Donkey milk demand rises in Hyderabad city

Donkey milk is finding many takers in the city and the rising number of men moving around herding donkeys on city streets and selling milk acknowledges the huge demand for it.

Every morning, donkey farmers move around the working-class and lower-middle-class colonies in the city, selling the donkey milk. It is believed the milk has medical value, although there is no scientific validation for it.

A farmer, P Venkat, who stays at Bowenpally, said he owns 10 donkeys and has employed some people to take the donkeys around the city in morning and sell the



milk at the doorsteps. He has also posted advertisements on social media platforms to attract people.

“In villages and mandals, people used to buy the donkey milk. Now, with heavy migration from villages to the city, there is demand for it here too,” said Venkat, who rears 10 donkeys.

People buy the milk in small quantities to feed children, as it is believed that it cures cold, cough, and stomach ailments. “Usually, the children are fed the milk. For Rs 100, we sell 15 ml of milk,” said Shanker, a farmer from Mahabubnagar, who has three donkeys.