The Hindu : Emu breeding catching on in State

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Oct 21, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Andhra Pradesh

Emu breeding catching on in State

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD Oct. 20. Emu breeding, reproduction of the native bird of Australia, is fast catching on in Andhra Pradesh.

Its meat, oil, skin, nails and feathers are sought after so much for a variety of reasons that breeding and culling of this bird is poised for a quantum jump.

But, there is a hitch because neither the Centre nor the State Government has recognised this industry.

Without such recognition, Emu breeders can neither import birds nor export their meat legally because of restrictions placed by the Union Commerce Ministry.

More importantly, the State Government must frame clear-cut bio-security guidelines to facilitate farmers to go in for breeding and culling in a big way.

To discuss a strategy to overcome these hurdles, members of the Indian Emu Association (IEA) held a meeting here today under the presidentship of Kandula Sivananda Reddy.

Among the immediate requirements of Emu farmers are a centralised slaughterhouse, a leather tannery and a facility for processing the fat extracted from the bird into oil. Emu breeding in India was pioneered by an NRI, Ram Mutyala, in 1996. Today, over 4,000 Emu birds are being bred in India, with Andhra Pradesh accounting for 80 per cent of them followed by

Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra. Within AP, the major Emu farms are located at Gollala Mamidada in East Godavari district, Vijayawada and Cuddapah.

Mr. Mutyala told reporters that the American Emu Association had given a letter of intent to IEA for conducting research for establishing scientific proof about the therapeutic uses of Emu oil, which is known to effectively cure joint pains and help arthritis patients. The IEA would identify an agency to conduct the research.

He explained that Emu birds, which weigh up to 40 kg and have a life span of 40 years, yield 98 per cent fat free red meat, which was rich in protein and iron and yet low in cholestoral. Tender and delicious, there was a niche market for it in USA.

In India, the cost of the meat is over Rs. 300 per kg, according to D. R. K. Reddy, who is founder president of IEA. It is being sold by breeders to a few star hotels.

Apart from the much-sought after meat and oil, Emu leather has virtually taken the fashion world by storm. The exotic hide is gaining popularity as it adorns expensive handbags, shoes and apparel. Eggshells, which are an attractive deep emerald in colour and weigh about 600 grams, can be transformed into craft goods and the nails as part of women's jewellery.

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