Meet Dhiren Solanki, Who sells Donkey’s Milk for ₹5,000 a Litre and Why People Are Buying It
Meet Dhiren Solanki, Who sells Donkey's Milk for ₹5,000 a Litre and Why People Are Buying It
In Gujarat, Dhiren Solanki’s bold bet on an ancient remedy is now a ₹2–3 lakh/month business.
What started as a desperate search for income has turned into one of India’s most unusual startup stories. Dhiren Solanki, who once struggled to find work, now earns up to ₹3 lakh every month by selling donkey milk, at ₹5,000 to ₹7,000 per litre.
It’s not a tech startup. It’s not even a digital venture. But it is redefining innovation and value in the milk industry.
The rise of ‘white gold’
Solanki launched his business with ₹22 lakh and 20 donkeys. Today, he owns 42 donkeys and supplies powdered and fresh milk to clients in Karnataka, Kerala, and beyond. Initially, there was no local demand in Gujarat. For nearly five months, he made no sales. People laughed. But Solanki pivoted his focus to South India, where demand from beauty and wellness brands began to grow.
The secret to the price? Scarcity and nutrition. Donkeys produce just one litre of milk a day, around four cups making supply extremely limited. Farms usually have fewer than 30 milking jennies (female donkeys), which keeps prices high.
What makes it so valuable?
Donkey milk isn’t new, it has a history going back over 10,000 years. Egyptian queen Cleopatra famously bathed in it to maintain her glowing skin. Roman empress Poppea reportedly travelled with herds of donkeys to ensure she had enough milk for her skincare rituals.
Today, science supports some of these beliefs. According to Healthline, donkey milk is rich in vitamins (especially Vitamin D), has less fat and calories than cow’s milk, and is packed with lactose and whey proteins that may have antibacterial properties. It is also a known alternative for people with cow’s milk protein allergy, as its low casein content rarely triggers reactions.
Aside from health and skincare uses, Solanki’s clients include cosmetics firms and wellness brands that use the milk as a premium ingredient.
From being the butt of jokes to becoming a symbol of bold entrepreneurship, Dhiren Solanki’s journey shows that the future of innovation doesn’t always need a screen sometimes, it just needs a few donkeys and a lot of belief.
