For centuries, the camel has been the lifeblood of Somalia’s pastoralist culture — a steadfast companion that has fed families, carried goods across vast deserts, and stood proudly in the nation’s folklore. But today, on the dusty outskirts of Mogadishu, this age-old symbol is at the center of a modern agricultural transformation that could redefine Somali farming.
A New Kind of Camel Farm
On a breezy Wednesday morning in mid-June, the Associated Press visited Beder Camel Farm, one of a growing number of camel dairies emerging around the Somali capital.
Here, dozens of camels wander sandy paddocks, some chewing fresh fodder under the watch of herders. In a nearby shed, workers carefully milk the animals, collecting the frothy yield in sanitized containers. This is not the image of the roaming nomadic herds that dominate Somalia’s countryside — it’s a glimpse into a controlled, technology-driven approach to camel milk production.
Demand for camel milk is rising fast, fueled by Somali entrepreneurs who see untapped potential in a resource as old as the nation itself.
Somalia’s Camel Capital
Somalia is home to more than 7 million camels, the largest population in the world. Yet, until recently, only a small fraction of their milk ever made it to urban markets.
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