Camels and Camelids

CAMEL MARKET CHANNELS IN THE JAISALMER DISTRICT OF RAJASTHAN, INDIA

Journal Edition: December 2010
Article DOI:
Published On: 03-09-2018 19:13

B. Faye1, C. Bénard1, I. Köhler-Rollefson2 and J.P. Boutonnet3
1CIRAD-ES TA C/Dir B, Campus International de Baillarguet, 34398 Montpellier, France
2Plot 760, Anchalwanchi Colony, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, India
3Supagro-Montpellier, 2 place Viala, 34000 Montpellier, France

ABSTRACT

In a survey focused on Jaisalmer district (India), 136 camel farmers living in 64 villages were interviewed on their market practices. Milk market and camel slaughtering were not developed in the Jaisalmer district and the most common source of income was the sale of living young male camels. According to the birth rate (17%), the insignificant purchasing rate, the selling rate (7%), the loss (2%) and the mortality rate (4%), the in-flow of animals was higher than the total out-flow, leading to a camel population growth rate of 3.34%. The final use of the sold animals was not known in most of the cases. 52% of the animals were purchased by merchant coming from (out of the district), 7% by local merchants, 30% by other camel farmers and 7% by tourist guides. The camel marketing out of the Jaisalmer district did not seem to contribute to the announced decline of the camel population for the whole Rajasthan, and could be an opportunity for the development of the camel farming in this area.
Key words: Camel, camel economy, market channels, Rajasthan - India