Asses and Mules: Animal Traction in Small Properties with Low Operating Costs

The ass (donkeys) and mules are the most energy-efficient draft animals per kg of work performed in agribusiness. In Brazil, donkeys and mules still actively work on more than 500,000 rural properties — especially in the semi-arid Northeast, where difficult access and fuel costs make animal traction competitive.

The Northeastern mule is a high-demand zootechnical product in the Northeast — with values ranging from R$ 3,000 to R$ 15,000 per animal. The market for jennet milk — with unique cosmetic and pharmaceutical properties — is rapidly growing in Europe and is beginning to be explored in Brazil as a premium product.

When donkeys and mules are bred with selected genetics and utilized in multiple markets, this segment can significantly contribute to job and income generation in Brazil.

Join our strategic actions for implementing the best solutions in the Brazilian agribusiness sector. Our activities, studies, and advanced research cover 20 chains and 255 segments of national agro — from the grain chain to sustainable extraction, including horticulture, fruit growing, livestock, and much more.

The series Innovation For Brazil to Produce More was developed precisely to identify and implement the best available solutions in Brazil and the world, across the 255 segments of the agribusiness sector — with accessible technical language, updated data, and a focus on practical results for producers, suppliers, government officials, and marketers.

1.  Opportunities for Small Rural Producers

How to efficiently raise mules and donkeys for traction, sale, and premium products

The efficient mule comes from the crossing between thoroughbred donkey stallion and appropriately sized mare — Pêga, Poitou, or Northeastern donkeys with Mangalarga or Northeastern mares produce mules with high work capacity.

✔    Thoroughbred donkey stallion: Pêga or Northeastern — high-quality mules

✔    Efficient feeding: donkey consumes 30% less than a horse per kg of work

✔    Jennet milk — emerging premium cosmetic product in Brazil

✔    Mule for tourism and trail — superior endurance to horses in rugged terrain

✔    PRONAF Semi-arid for donkeys and mules in the Northeast

The E-Book 01 — Strategic Manual for the Small Rural Producer presents, in detail, the best solutions for this and 254 other segments of Brazilian agro — focusing on method, cost reduction, and progressive growth from Agro 1.0 to Agro 6.0.  Access now for BRL 99.00 →

2.  Opportunities for Micro and Small Local Suppliers

What services and markets do donkeys and mules demand

Donkeys and mules demand farriery, nutrition, and veterinary services — with a growing market for jennet milk for cosmetics.

Solutions by area of engineering applied to the segment

Our activities, studies, and advanced research cover six major areas of engineering — and the chain demands solutions in all of them:

Electrical Engineering and Computing — mechanical milking of jennets for milk;

Electronic Engineering and IoT — traceability of donkey herds;

Control and Automation Engineering — guided animal traction systems;

Mechatronics and Robotics Engineering — implements for animal traction;

Renewable Energy Engineering — solar for properties with animal traction;

Data Science and Artificial Intelligence — herd management and milk production.

✔    Farriery for mules and donkeys

✔    Agricultural implements for animal traction

✔    Milking and processing jennet milk

✔    Veterinary care for donkeys and mules

✔    Consultancy in tourism with mules and donkeys

The E-Book 02 — Strategic Guide for the Micro and Small Local Supplier maps out, segment by segment, business opportunities — focusing on IoT, energy, automation, and specialized technical services.  Access now for BRL 99.00 →

3.  Opportunities for Municipal Governments

How municipalities can support donkeys and mules and create cultural identity

The Northeastern donkey is a cultural heritage of the Northeast — and a municipality that supports the breeding of local races preserves animal biodiversity and creates a product of identity.

✔    Donkey Festival — Northeastern cultural identity

✔    Program for preserving the Northeastern donkey

✔    Municipal IDM: mules and donkeys as indicators of sustainable traction

✔    Tourism with mules in trails and hill farms

✔    Jennet milk as a product of regional identity

The E-Book 03 — Reference Guide for Municipal Governments presents the step-by-step for municipal secretaries and managers to implement effective public policies for the 255 segments of agro.  Access now for BRL 99.00 →

4.  Opportunities for Small Agricultural Product Retailers

How donkeys and mules generate business for traction, tourism, and cosmetics

The jennet milk has a composition similar to human breast milk and unique cosmetic and dermatological properties — with jennet milk soaps and creams reaching R$ 80 to R$ 200 in premium stores. The European market pays €5 to €20 for 100ml of freeze-dried jennet milk.

For adventure tourism in mountainous and rugged regions, the mule as a pack and riding animal is superior to horses — with endurance and safety on difficult trails. Adventure tourism stables with mules are progressively growing in the ecotourism market.

Products with high commercial potential

The main products derived from this segment for retail and local foodservice:

Working and saddle mules for sale — R$ 3,000 to R$ 15,000;

Jennet milk for cosmetics — emerging premium product;

Soaps and creams made from jennet milk — cosmetic of identity;

Tourism with mules on trails — high-demand ecotourism;

Northeastern donkey for preservation — breed of cultural value;

Animal traction implements — recurring market.

Profiles of retailers and their specific opportunities

✔    Breeders: high-quality mules for the Northeast

✔    Natural cosmetics: jennet milk for soaps

✔    Adventure tourism: mules for mountain trails

✔    Genetic preservation: thoroughbred Northeastern donkeys

✔    Farriers: ongoing service market

✔    Grocery stores: soaps and cosmetics made from jennet milk

Growth strategies for the local retailer

The jennet breeder who processes milk and sells artisanal cosmetics transforms a product of regional identity into a premium business — with soaps priced at R$ 40 to R$ 80 and creams at R$ 80 to R$ 150, far above the value of the animal.

The BNB/FNE and PRONAF Semi-arid cover breeding. The Pronampe finances artisanal cosmetics.

The E-Book 04 — Strategic Guide for the Small Retailer of Agricultural Products maps out 30 retailer profiles and details growth opportunities across all 255 segments of agro.  Access now for BRL 99.00 →

Innovation and Technology Network

By purchasing any e-book from the series, you become a member of our Innovation and Technology Network. Groups with 30 members can organize and fund in-person strategic planning events to identify and implement the best solutions available in Brazil and the world.

✔    Small Rural Producers

✔    Micro and Small Supplier Companies

✔    Municipal Governments

✔    Small Retailers of Agricultural Products

⭐  Special offer: I will provide 100% discount on the value of my working hours for the 10 pioneer events organized by 11/30/26 and held in December 2026. Therefore, the 10 pioneer groups will only cover the general expenses.

Best regards,

Ivo Alves

CEO · Master in Electrical Engineering and Computing · Specialist in Innovation and Technology Project Management

Faculty: IFPB and UFRN  ·  38 years of experience in Engineering