Malaysia since 1953 is undertaken, based on the relevant literature and the writer`s experience. The need for higher domestic milk production and the role of crossbreeding in the realization of this objective is explained. A retrospective evaluation is made of the past crossbreeding programmes and of the decision to use temperate dairy breeds for the purpose. Current dairy development under the `New Economic Policy` of the Malaysian government and the major problems connected with the importation of high-milk producing animals are discussed. To overcome existing constraints, future strategies for crossbreeding and dairy development, based on long-term objectives, are proposed. It is concluded that crossbreeding will only be useful if the introduction of high yielding dairy animals is combined with an improvement of existing husbandry systems. |