Donkey Industry in China: Current Aspects, Suggestions and Future Challenges

Donkey domestication has been essential to human culture and development and has played an important role in economic and social life in human history. China is one of the largest donkey breeders worldwide; donkey farming for meat, milk and hide production is becoming an important industry in rural China as it provides income to the rural livelihoods of many people. Currently, the donkey industry in China is small and relatively young, but it is growing fast. The industry is not adequately exploited economically, which means that it requires the diminution of its role in the traditional activities of rural households and a reorientation towards a more profitable industry. Given the growing importance of the donkey industry in rural China, this paper aims to outline the current situations of the donkey industry in China in terms of animal stock, breeds and distribution, donkey products, suggestions and future challenges to the development of the donkey industry.