Last Updated on October 8, 2023 by Fiza Khurram
In an exemplary analysis, Asif Ali and A. Awan from the Department of Economics and Business Management at the University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences (UVAS) shed light on the special properties of camel milk. The study delves into the distinct flavor, high nutritional profile, and medicinal characteristics that have made camel milk a prized global commodity.
Camel milk has a nutritional profile that is comparable to, if not better than, that of cow milk. With three times the vitamin C concentration of cow’s milk, camel milk is positioned as a powerful source against diseases such as hepatitis, cancer, hypertension, and diabetes. Camel milk contains the bioactive protein lactoferrin, which serves as an antiviral against hepatitis B and C viruses, as well as antioxidant, anti-infectious, and anti-inflammatory effects.
The study stresses the underutilized potential of camel milk, particularly when compared to bovine milk. The study intends to close this research gap by highlighting camel milk’s unique medicinal, anti-diabetic, anti-carcinogenic, and hepatoprotective capabilities, as well as recommending further research.
Consumer approval of pasteurized camel milk was evaluated using a questionnaire distributed at both the Lahore and Ravi campuses, and the responses were qualitatively analyzed with NVIVO. The study emphasizes not just the health benefits of camel milk, but also its economic potential. Camels are now underutilized as a great economic resource. By building a value chain for high-quality camel milk, the project creates a direct link to the economics of poor camel farmers, producing benefits for marginalized producers.
The study predicts that camel milk-based dairy products will appear on grocery shelves in the near future, owing to their promising potential. The findings argue for critical support, notably in marketing, to ensure the long-term viability of this promising industry and to attract future entrepreneurs to enter the camel milk producing business.
