The role of donkeys, their milk production and utilization in south-western Botswana

Abstract

A study was conducted to assess the role of donkeys, their milk production, and utilization in southwestern Botswana. A cross-sectional descriptive survey and a case study were employed to generate data using a semi-structured questionnaire. A total of 25 respondents from Werda and Phepheng villages were interviewed through face-to-face interrogation techniques. The case study involved one commercial donkey farm in Werda village that produces and sells donkey milk. The study was conducted in June 2018. The average herd size of donkeys in the study area was 9.7 per household. Donkeys were primarily used for transportation of water and firewood, followed by ploughing, riding, meat production, and milk production. Moreover, donkeys are considered resilient animals, and they are more drought-tolerant than other livestock species. All respondents ranked donkeys superior to cattle, goats, and sheep in terms of drought resistance and ability to cope with feed and water shortages. In contrast to most farmers in the study area, one farmer in Werda village owned a herd exceeding 200 donkeys, which were used for milk production. This farmer used the donkey milk to make skincare products, namely donkey milk soap and lotion. Additionally, he sells raw donkey milk to consumers in Gaborone, as well as in other parts of the country, and South Africa, and the farmer considered in the case study sells one liter of donkey milk for 240 Pula (≈23.2 US$). Some respondents indicated that they consume donkey meat, which they prefer over the milk. There was no cultural stigma associated with rearing donkeys and consuming donkey products in the study areas. Most donkey owners do not milk their donkeys, but many expressed willingness to milk their animals if a reliable market exists. Although this study is limited in scope in terms of sample size, it suggests potential for developing a local donkey milk industry.