We are honoured and very pleased to announce a unique natural cheese making workshop taught by famous ‘Milktrekker’ Trevor Warmedahl from 19.-23. January 2024 and hosted by our partner organization Lokhit Pashu-Palak Sansthan (LPPS) on its scenic campus near Sadri (Rajasthan). Trevor has gained expertise in a multitude of countries, discovering and documenting the often ancient cheese making practices of mainly herders and pastoralists. For those who do not know him, please check out his website  at https://www.sourmilkschool.com/, his absolutely fascinating blog at  https://milktrekker.substack.com/, and his Instagram at milk_trekker. This 5 day workshop will focus on buffalo milk, although camel milk will also be a topic. Cheeses to be made include feta, caciocavallo, ricotta, halloumi and tomme. More detail about the curriculum is here. An added attraction will be the opportunity to meet and interact with the iconic Raika pastoralists and visit their nomadic camel herds. The workshop takes place at the Camel Charisma camel dairy. If you like more information about how to get to the venue, click here. Course fee without accommodation: Rs 30,000 or USD 360 or EURO 335.00 – includes all materials and lunches on all 5 days. Course fee with accommodation on campus and full board: Rs 50,000 or USD 600 or EURO 560. To reserve your seat, please register here  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScdV34NDc75-U_qrepJob9N_DY-ZtxVfIJyLGl0HJONOVv3gg/viewform?usp=sf_link After receiving your application, we will send you a payment link and then confirm your participation. If you have questions, please contact info@camelcharisma.com.

The information brief Accounting for Pastoralists in Mozambique by Jacob Wanyama and Romuald Rutazihana is now available in Portuguese. Agropastoralism is the major form of livestock management in Mozambique. Despite this, it is neglected by the government and development agencies alike. A key problem is a lack of reliable data. Without adequate information, it is impossible to design policies or interventions to address the problems that agropastoralists face. O resumo informativo Valorizando pastoralistas em Moçambique por Jacob Wanyama e Romuald Rutazihana está agora disponível em português. O agropastorilismo é a principal forma de gestão pecuária em Moçambique. Apesar disso, é negligenciado tanto pelo governo quanto pelas agências de fomento. Um problema chave é a falta de dados confiáveis. Sem informação adequada, é impossível desenhar políticas ou intervenções para enfrentar os problemas que os agropastoris enfrentam. View document / Ver documento

The United Nations General Assembly has declared 2024 the International Year of Camelids, making the point that camelids are the main means of subsistence for millions of families who live in the most hostile ecosystems on the planet in over 90 countries, and emphasizing that these animals are essential for food security and nutrition as they are the main source of meat protein and milk for smallholder farmers and indigenous communities in different regions throughout the world. They also provide fibres, organic fertilizer and transport and are indispensable for nomadic livelihoods. This is certainly an appropriate justification, but as of now, there does not seem to be much of a coordinated effort to make the most of the opportunity presented by the IYC. Some background information and thoughts from our perspective can be found in this presentation. We at LPP are all set to highlight the traditional knowledge (TK) of camel pastoralists and its role in maintaining camel biodiversity, as well as develop the concept of 'cruelty-free' camel milk and 'planetary' rather than 'plant-based' diets, together with our partners and social enterprises. Do get in touch if you would like to join this initiative!