Evaluation of the practice and contribution of sheep breeding and camel milk to the income of camel drivers in the peri-urban area of N'Djamena (Tchad)

Camel drivers living in the peri-urban area of Sahelian cities carry out several economic activities. These activities can have an impact on techno-economic practice of livestock. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2018 to assess the practice and contribution of sheep breeding and camel milk to the income of camel drivers in the peri-urban area of N'Djamena. It affected 42 sedentary camel drivers (27.6%). Young camel drivers (31.52 ± 9.3 years old) raise a mixed herd. Arab sheep is exploited for the subsistence. Its productivity is improved by monitoring reproduction, breeding selection (format) and supplementation. A family workforce and salaried shepherds ensure manage and sell. Camels walk during the day under the control of a young camel driver. Camel is milked manually by a woman and/or a man. The demand for sheep on the market is higher than that of goats and camels. The contribution rate of the average annual income of sheep sold (ScoreAISSm) is 51.2 ± 23.6% of the total average annual income from breeding (ScoreTAIBm) (1960187 ± 1028966 CFA francs). This rate is high in Group A households not selling camel milk compared to Group 2 (p<0.01). Average annual income from the sale of camel milk (ScoreCMm) provides the daily expenses of the household in Group B. The correlations between the number of women–ScoreTAIB and the number of women–ScoreCMm are positive (p<0.01). Depending on opportunities offered by the place of sedentarisation, camel drivers develop strategies to better meet the urban market demand while maintaining a pastoral way of life.