EMU FARMING

In India, chicken is the most popular of the poultry species Followed by ducks & quails. Of late, with some popularization through Newspaper write ups, television coverage & Exhibitions, about 250-300 Progressive farmers of Maharastra state have started Emu farming with 25 to 200 pairs in Pune, Thane, Nasik, Akola, Ahmed Nagar, Beed, Kolhapur districts and many more are coming up for guidance and Inquiring about the availability of bank loan for establishment of A new farm or expansion of existing farms. At present more than 10,000 pairs of Emu reared by the farmers in the state. For large scale production of meat oil And skin there is a long term potential for breeding and rearing of more than 75000 Emus. To promote such innovative project activity in the state this can accelerate capital Formation in the rural area. NABARD, MRO, Pune has taken a decision to formulate a Model project for rearing of Emu as there is a increasing demand for such unit in coming Years.

Diversification is the key to success in any enterprisE

We need to Diversify to other species of poultry in order to reap more profits. Considering this let us Discuss about Emu,
 breed of bird which attains upto 65 Kg.wt. & 5.6 ft. hight on Maturity.Emu belong to Ratite family of birds & is the third biggest bird species after Ostrich & Cassowary. The birds have small wings & are in capable of Flying. Australia is the place of Origin for the birds.

Emu is a social bird with dark whitish complexion. The birds live in groups & Can thrive under varying climatic conditions ranging 0 degree C. to 52 degree C. These Birds are Omnivorous and eat leaves, vegetables, fruits, insects, worms. They can be feed Modified poultry feed.

It is clarified by the Chief Conservator of forest, GOM, Pune that Emu is an exotic bird and it has not been included in any of the schedules of wildlife (protection) Act, 1972. The provisions of Wild Life Protection Act, 1972 and rules made there under are not applicable for these birds. As such no permission from forest Department is necessary For rearing, farming and selling of these birds.

Present Status 

Recognizing the economic importance. Australian Government in 1975 Started domesticating these birds living in Jungles by establishing big farms. This Activity spread to America. France and other European countries in the early eighties. It is reported that there are about 90,000 Emu farms in America and an Emu Association Was established in 1993. The activity has also spread to China, Japan, Malaysia and Korea.

One Emu farm by name Vijaya Ratite Farm (Pvt.) Ltd. Was established by Shri P. Satyanarayana IN Andhra Pradesh in 1996 on small scale. Similarly in Maharastra state Shri.Ganesh Kale& Group introduced 20 pairs of Emu during 2001 &in Baramati Shri. Sandip Taware has established first Emu Farm with 10 pairs in April 2002. He has also established Emu hatchery.

At present There are Four Emu Association in India. One is at Hydra Bad name of INDIAN EMU ASSOCIATION” Mumbai “NATIONAL EMU ASSOCIATION” headed by Shri. Sami Tambatkar. This two association working all India level. And in Maharastra level at Baramati in the name of “Maha Emu Association” headed by Shri. Sandip Taware and another at Pune in the name “Emu Farmer Association”. Headed by Mrs. Chitralekha Mehta. The experience of the farmer has been encouraging.

TECHNICAL PARAMETERS of EMU Bird

The birds reach their full size by the end of 1st year. They grow up to 5.5 to 6 feet With a weight of 40to 70 kgs. Laying period in India starts after 18 to 24 months and Eggs are laid during September to February. Eggs are dark bluish green in colour with a weight of 450 to 700 gms . A bird can lay 20-60 eggs in a season. Incubation period is 50- 52 days and newly hatched bird will be of 6-7”in height. The lift span of the bird is 30-35 years. The productive economic life of the bird is 20.25 years.

ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE (SCOPE)

It is reported that the price of Rs.18, 000/- a pair of 3 months old Birds and the price of Rs.40, 000/- a pair of 15 months old Birds having live body weight each 40  to 50 kg. and the birds are used for table purpose.

MEAT:

Meat of Emu bird is reddish in colour, soft and with less of cholesterol 98% fat free. Emu meat is lower in fat than Chicken. Turkey, Pork & Beef It is the “Super Food of the New Millennium”. The price commands higher price than that of meat from Other birds/animal and is reported at Rs. 300-450 per Kg. The American Heart Association has included Emu meant in its listing of heart healthy meats.

EMU MEAT: 98% FAT FREE - 100% NATURAL

THE HEALTHY RED MEAT

EMU IS A VERY LEAN (98% FAT FREE) RED MEAT SIMILAR TO BEEF IN BOTH TASTE AND APPEARANCE. EMU ARE HIGHER IN PROTEIN, VITAMIN C AND IRON COMPARED TO BEEF; LOWER IN CHOLESTEROL COMPARED TO CHICKEN. EMU GIVES RED MEAT LOVERS WHAT THEY WANT AND HEALTH CONSCIOUS CONSUMERS WHAT THEY NEED. IN FACT, THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION RECOGNIZES EMU MEAT AS A HEALTHY ALTERNATIVE TO BEEF. 

FEATHERS :

Feathers are soft non allergic / anti static, beautiful double quilled and are used  In hats, dresses, computer and car cleaning brushes and household decorative items. About  400 to 600 Gms of feathers would be available from a bird and each bird would Fetch about Rs. 200/- at present.

SKIN :

The skin is very thin, soft and strong. Price of good quality skin is reported Rs.700/- to Rs.1000/- per Sq ft. and 8-12 sq.ft of skin is available from a well matured bird. The skin is used in the preparations of shoes, bags, belts, purses, jerkins and seat covers for expensive cars. At present raw skin of a matured bird would fetch about Rs. 1000 1200/-.

EGG SHELLS AND NAILS :

The egg shell are used for painting and as decorative items due to deep Blue Colour. Nails are strong and decor able used in artificial ornaments and craft goods.

OIL :

About 4-6 a litter of oil is available from a bird which is devoid of any colour taste and odor. At present market prices, the price of one litter refined Emu oil is Rs. 3000/- to Rs. 4000/- The oil is penetrating and is having moisturizing. Analgesic, ant allergic and antiseptic properties. The oil is used in analgesic ointments, beauty creams and lotions, soaps, hair oils, shampoos, perfumes and massage oils. The raw fat/crude oil of Emu fetches Rs.1000 per Kg.

A number of studies have been conducted and are currently being

conducted throughout the world on facts of the Emu oil, including its composition, benefits, applications in different industries and the resulting properties of compounds formulated with the oil.

Traditionally Emu oil has been used for treatment of muscle and joint pains.

Clinical experience with Emu oil has shown that it's two major benefits are its anti- inflammatory properties and its ability to penetrate the skin. It also appears to provide some solar protection. The penetrating effect appears to be related to its non-phosphorous composition. “Our skin is phospho - lipid deficient. In other words, there is no phosphorous in our skin. If you put anything on your skin that has phosphorous in it, your skin is 'programmed' to keep it from penetrating. Anytime you put anything on your skin that is phospholipid deficent, or has no phosphorous, it penetrates right through ". Researchers who have analyzed the oil found that there is a compound in oil that they believe is the key to its effectiveness. This compound molecule is believed to be collagen. Collagen is  found in chickens and turkeys in a very diluted form. However, the test result on the Emu show this molecule to be present in an extremely concentrated form.

Research and development of Emu oil using in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals is rapidly expanding. Emu oil has been documented to exhibit the following properties and/or has been used for the following purposes.

• Anti - Inflammatory Activity

• Moisturising

• Cholesterol Reducer

• Bacteriostatic

• Penetration Enhancer

• Signficant epidermal proliferative activity

•  Non – Comedogenic

•  Significant wound healing agent

• Significantly reduces recent keloid scarring

• Appears to promote faster healing of burns with less pain and scarring

• Anti - Arthritic Activity
• Excellent Emulsifier

EYES :

The bird is able to see up to a distance of 10 meters and its eyes are being used To Replace damages corneas in human beings.

UTILITY :

15 months old Emu broiler weighing 40 Kg. slaughtered for oil, meat and skin etc. The utility is as under:-

OUR OBJECTIVES TO HELP ESTABLISH EMU FARMING IN INDIA

1. To provide financial assistance for establishing of Emu breeding farms.

2. To provide part time employment or to utilize family labour to earn some livelihood.

3. To provide employment to educated un employed youths of rural area.

4. To produce more Emus for meat,oil & skin production in future and alternately to export the produce.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE :

     Loan from banks with refinance facility from NABARD is available for establishing Emu farm. For obtaining bank loan, the farmer should apply to the nearest branch of a Commercial or Co- operative or Regional Rural Banks in their area in the prescribed forms which is available in the branches of financing banks. The project report should be attached/ enclosed with loan farm. For Emu farming schemes with very large outlays, detailed reports will have to be prepared. The technical officers attached to or the Branch Manager of the bank can help / give guidance to the farmers in preparing the project report to obtain bank loan. A scheme can also be prepared by the beneficiary after consulting local technical

experts or private commercial Emu hatcheries. Consultancy Services of NABARD would also be available for large commercial projects.

BENEFICIARY :

A good practical training for a week and experience on a Emu farm will be highly desirable before starting a farm. If possible, they should visit the progressive Emu farms/ Hatcheries in the area and discuss the technical ability and profitability of farming.

BACKWARD LINKAGES

CLIMATE :

Emu is a social bird and can thrive under varying climatic conditions ranging 0° F. to 100° F. The climate suitable for poultry farms is also suitable for Emu farming.

AVAILABILITY OF EMU. PAIRS :

In Maharashtra there are private Emu hatcheries supplying the Emu pairs of different age groups i.e. 3 months, 6 months, 12 months and 15 months old. The detail addresses of hatcheries are as below:-

AVAILABILITY OF FEED :

Poultry feed (layer) can also be fed to Emu. In addition to poultry feed mineral mixture and shell/ stone grit can be given. Sprouted desi Chana and Methi can also be fed during layer season. During summer season chopped vegetables like cabbage, carrot, beetroot, etc. can also be fed.

AVAILABILITY OF VETERINARY AID :

Like poultry chlorinated water should be given to Emu birds like Poultry. Deforming should be done twice in a year at an interval 6 months.

TRAINING &EXPERIENCE :

Training on Emu farming is given on above farms for 3-5 days. During training these farms supply all technical information in the form of books/CDs/booklet/palplet etc.

AVAILABILITY OF SHED,BREEDING PENS AND RUN-OFF AREA :

The detail specification along with cost proposed is given EMU FARM PROJECT broacher Low cost shed and building material locally available can also be used to lower the cost of housing.

AVAILABILITY OF EQUIPMENT :

Water, feeders & egg trays are required. Low cost equipment locally available can also be used.

FORWARD LINKAGE:

SALE OF EGGS :

At present both the hatcheries mentioned above are purchasing eggs @ Rs.1000/-to 1200/- each or on the basis of chick borne @ Rs.1200/- per chick.

SALE OF MANURE AND EMPTY FEED BAGS :

Manure can be applied on own farm or can be locally sold to other farms. Like poultry manure, Emu manure is also good for fruits and vegetable gardens. Empty feed bags are sold in local market @ Rs. 4-5/- each.

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LENDING TERMS – GENERAL :

PROJECT COST :

One model of 50 pairs Emu have been formulated. The total project cost including fixed cost and recurring cost up to the income generating stage (21 months) has been worked out to Rs. 24.78 lakh.

MARGIN MONEY AND BANK LOAN :

Minimum 15 % of down payment has been considered to be collected from the beneficiaries and maximum 85 % of total financial outlay is considered as bank loan.

TFO : Rs. 24.78 lakh.

Margin Money : 15 %

Bank Loan : 85 %

WORKING CAPITAL :

If required by the farmer, financing bank may asses the same and sanction accordingly. It may require for commercial ventures only. Here in this case we have already capitalized 21 months recurring expenses and so there may not be a need for further W.C.

INTEREST RATE :

The rate of interest shall be decided / fixed by the concerned financing bank to the ultimate beneficiary. In this case for calculation of cash flow and repayment we have assumed an interest rate @ 12% per annum.

SECURITY :

a) Will be as per RBI guidelines issued from time to time.

b) Insurance: Bank may ensure that the borrower takes insurance of assets created out of

a bank loan including insurance of Emu birds.

REPAYMENT OF LOAN :

The repayment period depend upon the gross surplus generated in the project. The loan will be repaid within 7 years including first year as grace / moratorium/gestation period in  suitable monthly installments (6/year) during October to march only.

CONCLUSION :

Emu farming offers great scope & potential because of its supplementary income additional employment & simplicity in operation .Efficient emu development can be Achieved by promotion of small units in villages through a gamut of functions like Dissemination of information & technology, making various inputs & organizing training Sessions for farmers on this subject.

After going through the forgoing paragraphs and from subsequent annexure it is Concluded that the captioned proposal is found to be technically feasible and financially Viable.

Biosecurity measures to be taken in Emu Farming / breeding as suggested by

Commissioner of Animal Husbandry, Maharastra State

a) The farm should be ideally placed and away from the population and is blosecured

b) The housing should be proper will adequate brooding facilities.

c) There should be a separate workers team, who should not be allowed to get mixed with other workers.

d) There should be separate dress code for the workers.

e) Proper dis-infection procedures / foot dips etc., should be maintained.

f) The quarantine sheds should be separate and away from other sheds.

g) The other birds (parent, commercial or pure line etc.) and pets should not be reared/allowed to enter the same farm.

h) The brooding space should be optimum.

i) There should be provision of showers, change over and dips.

j) Proper records should maintained.

k) There should be scientific facility for disposing off / destroying the bedding / dead Birds etc.

l) The equipment are proper, properly disinfected and separate

m) The farm should have a water sanitation system.

n) Water source should be tested for mineral , bacterial , chemical , contamination and pathogen load.

o) Proper storage of feed to prevent contamination should be made. The water quality should be checked periodically  and  if contamination is seen it should be treated with any sanitizer.

p) Routine disease monitoring procedures like postmortem examination of dead birds and periodic sera antibody assay is recommended.

 Few Facts about our Favorite EMU