[Hold] Most of Kenya's camel milk goes to waste
Kenya is the largest camel milk producer globally but about half of all that is produced in the country goes to waste, according to data from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
A study by the FAO, published in the International Journal of Food Science, says Kenya produces 1.165 Million Metric Tonnes (MMT) annually, followed by Somalia (0.958 MMT) and Mali (0.271 MMT).
More To Read
"The increase in camel milk production volumes has been due to the rising adoption of camel rearing practices, improved production techniques supported by various organisations, and improving camel milk consumption in Kenya," said lead researcher Stephen Oselu of the Department of Food Science at the Meru University of Science and Technology.
"This waste is due to postharvest losses resulting from poor hygiene, lack of proper handling equipment, poor infrastructure, and long durations during transportation of camel milk at ambient temperatures which in turn harbour microbial growth and elevate milk deterioration," Oselu explained.
The study added that camel milk farmers and traders encounter additional economic challenges due to spoilage, delayed payments, financial losses due to informal courier services, low prices of fermented camel milk products, and rejection of camel milk by customers in urban markets such as Nairobi.
Camel breeds and milk production
There are five known camel breeds in Kenya, with the animals classified and named based on the ethnic groups owning them and their geographic distribution.
They are Turkana, Rendile, Gabbra, Somali and Pakistani.
"The Pakistan camel breeds produce the highest quantity of milk, with a daily production of between four and seven litres under ranching conditions. However, they rely on heavy feeder programmes and cannot survive the harsh desert conditions and rough terrain witnessed in the North-Eastern counties in Kenya," Oselu explained.
The study ranks the Somali camel breeds as the second-highest milk producer, with threee to five litres daily, and a lactation period of 12 -18 months.
The Rendille and Gabra camels have a milk production yield of between one and three litres a day and lactation periods of between 12 and 18 months.
The Turkana camel breed produces less milk than the Somali, Gabbra, and Rendille breeds, with a daily production of 1 to 1.25 litres. It has a lactation period of about 12 months.
Camel population
Data by FAOSTAT states that the world's camel population in 2022 stood at approximately 37.51 million, with Africa boasting the highest number of camels globally - 32.67 million.
East Africa (Kenya, South Sudan, Somalia and Ethiopia) has a total of 13.71 million camels. Kenya ranks third with 4.7 million, Sudan 4.9 million and Somalia 7.2 million.
In Kenya, North Eastern counties including Mandera, Wajir, Garissa, Turkana, Marsabit, Isiolo, Tana River, Samburu, Baringo, and West Pokot have the most number of camels in that order, with pastoral communities Turkana, Gabbra, Somali, and Rendile as the key players.
The report says that in Kenya, various ASAL county governments and multiple development agencies like the Ewaso Nyiro Development Authority, FARM lands, Lands Resource Management, Arid Lands, CARE Kenya, Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), USAID, and Food for the Hungry (FH) promote the rearing of camels by Kenyan pastoralist communities.
Camel farmers milk their livestock every morning and evening. Just before the milking is done, a calf has to suckle its mother's tits to stimulate flow. The milking is done fast by at least two people.
Top Stories Today
