Fostering a sustainable Camel Milk Value Chain by Implementing Innovative Solutions and Strengthening Resilience of Smallholders in the Mediterranean region – CAMELAIT4MED

Mediterranean region faces significant challenges exacerbated by water scarcity and the increasing impacts of climate change. Developing camel milk production emerges as a sustainable alternative to conventional cow dairy farming, offering resilience and environmental benefits.

CAMELAIT4MED project aims to foster the sustainable transformation of the camel milk industry by holistically implementing innovative technologies and practices at different stages of the production chain.

Firstly, the project focuses on monitoring and promoting the well-being and health of camels through the adoption of precision livestock farming techniques. Leveraging sensor technologies (IoT applications), the project aims to monitor herd health, productivity, and welfare in real-time, thereby enhancing animal welfare standards and productivity as acceptability by populations while minimizing antibiotics usage and vet needs .

Secondly, efforts are directed towards optimizing nutrition and feed management strategies to improve the economic viability of camel milk production. By utilizing locally available by-products as supplementary animal feed (circular economy), the project seeks to reduce feed costs and mitigate food waste while ensuring optimal animal nutrition.

Thirdly, the project addresses challenges related to milk collection, hygiene, and storage through the promotion of mechanical milking systems and sustainable milk storage technologies. The mechanization of milking makes this modernized profession more attractive to young people and women, by making the work less arduous, while enabling more rigorous monitoring of milk quality and camel health. What remains to be done is to train people in the use of this tool, and to suggest appropriate management for dromedaries. Protocols for hygienic milk collection and storage will be developed, alongside the exploration of solar-powered refrigeration and fermentation control methods, aiming to enhance energy efficiency and product quality. In addition, the project focuses on the development of eco-designed and therefore environmentally friendly packaging solutions, tracing temperature history to improve product preservation and market access, while addressing the challenges of limiting food waste and waste management.

Lastly, capacity building and knowledge dissemination is essential for successful implementation of the project outcomes. Through the creation of educational materials and multilingual training programs for higher and technical education, the project aims to empower young generations and small stockholders, advisors, and stakeholders with the necessary skills and information for the adoption of sustainable camel milk production practices. Raising general public, doctor and nutritionist awareness through targeted communication should also boost demand for camel milk products.

Bringing together all stakeholders in the DROMALAIT consortium will lay the foundations for a new industry in all partner countries. Through interdisciplinary collaboration and stakeholder engagement, this project will contribute to the establishment of a resilient and inclusive camel milk industry. By addressing technological, economic and social dimensions, the project aims to create a sustainable food system that improves income and healthy human nutrition, animal welfare and respect for the environment.