UAE looks to its camels to meet local demand

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.

cmalek@thenational.ae