Tamil Nadu farmers take to emu farming

Indur (Tamil Nadu), Aug 26 (ANI): Farmers in Indur village of Tamil Nadu's Dharampuri district have taken to emu-farming to avail of multiple returns offered by the birds for their meat, oil, skin, feathers besides medicinal value.

Emu meat is very healthy and contains low amounts of fat and cholesterol. Emu oil is also estimated to be highly medicinal and is gaining its popularity in the pharmaceutical industry.

Even their colourful eggs are used for ornamental purposes.

"The emu meat has 0.5 percent cholesterol. So people with blood pressure, sugar and asthma can also eat it. The skin of the birds is also used for colouring, the feathers are used for making brushes. So, like emu oil, feathers, emu skin, and meat, all of its parts are useful for people. So it's a profitable business for us," said Rangadurai, an emu farm owner in Indur village.

Rangadurai added that a grown bird weighs 50 to 60 kilograms, from which at least 35 Kg of fresh meat can be extracted. Emu meat costs around Rs 450 a kilo.

Emu farming is a profitable business as the demand for its meat has increased in Chennai as well as in western Pune and Nagpur.

Emu chicks cost more than rupees1,000 and bigger birds cost rupees 6,000 to 8,000 depending upon their weight. The birds lay eggs every three days in winter.

Areas where water is available in abundance are the best places for emu farming, which is not labour-intensive. The birds are practically immune to disease.By Jaykumar (ANI)