They have been unknowingly used for centuries as a metaphor for drudgery. But the donkey is “having the last bray,” selling its milk for seventy times the price of that of its rival bovine milk.
Dhiren Solanki, a resident of Gujarat, established a donkey farm in his village in the Patan district. He now has 42 donkeys and sells their milk to customers in the southern states for between Rs. 2-3 lakh a month.
Mr. Solanki describes how his journey started: he was hunting for a position with the government. “I managed to find a few private jobs, but the salary was insufficient to support my family.” I learned about donkey rearing in south India about this time. I started this farm in my village about eight months ago after meeting some people,” he remarked, mentioning that he had initially invested Rs 22 lakh and had 20 donkeys.
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It was difficult at first. In Gujarat, donkey milk is hardly in demand, and Mr. Solanki made no money in the first five months. Subsequently, he began contacting businesses in south India, where there is a need for donkey milk. Currently, he supplies Karnataka and Kerala, and some of his clients are makeup companies that use milk from donkeys.
When asked about the price, Mr. Solanki replies that it varies from Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 7,000; in contrast, a litre of cow milk costs Rs. 65. To keep the milk fresh, it is kept in freezers. The milk can be purchased in powdered form and dried form for up to a lakh per kilogram.
Mr. Solanki has invested roughly 38 lakh rupees so far and currently has 42 donkeys on his farm. He claims he has not yet received assistance from the state government but requests that it concentrate on this industry as well.
Why Donkey Milk Is Beneficial
Ancient people used donkey milk extensively, and there are even stories that the Egyptian queen Cleopatra took a bath in it. It has been reported that the father of medicine, Hippocrates, a Greek physician, recommended donkey milk to treat fevers, nosebleeds, poisonings, liver issues, and infectious diseases.
Before scientists rediscovered the benefits of donkey milk, its popularity declined in the modern era despite its many advantages. However, there is still a limited supply, which accounts for the high cost.
Donkey milk is a fantastic option for babies, especially those who are allergic to cow milk, as it is more akin to human milk in composition than cow milk, according to a report published in the US National Library of Medicine.
The report outlines the benefits of donkey milk in maintaining improved gut health, including its “ability to regulate intestinal microflora, which is another important aspect of donkey milk in the medical field.” Studies have also shown that it has anti-diabetic and immune-boosting properties. Because donkey milk is free of various pathogens present in other types of milk, it is also known to have a longer shelf life.
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