Gujarat & Rajasthan Collaborate on Pan‑India Camel Milk Plan for Medicinal Use
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During a ‘Sahkar Samvaad’ event in Ahmedabad marking International Cooperative Year, Union Home Minister Amit Shah emphasized the emergence of camel milk as a valuable medicinal resource. He revealed that four Ayurvedic companies are engaged in rigorous studies to explore camel milk’s therapeutic potential, with one already completing research into its efficacy for specific ailments.
Responding to a request from Miralben Rabari, a member of the Camel Breeder Maldhari Cooperative Society in Kutch, Shah confirmed that both Gujarat and Rajasthan governments are collaborating to develop a national collection and distribution plan. The scheme aims to systematically gather milk from breeders, align it with verified medicinal uses, and ensure it fetches premium prices, thus incentivizing breed conservation.
Shah linked the project to wildlife conservation, recalling a warning from Nagaur about camels nearing extinction. He noted that fair remuneration through medicinal valuation would encourage breeders to maintain and grow their herds, helping to preserve declining indigenous camel breeds.
The announcement coincides with growing global interest in camel milk for its supposed benefits against autism, diabetes, immune disorders, and other illnesses. In India, Kutch-based Amul and enterprises like Aadvik Foods have already established camel milk collection, pasteurization, and packaging systems—yielding extra income for rural families.
This national plan seeks to integrate breeders within cooperatives, add scientific validation, and expand marketing both domestically and potentially internationally. The goal: equipping camel-herding communities with sustainable livelihoods while promoting camel milk as a recognized nutraceutical.
In summary, Amit Shah’s announcement heralds a strategic fusion of traditional pastoral livelihoods, Ayurvedic science, and market-driven conservation, framing camel milk—once niche—as India’s next frontier in cooperative dairy and rural economic models.
