Somalia’s camel milk revolution is improving nutrition and creating jobs
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MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) — Camels have long been the backbone of Somalia ‘s pastoralist culture, feeding families, transporting goods and standing tall in local folklore. But on the dusty outskirts of the capital, the camel now finds itself at the center of an agricultural revolution that could redefine Somali farming.
On a breezy Wednesday morning in mid-June, The Associated Press visited Beder Camel Farm — one of a new generation of camel dairies springing up around Mogadishu.
Dozens of camels sauntered around sandy paddocks while others nibbled on fresh fodder under the watchful eyes of herders. In a nearby shed, workers carefully milked the animals and collected the frothy yield in sanitized containers.
Demand for camel milk is growing, buoyed by a wave of local entrepreneurs who see untapped potential in a traditional resource.