onkeys turning into cash cows, transforming fortunes

In the Chinese animation The Tales of Effendi, a donkey from Kashgar in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region rises to fame while carrying his master around.

In reality, donkeys lives are often less noteworthy, usually spent carrying heavy loads and being used for tedious chores. But in Kashgar's Yopurga county, farmer Abdul Kerim has turned the braying beast of burden into a cash cow.

"I had been doing various jobs to support my family since I was laid off 10 years ago," Kerim said. "Last year, I turned to donkey farming after learning that donkey milk was potentially very profitable."

Kerim and four of his neighbors poured nearly all of their savings into setting up a cooperative last year. They bought 38 Xinjiang "Jiangyue" donkeys - a crossbreed between the region's native donkeys and those from Northwest China's Shaanxi province - built stables and stockpiled bales of hay.

Donkey aficionados say Jiangyue are among the most beautiful of donkey breeds. They are long-legged, with white markings around the eyes and on the bridge of the nose.

After a year of hard work, the cooperative sold its first batch of milk to the biggest donkey milk processing company in the region for 28 yuan ($4) per kilogram.

"I am really happy with the business," Kerim said.

Yopurga is a poor county, but donkey farms are now springing up everywhere. About 27,000 donkeys are being raised for their milk, which is expected to generate annual revenue of 250 million yuan.

Donkeys are hardy and easy to raise, but ensuring the quality of their milk requires strict management. Regular checks must be conducted to make sure the animals are not lacking any nutrients. The donkeys are milked twice a day - morning and evening, 12 hours apart.

"We need to monitor the health of the donkeys carefully," Kerim said.

The cooperative earned more than 300,000 yuan during its first year of operation. Kerim said they plan to expand and have already hired two employees.

Seeing the potential for growth, processing companies have opened in the county, with a variety of products being produced from milk powder and meat to hides, milk-based soaps and face masks.

Naman Nazim is another farmer reaping the benefits of donkey farming.

With traditional skills passed down from his father, Nazim has raised award-winning donkeys, including one that earned the title "King of the Donkeys" and a 3,000 yuan prize at a local competition.

"Someone offered to buy my donkey for 110,000 yuan, but I turned down the offer," Nazim said.

Naman raises donkeys for stud, and can earn about 30,000 yuan a year from stud fees.

"These donkeys have truly transformed the fortunes of the county," he said.

Xinhua