Daijiworld Media Network - Bantwal (SS)

Mangaluru, Jun 17: Donkeys which have been a neglected lot were used for carrying pots by the potters and clothes by the washer men (dhobis). But, with the advent of vehicles, use of donkeys has come down drastically.

However, a BA graduate who lives in the outskirts of Mangaluru seems to think otherwise. Srinivasa Gowda (42), has started a donkey rearing and reproduction centre on a 2.3 acre land which is the first-of-its-kind in Karnataka and second in the country after Ernakulam in Kerala.

Srinivasa Gowda who hails from Ramanagara has started this centre at Ira village in Bantwal taluk.

Gowda has started integrated farming, animal husbandry, veterinary services, training and fodder development at the Aisiri Farms.

At the same time, Srinivasa Gowda is also engaged in poultry farming and rearing rabbits. At present, there are 20 donkeys at his farm. In 2012, India had a population of 3.6 lac donkeys which has slumped to 1.27 lac in 2019.

"When I started rearing donkeys there were a lot of negative comments. A few of them made fun of me. Donkeys are also like any other animal which require care and fostering. We call the donkeys Jack and Jeanette in my farm," said Gowda.

Now, Srinivasa Gowda has embarked on a business idea of supplying donkey's milk which has medicinal value and is in demand in urban areas.

He says the price of 30 ml of donkey's milk costs Rs 150 and he plans to sell them in sachets in the supermarkets, malls and kirana shops.