The purpose of this study is to conduct a cost-benefit analysis of camel breeding and identify the main obstacles facing the camel production systems in order to achieve sustainable development of livestock production in Egypt. This leads to increase the production rate and the per capita share of animal protein in an effort to partially fill Egypt's red meat deficit using low-cost alternatives that are adaptable to harsh climatic changes. The researcher obtained the data from two main sources: 1) drafting a questionnaire form for a sample of 189 camel breeders, and 2) the periodic bulletins of animal production, Economic Affairs Sector, Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation.
The results of the field study revealed that 62.5% of breeders in South Sinai perform other professions besides animal production, whereas in the Shalateen, around 89% of breeders rely on grazing as the only source of income. The camel production systems are classified into two main systems, the rangelands, with or without supplementation, and the intensive system (in-door). The results indicated that the grazing-dependent system was the most profitable due to its low costs. However, the feeding cost was around 750 and 450 LE/head/month for the intensive and semi-intensive system, respectively.
The applied study revealed significant correlations between the breeding cost and each of the return and the development/increase of livestock production, and the return and the sustainable development. The study recommended that investors/companies/ businessmen learn more about the economic feasibility of breeding camels and incorporate it into their investment plans