Udupi: Training Programme Focuses on Emu Rearing as Profitable Venture
By Suvarna Brahmavar
Daijiworld Media Network—Udupi (PS/CN)
Udupi, Oct 22: Emu, the largest wild bird native to Australia, is domesticated by many in India. Since there is a shortage of labourers for agriculture and horticulture, domesticating emus has become an alternate means of a livelihood for farmers in the coastal region.
Recently, an ‘Emu Feeding Training’ programme was organized in the plantation area of Barkuru Koodli K K Naikar. In this programme, members of Sumukha Farm, Bangalore, shared their 10 years of experience in emu rearing. Emus are fed for meat, egg, oil, and pelt. After three years of rearing, the income starts. After three years, each female emu lays 30 to 35 eggs annually on an average. Each egg costs Rs 1,000 to 1,300 in the market. After the eggs are artificially hatched, the new born emus are sold at about Rs 4,000 each. Female emus lay eggs from October to March each year.
Naikar informed that emu feeding will be profitable if pursued alongwith agricultural activities by farmers.
“Emu birds have a life span of about 35 years and for 25 years they lay eggs. One kilo of emu meat costs Rs 400 to 500. The bird is 98 percent free from fat and oil, while its skin layer has some oil content. This can be removed and sold for a good price. Every kilo of oil costs Rs 6,000. Emu oil is used for treating cardiac and cancer patients. It is also used to treat burn injuries,” he said.
The size of emu egg is 15 times bigger than that of hens. Emus grow about 5 to 6 feet in height. The birds need to be fenced in as it is difficult to catch them if they escape.
Sumukha Farm partners Shashidhar and Sunil were the resource persons at the training camp. Mumbai-based entrepreneur B Sudhakar Shetty, Barkuru entrepreneur Y Ganapathy Kamath, expert in emu feeding Rathnakar Shetty, Rajeeva Shetty, K Sathyanarayana Udupa, Shantharama Shetty, Brahmavara Agriculture Science Centre director Dr Hanumanthappa, Dr Dhananjay, and Dr Shivanna were also present.
Fifteen pairs of emus were left to graze for the guests to see.