Promotion of camel production and marketing through application of sustainability and traceability programs for re-building Sudan, Prof. Ibtisam El Zubeir

Professor Ibtisam E. M. El Zubeir
Institute for Studies and Promotion of Animal Exports
Department of Dairy Production, Faculty of Animal Production
University of Khartoum
Khartoum
Sudan

Purpose: This chapter aimed to describe some of the; pre-war and the current war; obstacles and challenges facing camel; one-humped camel (Camelus dromedarius) population, production and marketing. Some of strategic plans and recommendations to rebuild and restore this valuable animal for Sudan will also be stated. This contribution; if seriously tackle will help all stakeholders dealing with camel production and marketing to address most of the constraints and limitations they faced, which will result in efficient export promotion and thus increasing the income for the country. Moreover some of the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals will be achieved.

Design and Approach: The approach to be used during preparing this article will depends on our own previous fields visits to camel herders, our published scientific output on camels, some of the relevant literature reviews and  incorporation of some national and international official data.

Findings: Since ancient history, camels have survived and adapted to the harsh environment, and they are highly adaptability to other production systems. In Sudan, most camel communities comprise a variety of movement patterns that range from contentious mobility to short-distance movement. Sudan, is the second richest country in owning camels worldwide. However a shift was recorded to the third position during 2019-2025. The camel showed important socio-economical roles among the traditional herders. Camel uses include milk, meat, wool and hide production, in addition to race, traction and tourism. However, camel products processing and their value chain are still limited.

Originality/Value: The proposed project will be based on implementing some intermediate technology interventions to address the constraints faced by camel herders. The safe preservation methods for camel milk will increase the possibility of commercialization of the products to urban consumers. Meanwhile, animal identification using the efficient and the recent methods approved for animals and products traceability will conserve the genetic resourses, upgrade products (meat, milk and leather) safety and quality and hence the national herds identity. The regulatory standards, when promoted by the well monitoring programs will provide good opportunities for national and international trade of camels and its valuable products. Also, the comprehensive social and developmental work to be further conducted among some target camel owners will improve the current attitudes and practices of the camel herding communities in the country.

Practical Implications: The multi-disciplinary participatory and collaborative research and develpmental project that are proposed in this article, will help all the stakholders throughout camel production and marketing chain via compacting with climate change, securing the food (meat and milk) and to promote the lifestyle among the camel producers and traders. Meanwhile, at national levels the benefits will include increasing and promoting exports (live animals and products), upgrade the safety and quality of the camel products and hence, new non-traditional and international markets; via identification, registration and traceability of Sudan camel’s and other livestock. The intermediate technology interventions and application of proper animal identification and traceability will conserve and restore the national herd’s identity and thus the national economic growth.

Keywords: Camelus Dromedarius, Sudan, Nomads, Production Systems, Constraints, Processing, Interventions, Traceability, Export.