UAE looks to its camels to meet local demand

The way forward: Agriculture Technology helps camel milk come closer to meeting local demand

Camels are expecetd to meet local demand for meat and milk in 2013.

Ensuring the country can feed itself, whether through imports or local produce, will be a pressing issue this year.

With 90 per cent of its food imported, the country's food supply is extremely vulnerable to external supply shortages. This makes food security a top priority.

Bodies including the Zayed Higher Organisation for Humanitarian Care and Special Needs are encouraging the push to produce food locally.

Its initiative in aquaponics - a combination of hydroponics and aquaculture - is expected to produce 450,000 kilograms of food in Abu Dhabi this year.

Camels have a part to play, too.

So far they have contributed to meeting local demand for meat and milk but their role could be taken a step further.

With new camel-milking technologies and artificial insemination, camel milk is expected to come closer to meeting local demand.