Golestan – Iran's northern Golestan Province has maintained and expanded its Turkmen camel population despite years of drought and declining rangelands, underscoring the breed's resilience to climate challenges, an official said.

 

Reza Nazari, Deputy Director for Livestock Production Improvement at the Golestan Agricultural Organization, said the province is home to about 6,200 one-humped Turkmen dairy camels, ranking 12th nationwide.

 

The herd produces approximately 2,500 metric tons of milk and 270 metric tons of meat annually, supporting regional food security and the livelihoods of livestock producers, he added.

 

Nazari said growing demand for camel milk and dairy products, combined with the breed's ability to thrive in arid conditions with limited feed and water, highlights the importance of preserving and expanding the Turkmen camel's genetic resources.

 

The official added that supporting Turkmen camel breeding remains a priority for the province to boost sustainable livestock production and strengthen the sector's resilience to climate change.