Call for rearing camels to strengthen food supply chain

Experts say camels can be useful in terms of milk, meat and other products

RAWALPINDI:

Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi Vice-Chancellor Dr Qamar-uz-Zaman said on Friday that new resources were needed to be explored to supplement the food supply chain and combat the issue of food security.

“Camels were amazing species along with extraordinary resilience in changing environments because they could be a useful addition to the food supply chain in terms of milk, meat and other products,” he said while speaking at a two-day virtual international camel conference titled “Role of Camel in Food Security under Climate Change Context” which concluded on Friday. Founding President Camel Association of Pakistan, Dr M Younas was the chief guest at the event.

“Camel milk and meat are superior in quality compared to cow milk because it has a high protein content that has inhibitory properties against bacteria,” said Dr Younas.

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While appreciating the efforts to create awareness about the importance of camels, he said that it is a matter of concern that despite having high breed camels in Pakistan, we have not been able to draw people’s attention to its farming and its usage for milk and meat.

He called to conduct the national level surveys to formulate the data-driven planning where the industry would be attracted and its commercial viability. He also assured the support of PMAS-AAUR for promoting camel use.

Some others emphasised exploring the potential of this creature under the climate change circumstances as it can sustain hot, harsh and hostile waether easily without compromising on its productive capabilities.

Later, camel riding was also organised for the participants to create awareness about camel production.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 2^nd, 2021.