Production and Utilization of Camel Milk in Eastern Ethiopia: The Case of Jijiga and Shinile Zones (A Survey)

Type Journal Article - Folia Veterinaria
Title Production and Utilization of Camel Milk in Eastern Ethiopia: The Case of Jijiga and Shinile Zones (A Survey)
Author(s)
Volume 46
Issue 2
Publication (Day/Month/Year) 2002
Page numbers 75-82
URL http://www.uvlf.sk/sites/default/files/folia-veterinaria/folia-veterinaria-2-2002.pdf#page=22
Abstract
The production and utilization of camel milk in Jijiga and Shinile zones of the Somali National Regional State, Eastern Ethiopia were studied. The main objective of this study was to describe camel milk production and utilization by selected herders in the study areas. Eighty-four households from four districts of Jijiga and Shinile zones were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. The results of the study show that the mean lactation milk off-take per dam in the Jijiga site was 2009 kg with a mean lactation length of 15 months. Whereas in the Shinile site the average milk off-take was 1244 kg with an average lactation length of 13 months. The results of the study reveal also that camel milk is an important food item to the sample respondents. It is consumed either in fresh or sour form without processing. In fact, the camel herders did not practice milk processing, and milk souring is the only technique they used to extend the shelf life of camel milk. The Jijiga herders were found to be market-oriented in that they sold part of their camel milk production and generated cash income. Whereas the Shinile respondents used the almost all their milk for household consumption.

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