L'élevage du dromadaire dans le Sahara Septentrional : un système en pleine mutation. -Cas de la région de Ouargla -

Abstract

The main objective of this study is to delineate the evolutionary trajectory of camel farming systems within the Ouargla region. Consequently, our aim is twofold: first, to pinpoint the principal factors that have shaped the development of these farming systems, and second, to analyze the strategies implemented by camel farmers to bolster the resilience and sustainability of farming. Our methodology is based on a systemic approach, taking into account the different components of camel breeding systems and the interactions between them. To achieve our objective and gather as much information as possible on the camel farming situation, we approached 71 camel farmers (29%) in addition to operators active in the Ouargla region, spread over six typical communes, where surveys were carried out using a semi-directive interview guide. Field investigations revealed that camel breeding has undergone radical change in terms of practices and movement patterns, influenced by a combination of socio-economic, technical, climatic, socio-psychological and political factors, all of which have contributed to these developments. According to the camel farmers' breeding strategies, and the multivariate analyses (AFCM, CAH and Chi2 tests), we identified four groups of camel farmers: i) 38 (54 %) are fatteners of camels and breeders of small ruminants to diversify their income. ii) 18 (25 %) are fatteners of young animals and breeders of racing camels. iii) 7 (10 %) are multi-skilled, engaging in both meat and milk production, in addition to various activities such as saddling. iv) 8 (11%) are young Meharists, specializing in breeding for racing and folklore shows. Furthermore, our investigation delineated three distinct feeding systems tailored for camels: the grass-fed system optimized for meat production, the temporary stalling system designed to facilitate both meat and milk production, and the permanent stall breeding system specifically geared towards racing events and Mehari shows. Confronted with ecological challenges in recent years, such as droughts and a decline in natural vegetation cover, camel farmers have adopted supplementary feeding practices to meet the nutritional requirements of their animals. Additionally, they have implemented a rotational grazing strategy, dividing their herds into two groups (productive and non-productive), and alternating between grazing on natural pastures and utilizing peri-urban campsites. These practices are aimed at ensuring the resilience and sustainability of camel farming in Ouargla, but are insufficient without the intervention and support of the competent authorities to aspire to further improvement. Today, the dromedary's integration into the daily lives of local populations testifies to its status as an exceptional animal, with a place in both the past and the present, and promising to play a crucial role in the future.

تهدف هذه الدراسة إلى تحديد التغيرات في مسارات مربّي الإبل في منطقة ورقلة واكتشاف العوامل المؤثرة في هذه التحولات، بالإضافة إلى استعراض أهم الطرق والاستراتيجيات التي يتبعونها لضمان مرونة واستدامة هذه التربية. اعتمدت هذه الدراسة على المنهج النظامي الذي يأخذ في الاعتبار أهم أقطاب النظام وتفاعلاتها. للوصول إلى أهدافنا الرئيسية وضمان جمع أكبر قدر من المعلومات حول وضع تربية الإبل الحالي في منطقة ورقلة، تواصلنا مع 17 مربي إبل )يمثلون 92 % من إجمالي مربي الإبل في المنطقة( موزعين على ست بلديات، حيث تم استجوابهم باستخدام استبيان نصف موجه . كشفت التحقيقات الميدانية أن تربية الإبل قد شهدت العديد من التغيرات في التوجهات ونمط التنقل. وأظهرت الدراسة أن العوامل الاجتماعية، الاقتصادية، التقنية، البيئية، النفسية، والسياسية كانت من بين أهم العوامل التي ساهمت في هذه التحولات. استناداً إلى الاستراتيجيات المتبعة من قبل المربين ومن خلال التحليلات الإحصائية متعددة المتغيرات ) AFCM ، CAH ، Testes Khi2 (، تم تحديد أربع فئات من مربي الإبل حسب توجهاتهم. .i ( 83 54 %( منهم مهتمون بالتكاثر والتسمين وتربية المجترات الصغيرة )الأغنام والماعز( لتنوع مصادرهم. ii. ( 73 25 %( يركزون على تسمين الإبل حديثة النشأة بالإضافة إلى تربية إبل المهارى الموجهة للسباقات. iii 7 ( 10 %( من متعددي التوجهات حيث يربون الإبل لأغراض اللحم، الحليب وسباقات المهارى. iv 8 ( 11 %( يربون إبل المهارى لغرض السباقات والعروض الفلكلورية . بالإضافة إلى ذلك، يمارس هؤلاء المربون ثلاثة أنظمة تغذية لتربية إبلهم: نظام انتشاري للتكاثر والتسمين، نظام نصف مستقر للتسمين وإنتاج الحليب، ونظام دائم الاستقرار لتربية إبل المهارى للسباقات والعروض الفلكلورية . ولضمان استدامة تربية الإبل في منطقة ورقلة وتقليص المعوقات التي تواجهها هذه التربية في ظل الجفاف والتغيرات المناخية، يلجأ معظم المربين إلى استراتيجية تزويد قطعانهم بالمكملات الغذائية، بالإضافة إلى تقسيمهم إلى فئتين )المنتجة والغير المنتجة( والتناوب بين المراعي ومناطق التربية في المناطق الحضرية لتحسين إنتاجهم. ومع ذلك، تبقى هذه الاستراتيجيات غير كافية لضمان استدامة التربية دون تدخل السلطات المعنية لتحسين وضع الإبل في ورقلة . أخيراً، أثبتت هذه الدراسة أن تربية الإبل لعبت منذ القدم دوراً مهماً في حياة السكان المحليين، وتواصل لعب هذا الدور حالياً، وستكون لها تأثير كبير بلا شك في المستقبل .

The main objective of this study is to delineate the evolutionary trajectory of camel farming systems within the Ouargla region. Consequently, our aim is twofold: first, to pinpoint the principal factors that have shaped the development of these farming systems, and second, to analyze the strategies implemented by camel farmers to bolster the resilience and sustainability of farming. Our methodology is based on a systemic approach, taking into account the different components of camel breeding systems and the interactions between them. To achieve our objective and gather as much information as possible on the camel farming situation, we approached 71 camel farmers (29%) in addition to operators active in the Ouargla region, spread over six typical communes, where surveys were carried out using a semi-directive interview guide. Field investigations revealed that camel breeding has undergone radical change in terms of practices and movement patterns, influenced by a combination of socio-economic, technical, climatic, socio-psychological and political factors, all of which have contributed to these developments. According to the camel farmers' breeding strategies, and the multivariate analyses (AFCM, CAH and Chi2 tests), we identified four groups of camel farmers: i) 38 (54%) are fatteners of camels and breeders of small ruminants to diversify their income. ii) 18 (25 %) are fatteners of young animals and breeders of racing camels. iii) 7 (10 %) are multi-skilled, engaging in both meat and milk production, in addition to various activities such as saddling. iv) 8 (11%) are young Meharists, specializing in breeding for racing and folklore shows. Furthermore, our investigation delineated three distinct feeding systems tailored for camels: the grass-fed system optimized for meat production, the temporary stalling system designed to facilitate both meat and milk production, and the permanent stall breeding system specifically geared towards racing events and Mehari shows. Confronted with ecological challenges in recent years, such as droughts and a decline in natural vegetation cover, camel farmers have adopted supplementary feeding practices to meet the nutritional requirements of their animals. Additionally, they have implemented a rotational grazing strategy, dividing their herds into two groups (productive and non-productive), and alternating between grazing on natural pastures and utilizing peri-urban campsites. These practices are aimed at ensuring the resilience and sustainability of camel farming in Ouargla, but are insufficient without the intervention and support of the competent authorities to aspire to further improvement. Today, the dromedary's integration into the daily lives of local populations testifies to its status as an exceptional animal, with a place in both the past and the present, and promising to play a crucial role in the future.