IMPACT OF EMU FARMING IN INDIA

INTRODUCTION

PARAGRAPH 1
Emus belong to ratite group and have high economic value for their meat, eggs, oil, skin and feathers.
These birds are adaptable to varied climatic conditions. Although emu and ostrich were introduced in
India, emu farming has gained much importance.
Ratite birds have poorly developed wings and include emu, ostrich, rhea, cassowary and kiwi. Emu and
ostrich are reared commercially in many parts of the world for their meat, oil, skin and feathers, which
are of high economic value. The anatomical and physiological features of these birds appear to be
suitable for temperate and tropical climatic conditions. These birds can be well maintained on extensive
(ranches) and semi intensive rearing systems with reasonably high fibrous diets. United State, Australia
and China are leading in emu farming. Emu birds are well adapted to Indian climatic conditions.

NEED

Emu is the second largest flightless bird and scientifically known as Dromius noveahollandiae. In India,
Emu farming will be a booming agri-business due to their valuable products. Emu is becoming popular
for having 98% fat free red meat. Emus attain sexual maturity by 18 to 24 months and breeding occurs
during October to February month in India. Emu eggs are weighing about 600 to 800 grams and emerald
green in color. Emu chicks weigh about 370 to 450 grams and required floor space of 40ft. x 30 ft. for
about 40 chicks with outdoor space and for grower it is 40ft. x 100 ft. for 40 birds. Emu also can be
called as “million dollar birds” and its farming is getting great economic importance. Emu oil act as
wound healing agent, reduces recent keloid scarring, excellent emulsifier having anti-inflammatory
properties and its ability to penetrate the skin. Emu skin is soft and supple, characterized by a raised
area around the feather follicles which gives a pleasing dotted pattern, when use for clothing, boots,
bags, wallets and crafts. Emu nails are also been used as key chains, pendants in necklaces. Emu eyes are
being used to replace damaged corneas in human beings.

Statement of Problem
As we all know that emu meat is not a conventional type of meat. The reason behind me choosing the
topic “Impact of Emu Farming In India” is the benefits of this meat and its economic benefits also. It is
95% usable there is no such wastage. Emu are great feed convertors for every 2.5 pound of feed, there
is one pound gain making them making them great meat choices for some farms. Emu also can be called
as “million dollar birds” & its farming is getting great economic importance. The first purpose of emu
farming is to increase the emu population, because of high profits that can be made by selling emus as
breeding birds. The second purpose is to slaughter to get by products like emu meat, emu oil, emus
feathers, emu skin and emu nails.

Significance
The emu is the largest bird in the world and second largest in the world, the first being the ostrich.
They are flightless birds and quite a popular commodity these days all over the world. They stand up
to 6.2 feet in height and lay beautiful blue-green eggs.

They make great pets, egg producers, predator control, and food for the table.

Emus have not always been popular, especially in their native Australia. In 1932, the emu population
had exploded; causing massive crop destruction and they were considered a nuisance in Western
Australia. A military operation was devised to try to minimize the population, and this ended up
being called the Great Emu War. (It was not successful.) The unpopularity didn’t last long, however.

As emus were imported into various countries, many nations have been successful with emu as a
food source. The emu is 95% usable; therefore there is barely any wastage to the bird. Emus are
great feed converters. For every 2.5 pounds of feed, there is one pound of gain, making them great
meat choices for some farms. With these statistics, the emu became a business model for
investments.

Emu oil is a sought-out emu product, as well. Emu oil is mainly fat collected from deposits below the
skin. When refined it is used in face creams, soaps, and other cosmetics.

The use of emu oil started with the aborigines and passed on to the European culture as natural
sunscreen and moisturizer. Emu oil is high in omega-3, -6, and -9 fatty acids, and also contains
vitamin A, which is an antioxidant and essential nutrient, acting as a skin tonic.

Although it remains unproven, many professionals do believe that emu oil has properties that help
with arthritis, as an anti-inflammatory, and helping reduce cholesterol. More trials and tests still are
needed, though.

Now that emus have become less of a zoological oddity and more of mainstream livestock, the
benefits of emus are now being fully explored, such as predator control, egg art, and pets.
Emus are known for warding off unwanted predators. There have been cases of emus stomping
bobcats, opossums, snakes, and neighborhood cats to the ground.

Famers have been utilizing this behavior to enforce more livestock protection, as emus can get along
well with horses, donkeys, goats, and small animals they have been raised with. Not all emus will do
this, however.

The emu egg is a very large blue-green egg averaging close to one pound in weight. In comparison to
chicken eggs, an average of 10-12 chicken eggs will equal one emu egg. Emu eggs are sought for egg
art. Many artisans enjoy carving and painting emu eggs and selling them at art exhibits.

Lately, the pet market for emu seems to be the newest trend. Many people enjoy obtaining chicks
and raising emus or hatching the eggs to start with them from day one. Compared to ostriches, emus
are more docile, but caution must always be taken when dealing with larger birds as not all emu are
friendly.

Objectives
1) It aims us to understand Poultry Industry in India is one of the fastest growing livestock
sector in the country and is heading towards scientific modernization. The contribution of
this sector to agriculture and total Gross Domestic Product (GDP) during 2010-2011 was
29.7 per cent and 4.07 per cent, respectively. Poultry industry in India , though one of the
fastest growing segment of animal husbandry sector , uncertainty still prevails in the mind of
poultry entrepreneurs because of chronic and acute problems of high feeding cost ,
emerging and re-emerging diseases , vaccine failure and fluctuating market price of meat
and eggs . As how can it flourish in India?

2) The second objective is to breed birds to increase the emu population because of the high
profits that can be made by selling adult emus as breeding birds. As they are better option
as compared to the conventional poultry industry.

3) The third objective is to Slaughter birds to get by products like emu meat , emu oil, emu
feathers, emu skin and emu nails.

HYPOTHESIS
Emu farming in India is still in primitive stage and the activity is rapidly increasing in size and number, by
spreading into many states including Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamilnadu, Kerala, Gujarat, Punjab,
Manipur, Chandigarh, Orissa and Assam. This expansion is likely to continue in the coming years in many
other states. Majority of the existing emu farmers are rearing the birds simply to increase the number of
birds further. Many small sized farms are emerging day by day but neither there is a census available nor
any method been designed to account them so far. But, according to Indian Emu Association of India
there are around 2000 farms with six lakhs birds in the country.

Indian climate is very suitable for commercial emu farming. So, we can start commercial emu farming
and earn profit highly. Starting emu farming in India is easy and anyone can start emu farming who has
his/her own land.

But one must have to learn the basics of emu farming. Emu farming basic includes feeding, housing,
breeding, care, diseases and nature of these birds. One also have to gain a proper idea about total
investment and profit from emu farming business.

Limitations

1. The main limitation faced is the lack of survey in this time of pandemic .which is a big hindrance
for the project.
2. Emu farming is in the budding stages in our country so lack of data is also a big limitation for the
project.
3. Lack of prior research in this farming is also affecting the research.

(More limitations to be continued after obtaining the survey results)