Gujarat man milks Rs 3 lakh per month from his donkey farm, cosmetic businesses among his customers

The donkey now has the last laugh. For centuries they have been used as a metaphor for dullness. But with the milk being sold at multiples of the milk price of its cattle rivals, it is now a source of envy for many.

Dhiren Solanki from Gujarat, riding donkey, has set up a farm with 42 of these animals in his village in Patan district and earns nearly Rs 3 lakh per month by supplying donkey milk to customers from southern states and also from the cosmetic sector .

Speaking to NDTV about his journey, Solanki said he was looking for a government job. “I found some private jobs, but the wages could barely cover my family expenses. Around this time, I learned about donkey farming in South India. I met some people and set up this farm in my village about eight months ago,” he said.

Solanki started with 20 donkeys and an investment of Rs 22 lakh.

The decision was difficult because there is hardly any demand for donkey milk in Gujarat and Solanki earned nothing for the first five months.

He then started reaching out to companies in Karnataka and Kerala to sell his products. His customers include cosmetic companies that use donkey milk in their products.

Historical reference

Donkey’s milk was widely used in ancient times, and it is said that the Egyptian queen Cleopatra bathed in it. The Greek physician Hippocrates, the father of medicine, is said to have prescribed donkey milk for liver problems, nosebleeds, poisoning, infectious diseases and fever.

Despite its benefits, donkey milk saw a decline in modern times, before scientists rediscovered its potential. Availability is limited, which explains the high prices.

According to a report in the U.S. National Library of Medicine, the composition of donkey milk is more similar to breast milk than cow’s milk, making it an excellent choice for infants, especially those allergic to cow’s milk.

“Another important aspect of donkey milk in the medical field is its ability to regulate intestinal microflora,” said the report, detailing its benefits in ensuring better intestinal health.

Studies also point to its benefits in boosting immunity and anti-diabetic properties. Furthermore, donkey milk is also known to have a longer shelf life as it does not contain the various pathogens found in other forms of milk.