Dhiren Solanki from Gujarat has carved a unique path to success by establishing a donkey farm in Patan district, generating monthly earnings of ₹2-3 lakh through the sale of donkey milk, priced at ₹5,000-7,000 per litre, primarily to clients in southern states.
Ahmedabad: In a remarkable entrepreneurial feat, Dhiren Solanki, a resident of Gujarat, has defied convention by transforming the age-old notion of donkey labor into a lucrative business endeavor. With a donkey farm comprising 42 animals in Patan district, Solanki has strategically tapped into the niche market for donkey milk, fetching prices soaring as high as 70 times the value of conventional cow milk.
Solanki’s journey into donkey farming was spurred by a quest for sustainable livelihood, amidst the limitations of traditional employment avenues. “After exploring various options, the prospect of donkey rearing emerged as a viable opportunity, particularly in the southern regions of India,” he recounts. Commencing operations approximately eight months ago with an initial investment of ₹22 lakh and a modest herd of 20 donkeys, Solanki persevered through initial challenges exacerbated by the absence of local demand.
Undeterred by initial setbacks, Solanki strategically expanded his clientele base, primarily targeting companies in Karnataka and Kerala that exhibit a demand for donkey milk, notably within the cosmetics industry. The milk, meticulously stored in freezers to preserve its freshness, commands a premium price ranging from ₹5,000 to ₹7,000 per litre, in stark contrast to the prevailing market rate of ₹65 for cow milk.
Beyond its economic potential, donkey milk boasts a rich historical and medicinal legacy, with references tracing back to ancient civilizations. Renowned figures such as Egyptian queen Cleopatra and Greek physician Hippocrates extolled its virtues for skincare and medicinal purposes. Modern scientific research underscores its nutritional superiority, likening its composition to human milk and highlighting its therapeutic benefits in regulating intestinal microflora, boosting immunity, and combating diabetes.
As Solanki’s donkey farm continues to flourish, with an expanded herd and cumulative investments amounting to ₹38 lakh, his pioneering initiative underscores the untapped potential within the realm of unconventional agriculture, warranting attention from policymakers and entrepreneurs alike.
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