Date Palm and Camel Milk as Sustainable and Resilient Food Sources to Fulfill the UN's SDGs (Goals 2 and 12): A Review

An increasing global population and harsh climate conditions are challenging most crops and contribute to threats of food insecurity. It is crucial to identify food sources that are sustainable and resilient. This review aims to provide insights into how date palm and camels can act as two major resilient and sustainable food sources to meet the requirements of the increasing global population and sustain fragile climatic conditions, especially those prevailing in dry arid regions. The date palms can withstand high temperatures (≈50°C), tolerate high salinity (12 dS m⁻¹), possess innate physiological features to retain water, have coping mechanisms to overcome abiotic stress, and have a shoot system that can absorb ≈200 kg of carbon dioxide per year. Furthermore, date palm fruit can be considered a sustainable food source due to their nutritional benefits and contribution to the circular economy. On the other hand, camels are resilient animals because they have better anatomical, physiological, and behavioral adaptations to harsh climatic conditions. In addition, camel milk and its diversified products offer a multitude of health and nutritional benefits, making it a sustainable food source. Together, date palm and camels align with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (UN-SDGs) 2 and 12 due to their resilience and sustainability in producing nutritious food, their even in adverse climatic conditions. This comprehensive review of utilizing date palm and camels as resilient and sustainable food sources can provide a platform to develop new practices and policies based on future foods for global food security challenges.