Techie quits job to open a donkey milk farm in Karnataka, gets orders worth Rs 17 lakh

Our hectic schedules or unhealthy working environments have caused many of us to feel overwhelmed, as well as consider giving up jobs to starting our own businesses. While most of us continue to work, a select few have broken free from corporate shackles and are self-employed in a business that benefits them.

Srinivas Gowda, a 42-year-old software engineer, has quit his job to start a donkey farm in Karnataka.

The first-of-a-kind farm in Karnataka opened on June 8 in a village in Dakshina Kannada district.


Gowda left his job in 2020 to set up Isiri farms on a 11,132 square yards area plot in Ira village. A good breeding system was initially established. The farmstead already had bunnies, Kadaknath chickens, and goats. Now Gowda plans to add 20 donkeys to the farm.

As technology such as laundry machines and other technologies arrive, Dhobis no longer use donkeys, thus causing the count of mule species to decline. He says he was deeply touched by the predicament of donkeys that were often neglected and underestimated. Gowda claimed many people were unconvinced when the thought of a donkey ranch was first brought up, but he makes the point that the milk of a donkey is flavorful, expensive, and medicinal.

Gowda said donkey's milk would be sold to the public in packets. He estimates that a 30ml milk pack will be sold for Rs 150 for retail customers and will be available in their nearest malls, marts, and hypermarkets. It is worth mentioning that he has already received orders valued at Rs 17 lakhs.