Rural women revitalize ancient donkey farming, boosting local economies and innovating skincare with milk-based goods.
Organiko: Transforming Lives and Skincare with Donkey Milk
In the heart of India, a postgraduate from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) named Pooja Kaul is making waves with her innovative sustainable livelihood model. Organiko, her skincare company, is revolutionizing the beauty industry by using ethically sourced donkey milk to create handmade soaps, face packs, and plans to expand into sunscreens, creams, and serums.
Kaul's journey began in Solapur, Maharashtra, where she noticed the poor treatment of donkeys and the struggles of the Lashkar community, who rely on donkey milk for their livelihood but face low incomes and a lack of demand for their produce.
Empowering Donkey Owners and Rural Communities
Organiko has created a valuable market for donkey milk, a previously undervalued resource. For instance, Shahid, a donkey owner in Hapur, Uttar Pradesh, who manages 20 donkeys, now earns about Rs 1,300 per litre of milk after partnering with Organiko, significantly improving his family's living conditions and allowing better care for the animals.
The company follows strict ethical practices to ensure animal welfare, milking donkeys only on alternate days after their young ones are fed, and handling the milk hygienically to maintain quality. Organiko's work supports migrant labor communities by providing increased economic stability through better valuation of donkey milk, indirectly aiding rural development by alleviating economic hardships of families dependent on donkeys for livelihood.
A Growing Movement
As of now, more than 215 donkey farms have been established across India, and the number continues to grow. Many donkey owners have constructed decent shelters for their donkeys and are taking care of them with the same respect as cows or buffaloes in traditional dairies. The concept of donkey milk rearing has spread so rapidly that Organiko now gets 50-60 calls every day from farmers who are keen to become part of the movement.
Organiko processes over 500 orders monthly and distributes products across several Indian states, indicating healthy demand and business growth, potentially leading to further rural economic opportunities as the brand scales. Due to continuous advocacy, donkey rearing has now been incorporated under the National Livestock Mission by the Government of India, Department of Animal Husbandry.
Ayurvedic Benefits and Global Recognition
Donkey milk is a nutrient powerhouse and is valued for its similarity to human breast milk. It is used in Ayurveda to treat respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases and in contemporary skin care for its healing and anti-aging benefits. India is not the only country to recognise the worth of donkey milk; China, Poland, and Pakistan already use it for its medicinal and cosmetic value.
Pooja Kaul started her entrepreneurial journey in 2017 while pursuing her Master's in Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS). She began by preparing chemical-free, handmade soaps infused with donkey milk and Ayurvedic oils. Women now run donkey farms, feed the donkeys, and take care of hygiene with dignity.
Dr. Naima Shaikh, founder of eKrishikendra, empowers farmers through AI, IoT, and blockchain-based digital solutions. Together, these initiatives are transforming rural India, offering respectful alternatives for livelihood and promoting sustainable practices.
[1] The Better India [2] YourStory [3] The Logical Indian [4] The Hindu
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