Typology of dairy camel farms in the Ouargla region

Abstract

This research aims to analyze the camel production systems in the Ouargla region of the Algerian Sahara. Questionnaires were used to collect data from 70 camel farmers, focusing on aspects like the breeders' socioeconomic status, herd structure and composition, breeding management, and the products and income derived from dromedaries. Through the application of multiple correspondence factorial analysis (MCA), principal correspondence analysis (PCA) and hierarchical ascendant classification (HAC), a typology was established. The findings revealed that meat production farming was predominant, while dairy camel farming systems demonstrated substantial economic and social significance. They are an agro-pastoral output and may therefore be a model for sustainable dairy camel farming, especially in arid regions.