C. Bénard1, B. Faye1, C.H. Moulin2 and I. Kölher-Rollefson3
1CIRAD-ES TA C/Dir B, Campus International de Baillarguet, 34398 Montpellier, France,
2Montpellier Sup’Agro, 2 Place Pierre Viala, 34 000 Montpellier, France,
3Plot 760, Anchalwanchi Colony, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, India
ABSTRACT
One hundred camel keepers from 66 villages and cities in Jaisalmer district, Rajasthan, were interviewed about uses of their camels and the revenue generated from camel based activities. The analysis of the results shows that camel keepers, in this district, are in the majority from Rajput community (59% of the interviewed), followed by Muslim (15%), Bishnoi (11%) and Raika (8%). Camel keepers were classified into 8 different types, according to the role of the camel in their household economy. Two types are constituted of camel users which keep camels for urban transportation (6.25%) or for tourism (8.75%). The 6 other types are camel breeders. Among them, camel breeding represented the primary source of income for 62% of the total. This was the case for those camel breeders who also trade in camels (3.75%), pursue a touristic activity (3.15%), involve in secondary small ruminant breeding activity (30%) or agricultural activities (10%). Alternatively, the camel breeding could be a secondary income source (38% of the interviewed), of lesser importance than small ruminant breeding (31% of the total) or agricultural activities (7.5% of the total). In all these types, activities such as agriculture or breeding other livestock would complete household income.
Key words: Camel farming system, dromedary, India, Rajasthan, typology
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