Agri Gossip

Emu Farming Catches Haryana’s Fancy

It's not just Ullawas village, close to Gurgaon's corporate hub, which is attracting attention because emu is reared here. The trend of emu farming has caught up across Haryana in recent years. 

About 100 farms of this bird of Australian origin have already come up in various parts of the state with about eight such farms in Hisar district. A government spokesperson said that more people are taking up this business since emu rearing is largely risk-free. 

The giant birds cannot fly and have the strength to survive in zero degree celsius as well as 52 degrees celsius. With a high degree of resistance, they remain free from all kinds of diseases and have a lifespan of 30-40 years. A senior official said that these birds eat leaves, vegetables, fruits, insects and grains and drink eight to ten litres of water daily, which is amply available in the state. One emu needs 6-8 feet space to live in. He added that one needs to invest about Rs 24.78 lakh to purchase 50 pairs of these birds and construct a shed and make arrangements for water. 

"Rearing of emu is going to be the first choice for farmers and a major source of employment and additional income. We expect more people to take up this business," said the official. Emu rearing was first started in Australia and it being high-yielding and zero-risk farming, it was adopted as a profession in America, European countries, China, Japan, Malaysia, Korea and in India it was adopted in AP and Maharashtra in 1996. Thereafter the farmers of Tamil Nadu, Goa, Orissa and MP started their farming and now it has become a good option for Haryana farmers. 

Officials said that every limb of emu is useful. Its egg, feather, mutton, empty shell of egg, nails, oil and skin all are useful. One Emu sheds 400-600 grams of feathers in a year which is used to make caps, costumes and brushes for cleaning computers and cars. One emu egg weighs 500-700 grams and it can fetch Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,200 in the market. Emu starts laying egg in the age of two or two and a half years and continue to lay up to 30 years. In first year it lays up to 100 eggs, second year 200 eggs and in third year it lays up to 300 or more eggs. "So, there is long-term benefit for farmers. With a huge quantity of foodgrain available in rural Haryana, we expect the farming will be much more," said an official.

Times of India

This entry was posted on Sunday 27 January 2013 at 10:34 and is filed under Emu and Ostrich, India. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response.