Demand For Camels Soars Among Indian Farmers - Fuel For Tractors Too Expensive To Be An Option - FT

[hatrack]

As the cost of running gas-guzzling tractors soars, even-toed ungulates are making a comeback, raising hopes that a fall in the population of the desert state's signature animal can be reversed.

"It's excellent for the camel population if the price of oil continues to go up because demand for camels will also go up," says Ilse Kohler-Rollefson of the League for Pastoral Peoples and Endogenous Livestock Development. "Two years ago, a camel cost little more than a goat, which is nothing. The price has since trebled."

The shift comes not a moment too soon for a national camel population that has fallen more than 50 per cent over the past decade, to about 450,000, according to government figures.

Market prices for these "ships of the desert", which crashed with the growing affordability of motorised transport, are rising again as oil prices soar. A sturdy male with a life expectancy of 60-80 years now fetches up to Rs40,000 ($973), compared to Rs5,000-Rs10,000 three years ago, according to Hanuwant Singh of the Lokhit Pashu-Palak Sansthan, a non-profit welfare organisation for livestock keepers. Entry-level tractors cost around $4,000.


EDIT

http://inhome.rediff.com/money/2008/may/03camel.htm

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

1. Which could mean...

Growth of demand for petroleum products in India could be reaching a peak.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

2. A camel can live 80 years? Wow! nt

[kestrel91316]

3. They live SIXTY TO EIGHTY YEARS??????

Holy camel! I guess you learn something new every day.......

[NickB79]

4. So, how will this affect crop yields from the land?

The Green Revolution that boosted crop yields in the 70's and 80's was fueled by diesel tractors and hybrid seed. Can yields be maintained when the tractors are replaced by work animals?

[diane in sf]

5. Camel poop should help with the crops