Abstract: [Objective] To analyze the impact of camel farmers′ participation in cooperatives on their income levels in Alxa League, Inner Mongolia, and to provide a reference for deeply promoting the transformation and upgrading of the livestock industry in the region. [Methods] Using camel farmers in Alxa League as the research subjects, data from 203 camel farming households were collected through online surveys conducted between 2022 and 2023. A multiple regression model was constructed, and propensity score matching was employed to conduct a series of empirical analyses and tests to explore the impact of camel farmers′ participation in livestock cooperatives on their income levels. [Results] The empirical study found that camel farmers participating in livestock cooperatives had an average increase in per capita household total income of 22,732 yuan compared to those who did not participate. Specifically, per capita wage income increased by 4,075 yuan, per capita operating income increased by 16,857 yuan, and per capita transfer income increased by 1,800 yuan. [Conclusion] Participation in livestock cooperatives has a positive effect on increasing the income of camel farmers in Alxa League, contributing to the enhancement of total household income through increases in per capita operating income, wage income, and transfer income. To leverage the role of livestock cooperatives in boosting farmers′ and herders′ income, the following policy recommendations are proposed: First, the government and livestock cooperatives should adopt multiple measures to stimulate farmers′ and herders′ enthusiasm for participating in cooperatives, establish a comprehensive system to protect members′ rights and interests, and maximize the benefits for participating members. Second, cooperatives should develop systematic training programs and implement customized training to meet the personalized needs of members. Finally, an information-sharing platform should be established to assist farmers and herders in accessing market, policy, and technological information, supporting independent brand development, enhancing product value, expanding market scale, and increasing income.

Key words: camel, livestock cooperative, herder income, participation behavior, propensity score matching