http://www.nation.co.ke/Features/smartcompany/Focus%20shifts%20to%20the%20camel%20as%20next%20cash%20cow%20/-/1226/1091116/-/qfj4g6z/-/index.html

Kenya is looking to create processing plants for camel milk and byproducts, some say its a multi-billion dollar market. These plants are all being built in Somali-dominated areas of the country and settlements accessible to the famous Somali camel caravans. Seeing as some 70% of the world's camels roam Somalia alone and another 20% are in the vicinity of Somalia, it should be a good way for the country to rebound economically and rebuild, and even sustain a choke hold on this lucrative trade.

I've always had hope in the great camel species, and Somalia being the world's foremost camel breeding ground, this could be a signal to cash in. Even the Kenyans and Arabs see this massive potential, sometimes I begin to question the famed Somali business psyche if they do everything but tap their own god-given resources for profit.

Why haven't Somaliland or Puntland pounced on this potential cash cow boggles my mind. Camel milk processing factories could help industrialization.

Investors need to try to create a few before the Kenyans gain a monopoly in this industry.

Somalis are very good at simple service businesses, so the moment you introduce the idea of technology, production, industry they fall apart. Its just not our thing unfortunately. A part of me wants to think its for the better. We certainly aren't ready to industrialize yet; could you imagine every clan rushing to drill their lands and sell off all their camels for processing.

Hopefully nobody thinks about it, and after I get the money to finance such a venture, I can go back and make a fortune. :D

Food processing is the most promising industry and barely has it been even acknowledged by officials.

I guess that's the beauty of it for educated Somalis on the outside. We have a unique opportunity to have a massive impact on a country that is starting from scratch in terms of everything. If only more Somalis could get over the civil war hangover and look towards Somalia with a positive light, it really is an amazing country once the guns are silenced.

I agree 100% (although it's not so bad where I am from :))...diaspora is the key needed to open the door for Somali development.

Camel milk tastes pretty good, even better than cow milk, imo. :)

Somalis must be like one of the most lactose tolerant groups in Africa, I've never heard of one who is intolerant to it.

Camel milk tastes pretty good, even better than cow milk, imo. :)

Somalis must be like one of the most lactose tolerant groups in Africa, I've never heard of one who is intolerant to it.

Depends on settlement patterns and the hereditary genes that follow. Both sides of my family are subsistence farmers, they stopped following their camels generations ago and only keep cattle for meat. My grandfather's generation were hardy milk drinkers but my generation and my father's generation are all lactose intolerant. Most Maay-speakers and other deeply rooted southern clans are lactose intolerant, its only northerners and [most] Ogadenis/Kenyan Somalis who tolerate milk so well.