research project
In the drylands of the Horn of Africa, camels and camel products offer growing opportunities to address hunger and poverty, support women and vulnerable youth through economic opportunities and jobs, and help overcome cross-border conflicts.
While camels are well adapted to harsh environments, major knowledge gaps remain around their health, genetics and productivity. Between 2005 and 2025, there were at least 10 documented outbreaks of “undiagnosed” or “mysterious” diseases across Kenya, Somalia, and Ethiopia, posing risks to animal health, public health and regional trade. Moreover, in Kenya, it is estimated that camel milk producers lose up to 50% of their milk due to poor hygiene, limited storage facilities, and inadequate transport infrastructure. Reducing these losses could significantly increase incomes across the value chain while improving product quality and consumer safety.
This project aims to generate foundational evidence and partnerships needed to strengthen informal camel-derived food markets in frontier geographies across northern Kenya, Ethiopia, and Somalia.
It will deliver rapid value chain diagnostics and co-develop action plans that identify priority investments and innovations aimed at improving inclusivity, promoting peace, and widening job opportunities in informal markets.
Running from June to December 2026, the project will:
- Structure evidence and conduct a market landscape review of camel value chains as a catalytic opportunity for women and youth agribusiness in Northern Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia.
- Organize a cross- border camel caravan as an instrument for environmental peace building among the cross-border communities in Kenya and Ethiopia. The caravan is a three-day event that focuses on peace and security, environmental conservation, tree planting, food festival, and knowledge sharing (among pastoralists, local communities, leaders and regional stakeholders)
- Co-convene a community of practice workshop to take stock of camel research priorities, constraints, capacity needs and ways to support camel products value chains across the Horn of Africa.
The project is led by the International Livestock Research Institute.
More
Tahira Mohamed Opinion piece: As the climate changes, camels offer stability in the Horn of Africa (Jun 2026)
Contact: Tahira Mohamed