Economic Importance of Camel: Unique Alternative under
Crisis
S. Ahmad*, M. Yaqoob, N. Hashmi1, S. Ahmad2,
M. A. Zaman3 and
M. Tariq
Department of Livestock Management, University of
Agriculture, Faisalabad; 1Department of Statistics,
Government College University, Faisalabad; 2NWFP
Agriculture University, Peshawar; 3Department
of Parasitology, College of Veterinary and Animal Science, Jhang,
Pakistan
*Corresponding author: sibtain_hmd@yahoo.com
Abstract
Increasing human population of the world has
arisen the issue of food security. In order to combat with this issue, there is
need to explore a new world of resources. Camel can serve the best useful
addition to the food supply chain in terms of milk, meat and other products.
Dromedary camel is found in Pakistan
and its population is highest in Baluchistan
(41%). In Pakistan,
there are 21 breeds of camel. The main two types are riverine and mountainous.
Camels are of vital socio-economic importance in the country as people use it
for drawing water from wells, ploughing and leveling land, working mini-mills
for oil extraction, grinding wheat, corn and other grains and for crushing
sugarcane, and pulling carts for the transportation of goods as well as people.
Well-fed camel can yield 10-15L milk per day. Camel milk can also be used for
making yogurt, kurth, butter, ghee, rabbri and khoa. Meat, hides and hair are
useful by-products of camel. Camel farming will be beneficial for farmers when
proper marketing infrastructure is established. Also, standard procedures for
the classification and identification of camel breeds for different purposes
need more attention. Camel ranching schemes and collaborative research approach
are need of the hour. These measures can lead us to utilize this novel animal as
a natural resource for coping food demand of ever increasing population.
Key words:
Economic importance,
Food security,
Marketing, camel, Production systems