Kazakhstan’s Flourishing Camel Farming Showcased in Year of Camelids
The United Nations has declared 2024 as the International Year of Camelids (IYC 2024) in an effort to bring attention to the vital role that camelids play in the livelihoods of millions of households across more than 90 countries. This diverse group of animals, including alpacas, Bactrian camels, dromedaries, guanacos, llamas, and vicuñas, make significant contributions to food security, nutrition, and economic growth, while also holding cultural significance around the world.
In the Kyzylorda Region of Kazakhstan, the camel farming industry is flourishing, particularly in the Kazaly and Aral districts. Residents in these areas have turned to camel farming due to the animals’ remarkable ability to adapt to the local environment. Camels can survive for extended periods without drinking water and can endure even longer periods without food, demonstrating their resilience. Currently, there are 61,000 camels in the Kyzylorda Region.
In the village of Aralkum, which consists of 250 houses, camel farming plays a crucial role in the community’s livelihoods. Local resident Tolemis Orynbai emphasized the ability of camels to thrive in the region’s harsh desert conditions, particularly noting their resilience during the drought of 2021 compared to other domestic animals.
Camel farming is proving to be effective due to the animals’ 12-month lactation period and lower grass consumption compared to other livestock. In addition to providing milk, camel farming also offers the opportunity to produce clothing from their fur and skin, as well as the creation of a fermented milk drink called Shubat.
Local farmer Asyl Almagambetova highlighted the productivity of camel farming, stating that she milks her camels three times a day, with each camel producing one to one and a half liters of milk per day. Farmers in the region are also actively working to improve camel breeds and plan to increase camel milk production in the coming years.
The declaration of 2024 as the International Year of Camelids serves as an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the important contributions of these resilient animals to the lives and livelihoods of people around the world.
