Ranchi-based veterinarian Neeraj Kumar Verma has birds on his mind. Not just any bird, but the emu, a flightless avian of Australian origin.

Verma is in the process of penning a tome that explores the possibility of breeding the birds commercially in Jharkhand. The veterinarian’s work in Hindi is expected to be ready in the next couple of months and would serve as a guide for farmers interested in a new venture.

“The book would be a practical guide for individuals interested in emu farming,” Verma, who is posted with the state animal husbandry department, said.

Verma was one of the four veterinary doctors from Jharkhand who were trained for 40 days at the Central Poultry Development Organisation in Hessarghatta, Bangalore in March this year.

On its return, the team had requested the animal husbandry department to work out a plan to encourage emu farming in Jharkhand. A.G. Bandopadhyay, the director of the department, then advised Verma to write the book for distribution among farmers.

The benefits of emu breeding are many. An adult bird weighs 50 to 60kg and every kilo of its meat is worth Rs 600 to Rs 800. Every year, a female emu lays 10 to 15 eggs, which sell for Rs 1,000 each.

Meat apart, emu oil, feather and skin are useful too. While the oil is used for treatment of arthritis, burns, hair loss and skin ailments, its skin is used in producing apparels. The feathers are used in preparing brushes used for cleaning electronic goods.