Characterization and significance of Raigi camel, a livestock breed of the Pashtoon pastoral people in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

The Raigi camel in Pakistan and Afghanistan is an indigenous multipurpose breed with considerable milk production potential (6-10 l/day) under ordinary grazing conditions on salt bushes and brackish water. The milk is used locally for drying (Kurth) because of its high total solids. Meat, wool and transport are additional products. Body measures for the Raigi camel are (in average) wither height 164 cm, rump length 139 cm, sternal pad distance from the ground 90 cm, canon bone circumference 20 cm, breast width 43 cm and the estimated live weight is 374 kg. The Raigi camel represents a valuable genetic resource for present and future food production. Immediate measures are necessary to ensure its survival as a separate gene-pool. These measures include the conservation of the habitat ecosystem and the recognition of the rights of the Pashtoon pastoral people to make their living on livestock keeping in the Khurasan region.