50. The Camels in Balochistan: Status, farming practices and camel centered measures
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Abstract
Abstract
This study is based on primary and secondary data encompassing status of camels and camel farmers, prevailing farming practices and camel centered measures in Balochistan, Pakistan. The key purpose is to give a glimpse to the policy makers about this neglected species that is bestowed with unearthed potentials. The province Balochistan has the lion’s share (41%) of total camel population of Pakistan. The documented breeds in this region are seven out of total twenty breeds in Pakistan. The study explains that the camel famers are illiterate and living ultra low level life standards. The camel farming is on traditional pattern. Grazing has poor nutritive value resulting in delayed growth, puberty age, conception rate, increased calving interval and low milk yield. Milk marketing is not favored coupled with lack of market knowledge for selling live camels. The academic and administrative focus on camel’s research and development is rare at all levels. It is high time to work on camel, camel farmer and camel farming with multi-pronged strategy. Educating camel farmers in field schools and adoption of scientific farming procedures, milk and meat marketing, value addition of milk and dairy products are the ways to move forward.
Keywords: Balochistan; Camel; Farming; Poverty; Trends