Camel Breeding Farm

Camel Breeding Farm

Camel which is well known by the name of ‘Ship of Desert’ is a crucial species of Desert Ecosystem. It is proficient to tolerate and survive in the dry, hot climate of desert with high solar radiations. It has adapted itself to suit the environment of the place.

It could uphold its life on coarse fodder, salty and thorny bushes. In this matter, Bikaner has long been famous for the excellence of its dromedaries or camel riding. Along with this, camel serves man in many other ways. Like its milk with tallow odor is rich in vitamin c and considered as an important food item. The hair on its chin, are used to make artist’s brush. Its hide is used to prepare various items of visitor’s interest such as plain or embroidered slip-on Mojaries, lampshades, drum, toys and many more decorative items. Its hide is also used to make Kuppas (bags) for storing oil.


Realizing the value of this species the Indian council of agriculture Research has established National Research center on camel. This is a government managed breeding farm and is 8km from the city at Jorbeer, Bikaner. This is one of the largest and unique Camel-breeding farms in Asia that attracts the tourists a lot. This center is world famous for breeding the best camels. The center came into existence on 5th July, 1984 and from then onwards it houses hundreds of camel which are bred generally in winter. The farm extends over 2000 acres of semi arid land. In this farm various experiments related to camels are conducted regularly so as to breed a better variety of camel. The aim of the farm is to encourage the concept of camel rearing and to make the camel an economically viable animal for camel rearers.

Besides this camels of Bikaner are popular for their large size than other breed, thick eyelashes to keep out the sand and these camels are very hairy, particularly on their ear lobes. They are the swiftest among ridding camels. Evidences have been found out that the Mughal Emperor Akbar covered a distance of 1000 Km from Fatehpur Sikri to Ahmadabad in nine days on a Bikaner dromedary. The British army had a camel corps drawn from here during World War I. The Indian Army has a Camel Corps, which has proved most useful in desert warfare.

This farm provides employment to many Indian Raika and Rebari. This is a camel breeder tribe that is in a profession to look after the camels since the ancient time. They are well use to the animal and have now adopted the new methods to take care of the animal. One can enjoy hearing about camels along with camel lore and their breeding from these tribes. According to the research conducted on camel in this center it was found that average riding capacity of a healthy camel is more than 100 km with the speed of about 15 miles per hour in a day. Besides this a healthy camel could carry a weight of about 18 to 20 quintals for more than 4 hours in the desert area without any strain. Planning is going on to promote the camel rearing concept so that it could come out as an economically beneficial option in the region.