PROSPECTIVE STUDY ON CAMEL BREEDING IN THE PROVINCE OF BECHAR

Abstract

A prospective study on camel breeding was carried out in the province of Bechar from January to May 2023. For this, we consulted the logs of the agricultural services department, and a questionnaire was sent to 10 camel farmers in order to identify several parameters such as: breeding system, camel population, feeding and the main parameters of camel reproduction. Our results showed an estimated camel population of 12 243 head spread over 6 communes, with a large number (3865; 31.65%) in Abadla and a small number (149; 1.21%) in Knadssa. According to (62%) of camel breeders, the type of livestock system most practised in the Bechar region is semi-sedentary. Five camel populations were observed in the study area. (85%) of survey respondents indicated that camels use wood resources. A higher rate of water frequency (60%) was observed in summer. Concerning reproductive parameters, (84%) of camel breeders said that females are breed at the age of 3years, whereas (56%) indicate that males are bred later at the age of 5 to 6 years. However, (67%) of camel breeders indicate that the period of the calving interval is between 1 and 2 years, (88%) say that weaning is between 7 and 8 months and (75%) report that dry-off is at 8 months of lactation period. Finally, our study has clarified the main characteristics of camel breeding in the wilaya of Bechar. Other studies on this subject should be set up in other regions of southern Algeria