Camels for Meat and Milk Production in Sub-Sahara Africa

This review is of literature relevant to meat and milk production from the dromedary, or one-humped, camel. Recommendations are for further research and potential use by ranchers and pastoralist tribes in Sub-Sahara Africa. The anatomical, physiological, and behavioral advantages of camels for meat and milk production are summarized and discussed. Milk yields and carcass information for dromedary camels are reported and summarized. Research efforts by institutions involved in planning livestock development projects in Sub-Sahara Africa, where arid or semiarid conditions prevail, should include the dromedary camel. Research studies should provide basic information on the feeding, breeding, health care, and economics of the camel and of multi-species herd systems that include camels. The use of the dromedary camel as food and revenue should permit the pastoralist and rancher in arid Africa to reduce their dependence on higher risk livestock enterprises.