The Resilient Camel: A Tale of Adaptation and Hope

A camel herder milking his camels. File Photo

In the northeastern corner of Somalia, a transformation is taking place—one rooted in resilience and adaptability. Dahir Abdullahi Ali, a 40-year-old camel herder, has found a novel way to sustain his family of nine amidst the harsh realities of life in the Galgadud region. After enduring three long years of relentless drought, Dahir made the pivotal decision to migrate his herd of camels to the outskirts of Adado town, where he began selling milk, dramatically altering his family’s fortunes.

Like Dahir, countless pastoralists in this region have relocated their livestock to urban areas, seeking shelter from the increasingly unpredictable climate that has rendered traditional grazing practices increasingly untenable. Imagine a family whose life has revolved around the rhythm of the seasons, each new day punctuated by the need for water and pasture. For Dahir and his peers, this was not just a shift; it was a lifeline.

Dahir milks his 30 camels twice each day, extracting around 46 liters every morning. The financial returns are modest yet impactful. After covering the costs of fodder and water, he nets about $20 daily. This amount, while seemingly small, holds the power to change lives—a true testament to the old adage that even modest beginnings can lead to monumental shifts.

“This money has helped us escape the poverty we’ve endured for so long,” he revealed during a conversation with Radio Ergo, his voice tinged with a mix of relief and disbelief. This resounding sentiment echoes through the hearts of many who have walked a similar path. After relocating his herd in February, Dahir transformed his family’s dining habits from one meager meal a day to a fuller routine of three balanced meals.

His journey began in the rural landscape of Do’oley, where whispers among community members painted an optimistic portrait of keeping camels in town. When he arrived, the sight was disheartening—his camels were weak and milk production was scarce. With a stroke of practicality, he purchased fodder on credit for a month, a decision that quickly revitalized both his animals and his spirits. “I’ve spent my whole life raising livestock,” he reflected. “But this is the most profitable time I’ve ever had. This method is better for both the animals and us.”

As the rains fall at last, Dahir feels no inclination to return to the countryside. The notion of adapting his camels back to their former life sends waves of worry through him. “My dream is to grow this herd to 70 camels and keep raising them here,” he confided. The sentiment resonates deeply: Who would want to return to a life of uncertainty where survival is a daily struggle?

With his newfound income, Dahir has made substantial progress, whittling down a $1,000 debt to a mere $350. For the first time, he enrolled six of his children in school, something he could only dream of before. Their future, he understands, rests in education, and he is determined to do right by them. Additionally, their 60 goats are slowly recovering from the drought, thanks to regular feed purchased from his milk sales. Pieces of his old life—the days of tirelessly chasing animals across the unforgiving landscapes—seem like distant memories.

“This new way gives me hope for my animals’ future,” Dahir expressed with genuine gratitude, reflecting a spirit tempered by hardship and hope. It is a sentiment not lost on others, such as Kafi Abdullahi Adan, who also embraced this transformative approach. Kafi made a similar leap earlier this year, bringing 50 camels into Adado, and reports that the income has profoundly changed his family’s life. “Life has improved a lot,” he remarked, “We went through very difficult times, but now things are much better.” Yet, he acknowledges that with newfound income comes the fresh challenge of managing those profits effectively—a complex dance of responsibility.

Kafi’s current herd represents a fraction of what he once owned. The impact of previous droughts saw his numbers dwindle to 50 camels from 60 and 180 goats down to 0. “If I hadn’t started this method, my family and livestock would have been in danger,” he stated, witnessing firsthand the desperation for pure camel milk and seizing the opportunity that these challenging times presented.

The convergence of rainy season and hope brings optimism, allowing him to envision more sustainable grazing options nearby, potentially slashing feed costs and expanding income opportunities. Abdinur Hassan Osman, an economics lecturer at Galmudug University, points out that this trend presents opportunities not only for herders but also for women and non-pastoralist communities engaged in milk trading, signaling a broader economic shift. “This practice offers a solution to the challenges caused by poor pasture and frequent droughts,” he noted. “It helps families survive tough times and provides stable income from milk sales.”

Just as the pastoralists adapt, so too do the townsfolk. Women selling milk now earn up to $5 a day, representing a significant economic change in their lives. No longer confined to rural life, camels are evolving into key players in urban economies, ushering in new opportunities for both herders and local entrepreneurs alike. “Pastoralists must adapt to climate change,” Abdinur emphasized. “This new form of farming is one of the most efficient and profitable ways to sustain a living from livestock.”

It’s this weave of challenges and adaptations that narrates a story of resilience—one that goes beyond survival, and into the realm of thriving.

Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring