Pooja Kaul's entrepreneurial journey began unexpectedly in 2017 while she was pursuing her Master's in Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Tuljapur. As part of her academic coursework, she was required to conceptualize and execute a pilot project lasting two to three months.
During her community fieldwork in Solapur, Maharashtra, she closely observed the lives of donkey owners—mostly daily wage laborers working at construction sites and brick kilns. The donkeys were often left unattended, poorly fed, and inadequately hydrated. What struck her most was the alarming decline in the donkey population in India, which had dwindled to just around 1.2 lakh at the time.
This concern sparked a deeper reflection. Could she create a sustainable livelihood model by generating economic value from donkey milk—one of the world’s most expensive and least explored dairy products?
Discovering the Untapped Power of Donkey Milk
Donkey milk is not only uncommon; it is a nutrient powerhouse. Around the world, It is valued for its similarity to human breast milk. It is used in Ayurveda to treat respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases, and in contemporary skin care for its healing and anti-aging benefits. But in India, the concept of consuming or applying donkey milk was largely unknown or taboo.
Pooja realized that rather than selling donkey milk as a food item, she could utilize it in the form of skincare products. This would not only establish a niche market but also minimize the cultural resistance associated with the consumption of donkey milk.
Drawing upon her own hobby of home soaps making and the tradition acquired from her grandmother and mother, she started preparing chemical-free, handmade soaps infused with donkey milk and Ayurvedic oils.
From Rejection to Revolution
The initial days were not easy. The communities she tried to work with were suspicious. Some even thought she was gathering donkey milk to do black magic that would kill their animals. Convincing them that their animals' milk could quite genuinely bring in income—not superstition—was a long and patient process.
Simultaneously, she faced resistance in the consumer market. Donkey milk in India was a totally foreign idea. No one was eager to test products with an ingredient they linked with insults or look down upon and inferiority. But Pooja didn’t give up. Through consistent awareness campaigns, educational social media outreach, and honest conversations, she started changing minds.
Birth of Organiko
With patience and perseverance, Organiko was born. It is a skincare company that embodies purity, sustainability, and empowerment. Organiko soaps and skincare are 100% natural, chemical-free, and handmade. They employ a mixture of donkey milk with Ayurvedic oils such as coconut, almond, and sunflower, making them particularly suitable for sensitive skin, acne, and pigmentation.
Organiko currently provides several variants of hand-made soaps and face packs, and is always expanding its product line.
Transforming Lives
Before Organiko, donkey owners, particularly women, only got Rs. 200–Rs. 500 a day working under tough conditions. Most were seasonal migrants, forced to leave their homes for employment, often disrupting their children’s education and sacrificing family health.
With Organiko offering Rs. 1300 or more a litre for donkey milk, these families discovered a respectful alternative source of livelihood. They did not have to migrate anymore. Many have constructed decent shelters for their donkeys and are taking care of them with the same respect as one would for cows or buffaloes in traditional dairies. Women now run donkey farms, feed the donkeys, and take care of hygiene with dignity. The donkey is no longer a neglected beast of burden—it is a symbol of opportunity.
National Recognition
What began as a college pilot has become a movement across the country. More than 100 families have been directly benefited through Organiko, and thousands indirectly through training and awareness. The concept of donkey milk rearing spread so rapidly that Organiko now gets 50–60 calls every day from farmers who are keen to become part of the movement.
Importantly, due to continuous advocacy, donkey rearing has now been incorporated under the National Livestock Mission by the Government of India, Department of Animal Husbandry. As of now, more than 215 donkey farms have been established across India—a remarkable feat for an animal once considered worthless.
A Global Trend with Indian Roots
India is not the only country to recognise the worth of donkey milk. China, Poland, and Pakistan already use it for its medicinal and cosmetic value. Organiko believes in humane, cruelty-free applications centered on animal welfare and rural development.
Pooja Kaul's path serves as a powerful reminder that high-tech isn't always synonymous with creativity. Sometimes it involves neglected corners of society and discovering hidden potential. By combining traditional wisdom, scientific insight, and social empathy, Organiko has ignited a revolution. Donkeys are no longer just beasts of burden. Through the efforts of Pooja and Organiko, they are becoming a key part of rural development, women's empowerment, and sustainable skincare in India.
