TEHRAN - Among the lush and fertile lands in the northwestern region of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Bactrian camels roam the area once again.

The revival of this specific Iranian camelid species takes place in Ardabil city, a bustling capital surrounded by the Moghan plain. A symbol of Ardabil’s cultural heritage, these camels faced the threat of extinction due to changing land use, high cost, and scarcity of fodder.

“Our ancestors cared for the Bactrian camels for generations, motivated not by profit, but by a deep passion for these magnificent animals,” reflects Ashkan Dadjoo, a 28-year-old camel producer. “But sustaining them became increasingly challenging as our pastures shrank, making way for farmlands.”

Recognizing the livelihood and economic potential of these animals, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) with the local Ministry of Agriculture - Jahad, embarked on a transformation of the camelid sector to tap into activities such as agritourism, livestock feed production, wool and milk processing.

FAO’s project centered on the conservation of Bactrian camels, equipping local communities with knowledge on sustainable camel production practices and harnessing the potential of camelid products.  

Ensuring the health of camels

The health and conservation of the Bactrians were first and foremost for the project.

To ensure this species’ continued existence, FAO lent its support to the establishment of the Bactrian Camel Owner Cooperative where camel herders receive proper training, equipment, and tools to care for their animals. For example, FAO provided feeding equipment such as a mill mixer and silage bagger, which allowed herders to produce enough feed for their herd and to earn income from selling supplementary feed. The initiative was vital in ensuring that the camels received sufficient nutrition, essential for their health and long-term productivity.

Additionally, FAO supplied small-scale herders with nutritional supplements, vaccines, and medicines to help improve the well-being of their camels. A study tour to Dubai on camel breeding and advanced reproductive techniques gave valuable insight into embryo freezing and artificial insemination.

The project also provided herders with the knowledge and capacity to capitalize on agritourism opportunities. An agritourism expert and a facilitator who worked closely with local nomads were brought in to teach herders ways to attract tourists interested in traditional camel herding and the cultural heritage of Ardabil. Their guidance on marketing these experiences not only focused on economic benefits but also on the importance of preserving the cultural and environmental significance of the camels.

Moreover, incorporating technology into camel production practices boosted conservation efforts for this unique species. The introduction of the Sareban Yar application, which records the overall health performance of the camels, was customized to include the Bactrian species and thus enabled camel producers to manage their herds efficiently. Microchips were also introduced to identify the camels, helping the government to keep track of the population and further strategic conservation efforts.

“FAO entered the scene when Bactrian camels were on the verge of extinction and made us realize that with unity, we can pave the way toward preventing extinction while generating income,” says Mohammad Shahandeh, a camel producer and participant in the project training. 

Reviving skills

Central to the transformation of Ardabil’s camelid sector were the women of the community, whose traditional weaving skills were also revitalized and enhanced with new technology.

FAO’s initiative provided training and workshops for wool processing. With new equipment such as manual yarn spinning wheels and fabric weaving machines, women can produce higher-quality fabric more quickly than in the past.

The project started with the delivery of camel wool to South Khorasan Province where it was distributed to various workshops for processing. The women spin the processed wool to obtain high-quality yarn which is then used to create assorted wool products such as fabric and socks.

With the market value of processed yarn exceeding the value of raw wool, these processing workshops created a space for the women to utilize their traditional skills, enhancing their livelihood opportunities and empowering them to make economic decisions for themselves.

The revival of Bactrian camels in the Moghan plain not only preserved an important cultural heritage but also prompted a growth in livelihoods, while promoting sustainable production of camelid products for the future. 

©FAO/ Faranak Bakhtiari