Supporting the camelid sector is crucial for advancing sustainable agriculture and improving livelihoods: FAO livestock expert

Rome – The United Nations has dedicated 2024 to recognizing and celebrating the vital contributions camelids make to livelihoods, food security, nutrition and culture.

The International Year of Camelids was proposed by the Government of the Plurinational State of Bolivia and approved by the UN General Assembly in 2017. The Andean nation along with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia play a key role in its implementation.

Badi Besbes, Chief of the Sustainable Animal Production, Feed and Genetics Branch at FAO, sat down for an interview with FAO Newsroom about the diverse species of camelids worldwide, their vital roles in local communities, and their potential in tackling climate change, along with the challenges faced by both the animals and the people who rely on them.

^{Bactrian camel in Kazakhstan ©FAO/Nastya Palagutin}

1. What are the different species of camelids and where are they found globally?

When we talk about camelids, we refer to seven species. These include the Bactrian camel, the dromedary, and the wild camel. Additionally, we have four South American species: the domesticated alpaca and llama and wild vicuña and guanaco.

There are approximately 7.5 million alpacas, 4 million llamas, 350,000 vicuñas, and 600,000 guanacos in South America. Interestingly, camelids originated in America about 45 million years ago.

Today, the dromedary and Bactrian camels are mainly found in Africa and Asia, with about 42 million in total. Of these, 84 percent are in Africa and 16 percent in Asia.

^{Guanaco in Argentina ©Gonzalo Estegu}

2. What are the primary contributions of camelids to livelihoods, food security and nutrition?

Camelids play an important role and make significant contributions to people in more than 90 countries, especially for the millions of people living in highlands and arid and semi-arid areas. They provide, among other products, milk and meat.

Camel milk is mostly consumed by people that keep these animals, but self-consumption of camel meat is less important. For these people, these animals can be the only source of nutritious animal-source food. For example, over 60 percent of milk is self-consumed in countries like those in the Gulf. In Somalia, 45 percent of the milk produced in the country comes from camels.

Camelids also provide fiber and fertilizer and are used for transport and traction, as well as jobs for people relying on them. They are a vital part of the culture and identity of the communities that raise them.

And for all these reasons, the slogan of the International Year – Heroes of the deserts and highlands:  nourishing people and culture – fits very well with all the products and services that camelids provide to these communities.

^{Llama producers in Bolivia ©Giada Connestari/FOOD4 LaStamp}

3. How do camelids help build resilience to the impacts of climate change? 

We see that in many challenging conditions, including extreme hot or harsh cold environments, the camelid population is increasing, largely due to the camelid’s unique ability to thrive in such conditions. They can graze on poor-quality natural resources and possess physiological and anatomical features that allow them to thrive and maintain production where other species cannot survive. For example, camels have the capacity to support fluctuations in their body temperature, which help them conserve water during the heat more efficiently than other species.

Another related aspect is that dromedaries and Bactrian camels, which make up approximately 80 percent of the global camelid population, account for less than two percent of livestock-related greenhouse gas emissions globally. However, in some countries and regions their contribution is more significant. For example, in Sub-Saharan Africa, camels are responsible for about 10 percent of direct livestock emissions.

4. Why did the UN declare 2024 as the International Year of Camelids? What are the key objectives of this year?

In 2016, the government of the Plurinational State of Bolivia proposed the International Year of Camelids. In 2017, the FAO Conference endorsed a resolution supporting this initiative, and few months later, the United Nations General Assembly officially declared 2024 as the International Year of Camelids, and invited FAO to facilitate its implementation.

Since then, we have been working with FAO Members and partners to celebrate this unique opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of camelids for local communities and Indigenous Peoples who depend on them. We are also collaborating with stakeholders and governments to recognize and value the contribution of camelids to livelihoods, food security and nutrition, and their cultural significance. Additionally, we aim to increase investment in research and development and extension services for the camelid sector.

^{A camel herder leads his camels in Jamao Mubarak village, Somalia. ©FAO/Arete/Moustapha Negueye}

5. What are the main challenges faced by camelid farmers and herders today?

Camelid herders live in hostile and harsh conditions, such as highlands and deserts. They have limited access to water and pasture. Climate change is exacerbating the challenges by further reducing the availability of natural resources, and consequently the productivity of animals. This results in reduced income and food security and nutrition for communities relying on camelids.

In addition, camelid herders face similar issues to other small-scale livestock producers, such as limited access to services, information, knowledge, technology, innovation, markets, and credit. They are excluded from decision-making processes and policies. These are just some of the challenges faced by camelid producers.

^{Alpacas in Chile ©️FAO}

6. Looking ahead, what are the most promising opportunities for enhancing the role of camelids in sustainable agriculture and rural development?

The International year could bring several opportunities. It can promote policies and investments for the development of the camelid sector, supporting the livelihoods of communities that depend on camelids. It can also raise awareness about the social, economic, ecological and cultural importance of camelids. Additionally, it could enhance the value of the products and services provided by camelids to improve the livelihoods of those who rely on them.

The goal is to strengthen producers through capacity development and supporting the formation of producer organisations so that their voices are better heard.

To conclude, we hope that the International Year of Camelids will highlight the value of camelid products and services and raise awareness of their contribution to livelihoods, food security and nutrition.