Social Network Analysis of the Stakeholders Involved in the Dromedary Sector in the Mediterranean Region

Abstract

Marginal arid zones in the south Mediterranean are faced with the dramatic departure of their labor forces through migration. Interest in the capacity of the dromedary species to enhance desert ecosystems and to be a potential lever of economic development of these marginal zones only started to grow in the last two decades. Based on an empirical survey of 179 stakeholders in four Mediterranean countries, we explored the links of the stakeholders in the dromedary sector in two dimensions: horizontal links with peers and vertical links along the value chain and in resource management. Both descriptive statistics and social network analysis highlight the original organization of the dromedary sector around herders and their social and cultural organization at the territorial level. Therefore, even if milk production and processing start to constitute an opportunity for the young generation who do not necessarily have the financial capacity to invest in a large dromedary herd, this change towards milk valorization can only happen if it is linked with the traditional system based on mobility. Using a systemic approach and working toward multiple valorizations of dromedary products instead of only targeting milk productivity should be explored.

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

“…In Tunisia, Salmi et al (2018) stated that 58% of breeders are inheritors and either agro-pastoralists or belong to family livestock households in the governorate of Kebili. Besides, each herd's daily work depends on the breeders' social and cultural organization in their territory (Alary et al, 2021). The studied herds showed that three ecotypes from the Marghrebi breed were identified in the governorate of Kebili, and according to their morphological characteristics, they were ranked by importance to Marzougui, Gueoudi, and Ghiloufi ecotypes (Figure 5).…”

“…6, the butcher could also be the trader. This multiple-hatted actor showed a non-specialization of stakeholders of the camel meat sector and led to confusion of roles (Alary et al, 2021). Hussein et al (2013), in their study on the camel meat value chain in Pakistan, found that butchers have a net margin higher than that of the other stakeholders when they slaughter camels on their own.…”

“…The mind map of the value chain showed that the breeder has, on the one hand, a robust economic relationship of dependency with the trader and, on the other hand, a medium relationship with the butcher, who can acquire camels either from the trader or directly from the livestock market of the region. In another study carried in Tunisia, Alary et al (2021) reported that the traders are often the herders or the fattening specialists. Najjar / Uluslararası Tarım Araştırmalarında Yenilikçi Yaklaşımlar Dergisi / International Journal of Innovative Approaches in Agricultural Research, 2024, Vol.…”

Review on Subclinical Mastitis in Dairy Camels

“…In arid, semiarid, and desert areas, camel (Camelus dromedarius) livestock plays an essential role in the lives of local populations; it provides milk, meat, hair products, transportation, racing, and tourism. Thus, these activities participate in the circular local economy and offer camel herders a fair and stable income (Alary et al, 2021).…”