New direction for the ship of the desert

Its demand as a draught animal for transportation and farm work in arid areas is waning but rearing camels, primarily as a productive milch animal, has immense potential

The camel may soon emerge as an important dairy animal, valued for its milk having distinct quality and therapeutic traits. In Europe and some other countries, camel milk is already sold as functional food, or nutraceutical, at premium prices. Scientists of the Bikaner-based National Research Centre on Camel (NRCC) maintain that the Indian camel owners, too, can hope to get high prices, up to Rs 250 a litre, if camel milk is presented as a super food capable of averting several lifestyle ailments, including type-1 diabetes and hypertension. It is recommended also to prevent and cure dreaded diseases like jaundice,