Understanding Local Farming Practices of Lassi Camels in Lasbela Region Balochistan

Abstract

The study on understanding prevailing husbandry practices, social status, and milk composition of Lassi camel was conducted in the Lasbela region of Balochistan. To conduct this study, a questionnaire was used as a research instrument. In this connection, camel farmers (n=60) were randomly selected from four different locations of Lasbela region i.e., Winder, Lakhra, Bela and Uthal. Colostrum and milk samples were also collected to learn the colostrum and milk composition of camels in pastoral grazing. The collected data were statistically analysed using frequency distribution. Results showed that residence is available to all Laasi camel farmers however, all camel farmers live in Kaccha houses (100%). They had no access to tap water and natural gas for fuel purposes (0%). Like other sources of income, camel shared 30-50%, 50-70% and more than 70% of the contribution to family income earned by 35, 39 and 26% farmers’ population, respectively. The Lassi camel production system showed that all camels were kept through an extensive system (100%). The number of camels per farmer was; 1-10 farmers were 46%, 11-30 shared 30%, 31-50 farmers shared 14% and more than fifty (50) farmers shared 10% of camel per family. Mostly 93% of calves weaned at the age of 12 months and only 7% from the age of above (>12) months. In milk production,  63% of camels secreted 6-8 litres per day, and 25% of camels produced more than eight (>8) litres per day. A majority (97%) of adult male camel sales at the rate of 150000 and only 3 % sold more than 150000 (>150000) during the study period 2019-21. On the other hand, the average sale of adult female camel varies from (75- 80000). Camels of different ages (mostly male calves) are slaughtered on a daily basis. The milk of camel did not sell out so the availability of milk in the market was (0%). All camels were mostly kept on grazing (99%). Very rare feeding of crop residues and the concentrate is practised (0.5%). Camels do travel up to 5 km for grazing (93%). The most preferred rangeland species by the order were Jaar, Babur Kanda etc. The milk composition of Lassi camels showed that fat, solid-not-fat (SNF), protein, lactose and salts were 3.51, 11.17, 5.55, 6.42 and 1.06 per cent, respectively. Colostrum composition of Lassi camels showed that fat, SNF, protein, lactose and salt contents were 0.48, 24.62, 9.08, 13.46 and 1.61 per cent, respectively.  This study has surfaced different aspects of conventional farming of Lassi camels. If those conventional practices intervened and improved through awareness and capacity building of camel farmers, it would improve the health of camels, milk yield, breaking religious misconceptions, marketing and consequent poverty alleviation of camel farming communities.