New Camel Farm in Al Ain

The farm’s construction work started a year back and is about to be completed in a period of three months,
he said. Sreedhar said the aim of the farm is to accommodate the new camel herd. He said Al Ain Dairy was the first to supply camel milk in bottles seven years back.

“To increase camel milk production, Al Ain Dairy budgeted to get a new camel herd,” Sreedhar added, “At the moment Al Ain Dairy has 680 camels. We are producing almost 1,800 litres of fresh milk per day on an average,
he added.

Sreedhar said, “The actual demand for camel milk is quite high. The UAE requires almost 5,000 litres a day and our sales forecast is also quite high at around 3,000 litres per day. To produce all the other products like cheese we are really getting short of milk. We have done research and developing on camel milk products by considering local Arabian heritage preferences.”

He added that with the new budget of 2010, the farm will buy more camels to reach the target of 3,000 litres per day.

Benefits of camel milk

Camel milk is naturally low in fat

Has 40 per cent less cholesterol than cow milk

Higher antimicrobial protein — lactoferrin — which increases immunity

High Mineral content — sodium, potassium, magnesium, iodine rich in vitamin C

Contains natural insulin to treat diabetes type-1

250ml camel milk a day improves blood glucose levels

Good for people who have allergy and lactose intolerance

Calcium rich — good for pregnant women and to prevent osteoporosis (healthy bones)

Has a natural moisturising agent elastin protein — good for
the skin

Good for bones, nails, hair, teeth and skin because of the high content of calcium, vitamins and minerals.

Camel milk is rich in leucine amino acid which is important for muscle structure

Camel milk is the closest to breast milk

lanamahdi@khaleejtimes.com