Julien, Lionel , Moutik, Fatima Ezzahra , Haloui, Chaimae , Huguenin, Johann , Srairi, Mohamed Taher
2021-01-07 CAHIERS AGRICULTURES 2021 30(卷), null(期), (null页)
The dromedary is able to adapt to the hostility of the desert environment by valorizing the vegetation produced there. In recent years, it attracted renewed interest, given the quality of its products and its physiological characteristics, which make this species one of the most appropriate for climate change adaptation. However, references on its breeding performances, and particularly on the demographic parameters in the natural systems where it is raised, remain limited. This study proposes to provide some demographic elements by using a retrospective method to determine these parameters over two successive years, in 122 herds located in the M'Hamid El Ghizlane area, in Central-Eastern Morocco. Results demonstrated an important annual variability of the demographic parameters, impacted by rangeland feed availability, which is determined by the annual level of rainfall and its monthly distribution. The results also emphasized the limited productivity of herds, as it did not exceed in average one camel calf per three mated she-camels. The results also showed limited milk yield given the variability in rangeland feed biomass and the long distances between production spots and consumption centers. With regard to feed supplementation, date wastes and subsidized barley grain are commonly used. Veterinary treatments are rare given the limited incomes of breeders. The main production remains calf crop, as milk sales are limited. Very few breeders also rent adult males for touristic purposes. In summary, the results confirm significant margins of improvement in the productivity of camel breeding, particularly by a follow-up of reproduction practices, currently focused on self-consumption and capitalization. The margins generated do not allow families who breed camels to obtain sufficient incomes.