Work Packages

The diverse, cross-disciplinary tasks in the implementation of the project are summarized in task 1.1 (General administration & scientific coordination), task 1.2 (Technical implementation)  and task 1.3 (Communication strategy).

Task 2.1 Seasonal husbandry, breeding and feeding management

In this task, we assess managerial factors that have a potential effect on the extracted milk yield and reproductive performance of camels (task 2.2), such as camel herd size and structure, herd mobility, watering frequency, feeding management, housing type, breeding and culling decisions. Data is recorded in individual interviews of men or women of the participating camel rearing households in Borana and East Shewa zones from June-September 2024.

Task 2.2 Camel performances

Following the interviews (task 2.1), the milk that is extracted manually is measured at all milkings on two consecutive days once in the main wet season of 2024 and dry season of 2024/25 in selected camel herds. Alongside milk measurements, the individual reproductive performance of each studied female is assessed through collecting information on age at maturity and at first calving, calving interval, number of services until conception, calving difficulties and other reproductive disorders and number of parities. Besides, animal factors with potential effect on both, extracted milk and reproductive performance of female camels, are also assessed.

Task 2.3 Camels' most preferred forage feed and their nutritional profile

For each study site, focus group discussions with purposively selected experienced camel herders are conducted in 2025 to identify the most preferred forage species by camels. The perceived importance is used to rank the identified species. Following the FGD, field observations of grazing camels, and sampling and subsequent laboratory analysis of the forage species most frequently consumed by the camels in the main dry and wet seasons of 2025 / 2026 are performed to confirm camel herders’ perceptions about camels’ preferences for forage species.

Task 3.1 Camel health care practices

Seasonal health care management (treatment, vaccination) of female camels and their calves will be assessed in interviews of men or women of the participating camel rearing households from June-September 2024. Information on vaccinations, other health treatments, mortalities due to disease, veterinary service providers, types of drugs used, source of drugs, knowledge of drug use and of food safety risks posed by drug residues in camel milk is collected. Calf health management is also assessed.

Task 3.2 Camel cow- / calf health conditions

Following the interviews on camel health care management (task 3.1), the subsample of households and lactating camels (and their calves) is examined for the general health condition by recording body condition, disease symptoms, illness, ectoparasites and gastro-intestinal parasite infections in the main wet and dry season in 2024 and 2025. We also examine feces to determine the individual gastro-intestinal parasite load. Furthermore, udder health problems and mastitis are assessed in the lactating females.

Task 4.1 Organization and functionality of the camel milk VC

The value chain approach will be used to identify the core processes of camel milk value chain including input supply, production, milk processing, trading, distribution, milk consumption, and camel milk marketing and marketing channels. A SWOT analysis is conducted to examine the existing potential of the camel milk value chain and identify future directions on how to sustainably develop camel milk marketing.

Task 4.2 Income generation

We will assess the total milk production, amount used for home consumption and sale, and total household sale prices in the main wet and long dry season of 2025/26 from the participating camel rearing households to estimate the income generated from camel milk marketing. Furthermore, seasonal purchase and consumer prices of fresh camel milk along with the total seasonal amount of milk that is purchased and sold are assessed. The collected data is used to calculate the market margin, the income generated along the value chain, the total gross marketing margin, the producer’s margin and the net marketing margin of camel milk.

Task 4.3 Milk handling practices

Milking, milk handling practices and hygienic measures are investigated along the milk value chain. Knowledge and knowledge gaps of producers and value chain actors on camel milk hygiene and safety are assessed and producers and actors / nodes with high and low milk hygiene practices have been identified to devise intervention measures that will be test implemented in the last project year (task 5.4).

Task 4.4 Microbial contamination of camel milk

In this task, SUSCAMI will assess the microbial quality and safety of camel milk along the milk value chains. The microbial quality and safety of camel milk from farm gate to the final market destination is determined and its association with hygienic practices is confirmed. Furthermore, occurrence of resistant bacterial strains to commonly used veterinary drugs is determined.

Task 5.1 Capacity building

In task 5.1, trainings and extension materials are provided to camel milk producers and other actors along the camel milk value chain to improve their knowledge and practices. We use participatory ‘applied field research’ involving camel herders, household members and relevant actors along the milk value chain as well as formal training programs based on a ‘train the trainer’ approach. Trainees are trained on improved camel feeding and health care, as well as hygienic milking and milk handling.

Task 5.2 'Best practice' feeding interventions

Task 5.2 examines ‘best practice’ feeding interventions that could improve camel milk production. A ‘best practice’ intervention program is introduced to improve skills of camel herders related to better feeding strategies, and education in nutrition of female camels. The most promising intervention measures are selected based on the findings of WP2, and test-implemented in selected camel herds, to evaluate impacts of trainings and ‘best practice’ feeding interventions on improving camel milk offtake, as well as knowledge and attitude of producers.

Task 5.3 'Best practice' health care interventions

The intervention measures related to camel health management focus on the reduction of gastro-intestinal parasites and udder health problems. In the udder health management of camels, we will adopt the three main principles of mastitis control: Elimination of infection from mastitis cases, prevention of new infection and monitoring of udder health status. Similar to task 5.2, the impact of animal health interventions is assessed in selected camel herds by determining adoption rate, the change of attitude, as well as changes in camel performances and health status.

Task 5.4 'Best practice' milk handling interventions

Intervention measures and trainings in task 5.4 focus on hygienic milk production and handling and food safety concepts along the whole milk value chain. They are discussed and jointly defined with members of camel-rearing households responsible for milking, transporting and selling of milk, and other key actors along the milk value chain. The most promising intervention measures are implemented using a participatory research approach to assess their impacts on knowledge and attitude related to hygienic milk production and handling along the milk value chain and to confirm the associated improvement in microbiological quality of milk.