Potential of camel production and management Practices in Ethiopia: Review

Abstract

The camel is one of the most vital domestic animals species for pastoralist livelihood as much as their blood circulation. The annual camel milk production of Ethiopia in 2018 is estimated to be 176113 tones. Camel produces considerable amount of milk and for long period of time than other milk producing animals under harsh conditions. Meat quality is largely age dependent and as other animals, good meat is from young slaughtered camel. Camel herd sizes per household vary from few heads to several hundreds. The proportion of male to female animals in breeding herd is not equal because of higher number of female camels in the herd as compared to male camels. During the dry season all female camels are shifted to areas with better feed accessibility but male camels are usually reared around settlement area. Mostly male camels are used for transportation of commodities. Breeding management comprises of selection of best animals for next generation and/or culling of the worst animals from the herd, and controlled breeding. Camels start breeding at the end of the dry season and the beginning of rainy season and continue thought the season. Camel can be categorized under seasonal breeding animal species. Prevalence of disease in pastoral areas of Ethiopia is principal constraint of the pastoralist in their camel production. There are inadequate researches and reports have been conducted on potential of camel production and management system in the country. Therefore, this review paper is going to present potential of camel production and management practices in Ethiopia.

Characterization of Camel Production and Marketing System in Southern Zone of Tigray Region

“…This parasitism investigation was confirmed with the finding of Faye et al [9] in Sudan and Simenew et al [14] in Afar region. Additionally, agree with the finding of Babege et al [3] the prevalence of disease was the main constraints of camel production and productivity in pastoral areas of the country. Toxic plants and parasitic diseases of the current finding was in line with result of Woldearegay et al [18] reported that Infectious diseases, toxic plants and parasitic diseases were the major diseases of camel in Raya-Azebo district of Tigray region.…”

“…It is one of the most important domestic animal species for pastoralists' survival and sereve them as their blood circulation. Under difficult conditions, they produce a significant volume of milk for a longer period of time than other milk-producing animals [3]. In the past few years, with drought and the onset of desertification, most of our livestock have suffered considerably.…”

“…Management practice in Ethiopia is basically traditional and the pastoralist under this management only practiced an extensive range of camel production system and there is no improved forage production for meat, milk and draft purpose [20]. Camel production is strongly linked to the availability and quality of feed resources at all times of the year [3].…”

Diagnosis of Actors and Relational Flows of Camel Meat Value Chain in the Western South of Tunisia

“…Also, as the camel is considered a resilient animal that can adapt to challenging environmental conditions, it maintains healthy products in complex territories (Arbi and Faye, 2019). In the dryland areas, where the management practices are traditional (Babege et al, 2021), camel rearing feeding is based on grazing pastoral resources, which involves sustainable products and thus a livelihood option for the population (Alemnesh et al, 2020;Kena, 2022). Regarding products, camel breeding is known for health products.…”