Donkey farming is agricultural engine for county in Shandong

The donkey is a prominent symbol in Shandong's Dong'e. [Photo by Li Aiming/for chinadaily.com.cn]

Dong'e county in Liaocheng, Shandong province, is using its local ejiao (donkey-hide gelatin) and black donkeys to establish an agricultural development model that integrates large-scale breeding, scientific reproduction, production processing, specialty dining, and health tourism.

The county has utilized technological innovation to propel industry growth, establishing China's leading Donkey Industry Research and Development Center. It has tackled over 30 key technological challenges in donkey breeding and gelatin processing, setting more than 20 industry standards to provide technological support for innovative development in the donkey industry. In 2023, the Dong'e Black Donkey breeding system was recognized as a provincial agricultural cultural heritage.

To further enhance the industry's value, Dong'e has implemented a complete industry value chain layout. The county has developed tourist destinations including the China Gelatin Museum and China Donkey Museum, introducing health-oriented cuisines such as gelatin health banquets and donkey hot pot, and studying over 30 specialty products including braised donkey, donkey milk, and donkey milk soap.

The black donkey has become a prominent symbol in Dong'e. Currently, the Dong'e black donkey has been selected for the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs' cultivation plan for premium agricultural brands and the first batch of China's characteristic agricultural product advantage areas. (Edited by Li Weiwei)