Camels and dromedaries: a rapidly changing sector supported by dynamic research

Representing 0.4% of herbivorous livestock, 0.2% of milk and 0.4% of meat produced, camel farming still plays a marginal role at the global level. Yet the ability of these animals to adapt to arid environments and their numerous functions make them valuable allies in the current context of climate change and desertification. Indeed, the camel farming system is undergoing rapid change, associated products are diversifying and entering the market, and there is growing interest in the capacity of these animals to enhance desert ecosystems. Moreover, biomedical research is turning its attention to the therapeutic properties of some of these products.

Intensifying farming and diversifying products

Camel farming systems are evolving. In Saudi Arabia, for example, urbanisation is forcing the Bedouin to settle on the outskirts of cities and to intensify their production in order to offer products that are better suited to the needs of urban populations. This trend is observed in all desert regions, where urban growth and changing diets are accelerating the commercialisation of camel products. To meet this demand, the number of periurban dairy farms is increasing and mini-dairies are being set up; this type of farming, which is traditionally hyperextensive, is thus becoming more intensive.

The result is radical changes in the management of this species: increasing use of artificial insemination, or even of embryo transfer, shorter calving intervals, above ground feeding, highly concentrated feed, machine milking, early weaning, higher culling rates, and breeding of the best milk producers.

Research is being conducted to accompany this change. It includes, for example, using biotechnology to improve the reproductive performances of this species, which has a slow, relatively unproductive cycle. It also involves precisely analysing the nutritional requirements of camels, adapting them to machine milking, improving their potential milk yield, and using genetic markers to breed the best animals.

Selected breeds produce almost four times as much milk

The results speak for themselves. In terms of milk production, for example, selected breeds, such as Al-Majaheem in Saudi Arabia, produce up to 9 000 litres of milk per year, compared to around 2 500 litres for non-selected camels. Production systems have also been modernised, with the installation of model dairy farms combining machine milking, sustainable diets, intensive management of reproduction, and breeding of the best milk producers.

More is now known about the quality of the milk produced, which is a decisive factor in its commercialisation. Researchers are focusing not only on its health benefits, but also on its composition, in particular its protein content, and on its detoxifying effects, which are due, as shown by a recent study, to strains of lactic acid bacteria capable of absorbing heavy metals.

High-quality meat complying with strict health standards

Urban demand for camel meat is also on the rise. Scientists are therefore attempting to speed up the growth of this species using feedlots, as is the case in the oasis areas of Tunisia. They are also studying the quality of this meat, its overall composition and its specific components, such as vitamin D. In addition, they are investigating camel meat processing systems in order to offer more attractive products to consumers, such as camel burgers.

Health regulations are also a concern, with the normalisation of slaughtering and meat cutting rules. Techniques for inspecting slaughterhouses and classifying carcasses are rapidly evolving. These changes are having a significant impact on the sector, and regional trade, especially around the Red Sea, is gradually being regulated.

Camels, desertification and climate change

In addition to the products they provide, camels play a key role in the enhancement of desert ecosystems. Research shows that they make rational use of the resources available and that, through the diversification of their functions, especially ploughing, harrowing and sowing, they help to maintain rural activity in these regions.

Camels also keep pace with the aridification of the region and their geographical distribution is currently expanding, as is their social distribution, since they are now used by populations that have no camel-farming tradition. This situation forces them to confront a wider range of habitats with more unstable climates, and seems to be contributing to new pathologies.

Promising molecules for medical research

The ability of camels to adapt to desert conditions depends on a number of anatomical, physiological and behavioural mechanisms, which researchers have been studying for some years now. This research has led to the identification of certain molecules that may be of use in biomedicine.

For example, the immunoglobulins found in camelids are proving particularly interesting in the production of the recombinant antibodies needed for the diagnosis and treatment of certain types of cancer. The lactoferrin in camel milk could also be used for therapeutic purposes. A recent study showed that it has high antibacterial activity, as well as antiviral, antifungal, anti-inflammatory and immunostimulant properties.

A dynamic scientific community

There is no doubt that camels are sparking renewed interest in numerous research fields throughout the world, and the specialist scientific community is mobilising in order to obtain the recognition for their research required by the importance of the issues to be addressed by these species.

In a context of globalisation and climate change, camels have become far more than just the “ships of the desert”.