Journal home page: 7.0 300-350 Maya 7.0 300-500 (Isani and Baloch, 2000) Regarding the marketing of camels and its products, no middlemen‘s exploitation was reported in Thai whereas

32

ISSN 2348 – 0319 International Journal of Innovative and Applied Research (2017)

32-41

Volume 5, Issue 5

Journal home page: http://www.journalijiar.com

RESEARCH ARTICLE

PRODUCTION ANDMARKETING OF CAMEL.

Dr. Ghous BukshIsani1, Dr. Zafar Altaf

2, Dr. Abdullah Sethar

3 and Dr. Gul Hussan Sethar

4.

1. Retire Professor-Department of Live Stock, Sindh Agriculture University-Tando jam.

2. Secretary, Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock, Government of Pakistan, Islamabad.

3. Deputy Project Director-Sindh Agricultural Growth Project-Livestock Component, Hyderabad, Pakistan.

4. Civil Hospital, Karachi.

*Corresponding Author:-Ghous buxisani.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… Abstract:

In this chapter, the production aspects of camel like milk production, other dairy products along with meat

production, hair production and draughtability are discussed. The economic contribution of the production aspects of

camel have rarely been determined on national level. Similarly, the marketing aspects including market value of

camel and camel products like milk, hairs and meat have not been studied so far in Pakistan. An analysis of these

production and marketing aspects as in various camel habitats has been attempted. It was further revealed that Hair

are generally clipped during March—April in irrigated plain, sandy deserts and coastal areas, however clipping is

undertaken in April to May in mountainous areas (table 101). Camel hair in coastal belt and irrigated plains of Sindh

is called as ‗Millis‘. Camel hair production is presented in table 102.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Milk Production:- Main stay of people living in remote deserts, particitlarly nomad‘s food is milk. Camel milk is highly

nutritious as it contains lot of minerals and vitamin C. Data collected from camel herders of irrigated plains is

summarized in table 97 and table 98. Sample camel herders reported a lactation length of 300-325 days mean daily

milk yield varied from 6 to 8.6 litres across various zones of the irrigated plains. Mean milk yield of camel is higher

in Punjab than Sindh. It was also observed that mean daily camel yield in winter season was higher than summer

season. Inter-zone comparison revealed that mean camel milk yield was highest in the rice zone of Punjab than other

zones in irrigated plains of Punjab and Sindh.

Milk production of camel in coastal areas is given in table 98. Milk yield averaged 6 litres per day with a

range of 4 to 10 litres in an average lactation period of 340 days (table 99).

Economic benefits of camel products (i.e. milk and hair) are not apparently visible, however, domestic value is

considerable (Jásra and Aujla, 1997).

Table 97:-Milk production potential of various camel breeds of Pakistan

Breed Milk yieldllactation (litres)

Brahvi 1600

Kacchi 2000

Ghulmani 1300

Bagri 2050

Marecha 3600

Dhatii 2800

Table 98:-Milk production of sample camel herds in irrigated plains

Milk production (litres)

Irrigated Punjab Irrigated Sindh

Rice Mixed Cotton Rice Cotton

zone zone zone zone zone

Mean daily muk yield STD 8.64 7.54 7.43 6.91 6.28

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Volume 5, Issue 5

1.54 1.19 1.37 1.14 1.21

Mean daily winter yield

STD

9.5

2.01

7.15

1.93

7.59

1.18

7.00

2.19

6.75

1.81

Mean daily summer yield STD 7.21

1.04

6.07

1.20

7.75

0.79

6.33

1.99

5.49

1.03

Mean lactation length (day) 325 309 317 299 305

Table 99:-Milk production of camels in coastal areas

Parameter Values

Mean Range

Daily milk yield (litres) 6 4 - 10

Lactation yield (litres) 1600 1450-1800

Lactation length (days) 340 316-360

Dry period (days) 358 340-355

Figure 32:-A she camel being milked

IH Thai and Cholistan sandy deserts, average daily milk yield per animal was relatively higher in Choiistan as

compared to Thal. Since total number of milking females was relatively high in Cholistan. therefore, total camel

milk production per herd was higher as compared to Thai. She camels were reported yielding less milk during

summer as compared to winter (table 100).

Table 100:-Camel milk production in various sam)led deserts

Variables 0ujst ‗rla1 Thar

Average daily milk yield (litres) 6.86 5.00 na.

Average daily milk yield in winter (litres) 7.60 6.00 na.

Average daily milk yield in summer (litres) 6.03 4.00 na.

Laclation length (days) 365 365 n.a.

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Volume 5, Issue 5

Milk Products:-

Most common milk products in camel habitats are local yoghurt called Dahi and Lassi (i.e. sour milk).

Other product made from camel milk is a pudding type locally called Khirrinii or Phirrini. These products are tasty

and nourishing. Products like cheese and butter are not produced by local herders.

Hair Production:-

Adult camels are shorn once a year in irrigated areas, coastal, mountainous and desert habitats. Shearing

equipment is pair of scissors like clippers. Hair are generally clipped during March—April in irrigated plain, sandy

deserts and coastal areas, however clipping is undertaken in April to May in mountainous areas (table 101). Camel

hair in coastal belt and irrigated plains of Sindh is called as ‗Millis‘. Camel hair production is presented in table 102.

Hair production of an adult camel ranges annually from 1 to 2.6 kg depending on breed and interval between two

shearings. Mean hair production was highest in the rice zone followed by cotton zone of Punjab in the irrigated

plains.

Figure 33:-A colourful rug made of camel hair

Table 101:-Camel shearing time and method of sample herders in irrigated plains


Rice

zone

Mixed

zone

Cotton

zone Rice zone

Cotton

zone

Shearing time March - April 35 34 30 44 30

Shearing by scissor % 35 34 30 44 30

Camel hair are locally used for making rugs, ropes, etc (table 102). Half or more of hair production is used

Punjab and cotton zone of Sindh. for making rugs and ropes in mixed zone of Table 103 depicts the amount of hair

produced by the camel breeds of coastal region of Sindh. Hair are very rarely sold because of lack of proper

marketing system, hence they are locally used by the herders and converted into certain products like ropes, gunny

bags, and other products like rugs, carpets and blankets which are said to be warmer than those made from the hair

of other animals. These products are either sold locally or utilized for household purpose. The aged people in certain

families do the job of weaving of camel hair and manufacture the above mentioned products. This business is going

on as a sort of cottage industry on a limited scale at village level in remote areas of Pakistan.

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Volume 5, Issue 5

Table 102:-Camel hair production and their uses in irrigated plains

Hair Production


Rice

zone

Mixed

zone

Cotton

zone Rice zone

Cotton

zone

Meanhairyield(kg) 1.91 1.25 1.33 1.13 1.09

Range (kg) 1-2.15 1-2.60 1-1.90 1-2.15 0.9-1.70

Uses of hairs

(% respondents) 90 80 70 83 85

Making rugs and ropes

(% respondents) 46 59 76 53 60

Making nakil

(%respondents) 11 8 5 13 6

As waste

(%respondents) 42 33 19 34 40

Table 103:-Hair production of camel breeds of coastal region of Sindh

- Breed of camel Hair yield (kg)

Mean Range

Kharai 1.5 0.75 - 2.5

Sakrai 1.0 0.75- 1.5

Larri or Sindhi 0.35 0.5 - 0.75

Over all mean 0.95

Camel Shearing in Deserts:-

Camel shearing is an important activity in sandy deserts. All sample herders reported season of camel

shearing as March -April. Shearing is done by pair of scissors. None of the respondents reported using trimming

machines for their camels. Average hair yield ranged between 1 and 1.5 kg per Camel. Camel breeds of sandy

deserts are not much hairy hence their hair yield is not high as compared to the breeds of ountainous region. Camel

hair are primarily used for making ropes and rugs (table 104).

Table 104:-Camel shearing practices in various sampled deserts

Camel shearing Thal Cholistan Thar

Shearing during March— April (% respondents) 100 100 100

Shearing done by scissors (%_respondents) 100 100 100

Mean yield (kg) 1.00 1.50 1.18

Uses

- making rugs & ropes (% respondents)

- making nakil (% respondents)

- as waste (% respondents)

72.22

5.55

22.23

100

-

-

90

-

10

Meat Production:-

Varying number of camels are slaughtered in different areas of Pakistan. Authentic data is not available in

national statistical bulletins. According to official reports, 8 to 10 camels are slaughtered daily in Karachi city.

Camel meat is used as a cooked product locally called ‗Nihari‘, a delicious dish consumed by the urban people

mostly on break fast. It is also being sold in hotels of the city. Good number of camels are annually slaughtered on

the occasion of Eid-ud-Duha, a religious islamic festival. Camels are also slaughtered on celebration of certain

festivals in the rural deserts and mountainous region.

According to an estimate, about 9000 metric tons of camel meat worth Rs. 270 million is produced in the

country (Jasra and Aujla, 1997). Carcass yield of camel reared under low input varies according to age at slaughter.

The reported values varied from 129 to 250 kg and dressing percentage ranged between 50 to 52. Price of camel

meat in city is Rs. 50 to 55 per kg (Isani and Baloch, 2000).

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Volume 5, Issue 5

Draughtability:-

Camels were chosen for pack much later in comparison to other draught animals like cattle, horses and

donkeys. Herders reported the state of maturity of a camel at 7 to 8 years as compared to horse at 5 years and bull at

2 to 2.5 years. A five years camel is still considered in growing age and is not put to hard pack work. Herders do not

consider it appropriate to use below five years camel for load carrying. According to them, a camel can be broken

for pack work after 2 years, but should carry nothing but his saddle until 5.5 years of age. They suggested piercing

of animal nostrils for nose peg atleast one month ahead to be controlled to walk with camel herd. A wooden nose

peg is in common use. In most cases, camel with pack load is controlled with a nasal rope called Muhar. This rope is

attached with the nosepeg by a piece of thin string. Load carrying capacity of various camel breeds is reported in

table 105.

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Volume 5, Issue 5

Table 105:-Dran htabi1ity of various camel breeds of Pakistan

Breed Riding speed (Krnlhr) Load carrying capacity (kg)

Sakrai 57 300-350

Kharai 6-8 280-3 10

Larri 4-5 350-400.

Brahvi 7.5 300-350

Kharani 7.0 300-350

Maya 7.0 300-500

(Isani and Baloch, 2000)

Regarding the marketing of camels and its products, no middlemen‘s exploitation was reported in Thai

whereas about 27% and 60% farmers reported exploitation of the middlemen in Cholistan and Thar deserts,

respectivley. All respondents in Thardesert complained about milk and meat marketing problems whereas about

72% and 21% respondents made such complaints in Cholistan and Thai, respectively.

Marketing Of Camel:-

There are three types of camel markets i.e. weekly, monthly and annual livestock markets in Pakistan. The

weekly and monthly markets are markets where all types of livestock including camels are brought for sale and

purchase. These markets occur regularly at various places in the districts of Thatta and Badin. Two annual markets

are famous for sale and purchase of camels in Sindh i.e. one at SajjanSawai in the district Badin and other at

Oderolal, district Hyderabad. Former is general livestock market where as latter is exclusively a camel market. Mean

prices of camels sold at two main annual markets are shown in table 106. Perception of camel herders regarding

marketing patterns in the coastal areas is stated in table 107.

Table 106:-Market prices of camel at various types of markets

S.No Name of market Mean price (Rs.) Range (Rs.)

1. SajjanSawai (Badin) 19000 15000-25000

2. OderoLal (Hyderabad) 22000 19000-30000

Table 107:-Perceptions of camel herders of coastal areas regarding Marketg

Perception

Respondents

saying “YES”

%

Respondents

saying “NO”

%

No reply by the

%

Total

respondents

Market site far from farmer‘s 61.94 38.06 - 155

house

Transport problem for 29.68 70.32 - 155

purchasers

Diffcrent organizations 34.84 65.16 - 155

demand money

Market charges are high 56.77 42.23 - 155

Low market price during sale 82.58 17.42 - 155

Bargaining in market delays 94.19 3.87 1.94 155

to fix price and trade

Feeding and watering 96.13 3.87 - 155

facilities available at market

place

No government control on 100 - - 155

market operating system

Disturbance caused by 57.42 41.29 1.29 155

brokers

Price variation in different 93.55 6.45 - 155

markets

Corrupted law and order 94.19 5.16 0.65 155

situation

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Volume 5, Issue 5

Security problem for camel 69.03 22.58 14.84 155

sellers at iiight

Pick pocketing and theft in 93.55 6.45 - 155

market

Marketing system needs to be 100

155

organized

Shelters for camels available

100 - 155

in the market

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Volume 5, Issue 5

Annual markets are conducted on occasions of annual celebrations locally called Melas or Uris i.e. celebrations of

two famous saints. Weekly and monthly markets are held for one day where as annual markets are usuallyy of

longer duration i.e. 4 days. On occasion of annual markets, racing, dancing and acrobatic camels are brought in for

competitions. Camels are sold at reassonable prices depending on type, breed and utility and price competition does

exists in these markets. Sale price varies from year to year and market to market.

The camels are also sold at the slaughter house Karachi for daily slaughtering. Slaughtering charges or fee

amounts to Rs 35 per camel charged by local corporation. In certain cases, sale of camels at village level was also

reported. It was disclosed by some herders of irrigated plains that middle men come from far flung areas of Pakistan

like LakiMurwat. NWFP and Dera Ghazi Khan, Punjab to purchase camels• directly from herders. They purchased

camels at cheaper rates for export at much higher prices. These camels are exported to the markets of Saudi Arabia,

United Arab Emirates (UAE) etc.

In mountainous region i.e. Balochistan province two camel markets are famous. A regular camel market at

Quetta is functional almost on daily basis and through out a year. Similarly another market is Dalbandin. An annual

markting event occurs for few day on the occasion of famous Sibi animal show.

Table 108:-Mean market value of livestock kept by sample respondents in irrigated area

Animals


Rice

zone

Mixed

zone

Cotton

zone

Rice

zone

Cotton

zone

Buffaloes (Rs.)

STD

19400

(1938)

19667

(3049)

17167

(4345) - -

Cows (Rs.)

STD

19667

(4726)

16750

(1035)

13850

(4590)

15667

(578)

16000

(0)

Bullocks (Rs.)

STD -

10000

(0)

13000

(3559)

15667

(578) -

Sheep (Rs).

STD -

1175

(126) - - -

Goats (Rs.)

STD

1600

(432)

1733

(230)

1220

(501)

1333

(305)

1200

(160)

Horses (Rs.)

STD

27500

(3536)

22000

(8485) - - -

Camel (Rs.)

STD

17654

(2842)

17456

(3674)

32411

(5914)

16167

(1465)

16200

(1322)

STD: Standard deviation

Marketing of Camel Hair:-

Hair are very rarely sold because of lack of proper marketing system, hence they are locally used by herders and

converted into certain products like ropes, grain storage bags and other products like rugs, carpets, shawls, blankets

etc. These products re either sold or utilized for household purpose. Older individuals in certain families do the job

of weaving of hair. Hair production of few camel breeds of Pakistan is presented in table 109.

Table 109:-Annual hair yield of some hairy camel breeds of Pakistan

Breed of camel Annual hair yield (kg)

Brahvi 2.0— 3.0

Bactrian 5.0

Maya 3.0—3.5

Pishin 1.0—2.0

Conclusions:-

Majority of herders were landless. Livestock production was thus the most important economic activity for camel

herders of irrigated plains. Camel production is a first step in often long process of providing consumers with camel

and their products. With increased urbanization trends, the transport network has developed and the role of

marketing system including transport of products from field to consumer market has stepped up. Marketing of live

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Volume 5, Issue 5

camel and their products is still old fashioned and completely controlled by marketing agents exploiting camel

producers in Pakistan. Mean market value of livestock is presented in tables 108. Mean market value of camel in

cotton zone of Punjab is almost double than mean market value of camel in other zones of both Punjab and Sindh.

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Documents

Journal home page: 7.0 300-350 Maya 7.0 300-500 (Isani and Baloch, 2000) Regarding the marketing of camels and its products, no middlemen‘s exploitation was reported in Thai whereas