CAIRO: In five years' time camel products such as meat, milk, hair and leather are likely to break into markets, to be sold side by side with their counterparts obtained from sheep and cows, according to Dr Abdel Hamid Azamel, a desert animal expert. Dr Azamel, director of the animal and poultry department at the Cairo Desert Research Centre (DRC), underlined that the different camel products are expected to become available within a few years following the inception of the Egyptian Society of Camels by the DRC this year. "This is the first society of its kind to be devoted to creating an entire database on Egyptian camels, their different breeds and their presence in the country's expansive desert territories, said Azamel. "The society will also address the problems facing the herds as well as the studies and research conducted to solve them, added the specialist. The Egyptian Society of Camels, which was launched at the DRC's premises in Cairo this summer, will soon expand through a number of branches to be set up at the DRC's different desert stations and will be funded by the institution along with a large number of investors. "The role of the new society will primarily be to purchase the surplus of animals from Bedouin camel breeders with the aim of multiplying the society's own herd, Azamel commented. Desert experts' awareness of the need to maximize the products obtained from the one-humped camel breed in Egypt has recently increased. The research center will therefore help address the shortage in animal protein in the region. "Some people in Egypt eat camel meat, said Dr Mohamed Farag Shihata, a researcher at the Animal and Poultry department and the society's secretary. "But this continues to be done on a small scale. There are camel abattoirs in Cairo and other governorates. The highest level of camel meat consumption, however, is found in Belbeis, Sharqeya, where a large market of camel slaughterhouses exists, said Shihata. Although many believe that camel meat is difficult to digest, Shihata explained that this applies only to the camel meat currently available in the market, which comes from old animals. "Like other animals, young ones are tender, tastier and easier to digest, but because they are not usually widely available, slaughterhouses opt for the older camels. The new society's [Egyptian Society of Camels'] policy is to increase the number of young camels whose meats are usually ideal for consumption after they complete their third year. Only four male camels are required to impregnate a herd of 100 female camels. Females are usually kept for procreation purposes when the males are used in the production of meat. In Bedouin society, the female camel is only eaten on rare occasions - namely when it is no longer capable of procreating. Male camels offer ideal meal because some of them are not as strong and fertile, making them of little use to the Bedouins. "Another good aspect to camel breeding for general consumption is that it doesn't need the costly fodders required for other types of animals. The camels feed on desert plants and trees, Shihata explained. Besides encouraging private projects relating to the development of camel breeding and products, the society will organize a scientific meeting every two years and issue a special publication on the subject in addition to brochures and guidelines in Arabic for breeders and owners of camel farms, said Azamel. "The best MA and PhD in the field of camel-breeding will be honored by the society, he added.
