Several years ago, Hasan Xhaja, a native of Skrapar, moved to the Myzeqe region in search of new opportunities. For the past 15 years, Hasan has dedicated himself to livestock farming, but in the last decade, he has focused specifically on breeding donkeys to produce and sell their milk. His farm is located in the village of Vajkan in Fier.
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| Donkeys grazing in the field of Myzeqes, Albania, August 2024 |
Hasan's venture into donkey milk farming began out of necessity. "About 10 years ago, I caught a type of flu. Someone suggested that I try donkey milk. I bought two donkeys, and during this time, I felt a spiritual relief from the illness. I decided to expand the business to help others as well," he shared in an interview with A2 television.
Starting with just two donkeys, Hasan's farm has grown to house 25 donkeys today. However, he faces challenges in finding a consistent market for his product. On average, he collects about 4 liters of milk per day. His customers come from various parts of Albania, primarily from the south, as well as from countries like Germany and Italy.
In addition to donkeys, Hasan also raises sheep. While he has received government subsidies for his sheep, he has not received any financial support for his donkey farming, despite having all his donkeys officially registered. "My donkeys are all registered, but I haven't received any subsidies," he explained.
Hasan's story is a testament to resilience and innovation, showing how necessity can lead to new and unique business ventures, even in the face of challenges.