Investigating the breeding system and economic potential of the peri-urban camel husbandry in Southeast Morocco

Mustapha Ibnelbachyr; Houria Ben Amer; Bachir El Bouhali; Younes Noutfia; MUSTAPHA

Article Details

Investigating the breeding system and economic potential of the peri-urban camel husbandry in Southeast Morocco

Authors:

Mustapha Ibnelbachyr | Houria Ben Amer | Bachir El Bouhali | Younes Noutfia | MUSTAPHA

Publisher:

INRA

Journal:

African and Mediterranean Agricultural Journal - Al Awamia Issue 147, pp.139-146

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

6/2025

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001843651

pISSN:

2658-9184

Abstract:

 In Southern East Morocco, camel husbandry is supported mainly by rangelands. However, the increasing tendency of nomad families to settle in urban centers has led to a growing interest in a semi-sedentary system associated with tourism activities. To characterize this peri-urban camel breeding system, a study was carried out on 50 camel farms, 15 milk sale points, and 10 butchers selling camel meat located along the touristic road of Errachidia-Taous. Three milk samples were collected in each sale point, directly from she-camels (raw) or from sale milk (stored) and then analysed at laboratory. The results showed that the camel owners are semi-sedentary (53%), nomads (38%), or sedentary (9.1%). They generally associate camels with other livestock species (cattle, sheep, or goats) and other economic activities (agriculture, trade, tourism). The camel herds feeding is based mainly on grazing and browsing rangelands, supplemented with fodder produced locally or purchased in the livestock feed market. Milk met satisfactory nutritional and bacteriological standards. Total dry extract, protein, fat, lactose, and ash contents were 12.4%, 2.79%, 4.09%, 5.05%, and 0.46%, respectively. The total number of aerobic mesophilic bacteria varied between 1.95 x 105 CFU/ml in raw milk and 2.72 x 105 CFU/ml in stored milk. This study improves our knowledge about camel breeding in the region, considering its growing renewed interest. Other studies are needed to determine if this peri-urban system is an adaptive strategy to new climate and economic contexts or if it is simply an economically more profitable activity for breeders.

Article Details

Investigating the breeding system and economic potential of the peri-urban camel husbandry in Southeast Morocco

Authors: Mustapha Ibnelbachyr | Houria Ben Amer | Bachir El Bouhali | Younes Noutfia | MUSTAPHA

Publisher: INRA

Journal: African and Mediterranean Agricultural Journal - Al Awamia Issue 147, pp.139-146

Document Type: Article

Publication Date: 6/2025

Document Language: English

Document ID (Org No.): 2001843651

pISSN: 2658-9184

Issues

Authors:

Mustapha Ibnelbachyr | Houria Ben Amer | Bachir El Bouhali | Younes Noutfia | MUSTAPHA

Publisher:

INRA

Journal:

African and Mediterranean Agricultural Journal - Al Awamia Issue 147, pp.139-146

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

6/2025

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001843651

pISSN:

2658-9184