![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/A-camel-and-calf-milking-credit-krebsmaus07-CC-BY-2.0-via-Flickr-1024x576.jpg\")
A camel and calf milking \u2013 credit, krebsmaus07, CC BY 2.0 via Flickr<\/p>\n A camel and calf milking \u2013 credit, krebsmaus07, CC BY 2.0 via Flickr<\/p>\n
In an exclusive for AP<\/a>, Somalia\u2019s camel dairies speak with hope about the future in a country that often has very little to hope about.<\/p>\n From outside government meddling and invasions, to regular bombings, insurgencies, famine, and piracy, \u201cSomalia\u201d and \u201cinvestment\u201d are two words that rarely go hand in hand.<\/p>\n But the country and its people are master camel herders since time immemorial, and armed with modern veterinary practices, scientifically selected fodder, and industry-standard hygienics, a new camel milk industry boom is poised to play a small part in advancing the economy.<\/p>\n Camel milk contains nutrients like magnesium, vitamins B12, C, D, and A, iron, and zinc, while simultaneously carrying very low-levels of lactose. It\u2019s a critical nutritional staple in one of the few countries in the world that has undergone a true, bona fide famine in the last 25 years.<\/p>\n Beder Camel Farm is one establishment in this new generation of camel dairies that are trying to modernize the ancient production and consumption methods of camel milk.<\/p>\n Each milking camel can produce 2.5 gallons per day, which is about twice as much as what\u2019s collected by traditional pastoralists. Holding 40% of the nation\u2019s market share, and employing hundreds of both seasonal and full-time employees at the farm and dairy facilities, Beder is leading this movement.<\/p>\n The country is eager to see the camel milk industry develop. It not only provides milk\u2014for all its uses\u2014but has graduated to yogurt; produced and packaged for sale in the markets of Mogadishu.<\/p>\n