Sustain MENA: Rethinking Food Systems in Arid Regions — Insights from Dr. Raziq Kakar
As part of its Sustain MENA project, DairyNews.today continues to explore how businesses and food systems across the region are adapting to increasing environmental and economic pressure. In this interview, Dr. Raziq Kakar—camelogist, ethnoecologist and specialist in traditional livestock systems—shares his perspective on why locally adapted approaches, indigenous knowledge and resilient production models are becoming critical for the future of food systems in MENA.
From your perspective, how have recent developments in the MENA region affected businesses and food systems operating in arid and vulnerable environments?
Recent developments across the MENA region have underscored the limitations of food systems heavily dependent on imports and high external inputs. These conditions highlight the urgent need for policies and business models that are locally adapted to arid ecosystems. Effective strategies must think globally while acting locally, prioritizing native genetic resources, practices, and production systems suited to extreme heat and water scarcity.
Camels, for example, represent a strategic asset: they require minimal water, efficiently convert native shrubs into nutritious milk & meat, remain productive under harsh climatic conditions, longer reproductive life, and operate with limited infrastructure. Integrating camel-based dairy/meat systems into food, climate, and rural development policies can significantly strengthen regional resilience and long-term food security.
What are the main challenges that companies and producers in the region are currently facing on the ground?
Producers and companies are confronting a convergence of structural challenges, including acute water scarcity, rising temperatures, soil degradation, and growing dependence on imported feed, workforce, skilled hands, and technology. Many prevailing production models are poorly aligned with the realities of arid environments, leading to escalating costs and reduced resilience.
Additionally, the insufficient integration of traditional ecological knowledge into policy, investment, and governance frameworks undermines sustainability. Addressing these barriers requires regulatory and financial systems that actively support locally adapted, resource-efficient, and ecosystem-based production approaches.
How are businesses adapting to ongoing uncertainty and what shifts in strategy or operations do you see?
In response to uncertainty, many businesses are moving toward simpler, more localized, and resilient operational models. There is a noticeable departure from high-input, import-dependent systems toward production approaches that work in harmony with local ecosystems. This includes reducing water and energy use, prioritizing climate-resilient native genetic resources such as camels, and designing food systems capable of withstanding climate volatility and supply-chain disruptions. Flexibility and ecological alignment are increasingly seen as strategic assets.
In your view, what role do traditional knowledge and locally adapted systems play in helping businesses remain resilient in such conditions?
Traditional knowledge and locally adapted systems are essential pillars of resilience. Developed and refined over centuries, they offer context-specific solutions that optimize the use of local resources while enhancing climate adaptability. When combined thoughtfully with modern science and quality standards, these systems reduce dependence on fragile external inputs, improve operational stability, strengthen community trust, and support long-term sustainability. In volatile environments, this integration provides businesses with a durable and credible competitive advantage.
Can you share specific examples of practical solutions or approaches that have helped companies or communities successfully navigate these challenges?
Several practical solutions demonstrate the viability of locally adapted systems. Camel-based dairy operations in the UAE offer a strong example, utilizing animals naturally suited to heat and water scarcity, feeding on native vegetation rather than imported fodder (but not at large farms), and operating with minimal infrastructure (no cooling or bedding systems). Some producers have transitioned to open-range or semi-natural systems,
reducing cooling and energy demands while improving animal health and productivity.
Others are blending traditional grazing knowledge with modern processing and quality assurance, creating low-input, climate-resilient production models capable of enduring environmental and logistical shocks.
Do you see any new opportunities emerging for the region despite the current situation?
Despite current challenges, meaningful opportunities are emerging through a shift in priorities. The region holds significant potential for ecological restoration, regenerative and climate-smart agriculture, water-sensitive urban development, and nature-based livelihoods. These pathways can generate employment, restore degraded ecosystems, and enhance food and water security. With growing public awareness and supportive policy alignment, nature restoration can evolve from an environmental imperative into a powerful socio-economic opportunity for the region.
Recent developments across the MENA region have underscored the limitations of food systems heavily dependent on imports and high external inputs. These conditions highlight the urgent need for policies and business models that are locally adapted to arid ecosystems. Effective strategies must think globally while acting locally, prioritizing native genetic resources, practices, and production systems suited to extreme heat and water scarcity.
Camels, for example, represent a strategic asset: they require minimal water, efficiently convert native shrubs into nutritious milk & meat, remain productive under harsh climatic conditions, longer reproductive life, and operate with limited infrastructure. Integrating camel-based dairy/meat systems into food, climate, and rural development policies can significantly strengthen regional resilience and long-term food security.
Producers and companies are confronting a convergence of structural challenges, including acute water scarcity, rising temperatures, soil degradation, and growing dependence on imported feed, workforce, skilled hands, and technology. Many prevailing production models are poorly aligned with the realities of arid environments, leading to escalating costs and reduced resilience.
Additionally, the insufficient integration of traditional ecological knowledge into policy, investment, and governance frameworks undermines sustainability. Addressing these barriers requires regulatory and financial systems that actively support locally adapted, resource-efficient, and ecosystem-based production approaches.
How are businesses adapting to ongoing uncertainty and what shifts in strategy or operations do you see?
In response to uncertainty, many businesses are moving toward simpler, more localized, and resilient operational models. There is a noticeable departure from high-input, import-dependent systems toward production approaches that work in harmony with local ecosystems. This includes reducing water and energy use, prioritizing climate-resilient native genetic resources such as camels, and designing food systems capable of withstanding climate volatility and supply-chain disruptions. Flexibility and ecological alignment are increasingly seen as strategic assets.
In your view, what role do traditional knowledge and locally adapted systems play in helping businesses remain resilient in such conditions?
Traditional knowledge and locally adapted systems are essential pillars of resilience. Developed and refined over centuries, they offer context-specific solutions that optimize the use of local resources while enhancing climate adaptability. When combined thoughtfully with modern science and quality standards, these systems reduce dependence on fragile external inputs, improve operational stability, strengthen community trust, and support long-term sustainability. In volatile environments, this integration provides businesses with a durable and credible competitive advantage.
Can you share specific examples of practical solutions or approaches that have helped companies or communities successfully navigate these challenges?
Several practical solutions demonstrate the viability of locally adapted systems. Camel-based dairy operations in the UAE offer a strong example, utilizing animals naturally suited to heat and water scarcity, feeding on native vegetation rather than imported fodder (but not at large farms), and operating with minimal infrastructure (no cooling or bedding systems). Some producers have transitioned to open-range or semi-natural systems,
reducing cooling and energy demands while improving animal health and productivity.
Others are blending traditional grazing knowledge with modern processing and quality assurance, creating low-input, climate-resilient production models capable of enduring environmental and logistical shocks.
Do you see any new opportunities emerging for the region despite the current situation?
Despite current challenges, meaningful opportunities are emerging through a shift in priorities. The region holds significant potential for ecological restoration, regenerative and climate-smart agriculture, water-sensitive urban development, and nature-based livelihoods. These pathways can generate employment, restore degraded ecosystems, and enhance food and water security. With growing public awareness and supportive policy alignment, nature restoration can evolve from an environmental imperative into a powerful socio-economic opportunity for the region.
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