HOT PROPERTY

Imphal, Oct. 31: An ambitious emu farming project taken up in Senapati district is set to spread to various parts of the state, with farmers lining up at the farm for emu chicks well before the hatching process.

The project is taken up by the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) at Henbung of Senapati district and the Indian Council for Agriculture funded the project through Foundation for Economic and Environment Development Services (Feeds) headed by Haokholet Kipgen, an Independent MLA from Saitu Assembly constituency of Senapati district.

“The birds have laid five eggs so far and we are ready for the hatching process at the farm. Many farmers have shown interest in purchasing the emu chicks and by the middle of next year we will be able to provide the chicks to the farmers,” N. Muhindro, programme in-charge, said.

The Kendra brought two adult and 82 three-month-old chicks from Chennai-based Shree Agro Farms in May 2008. The farm plans to make this bird as common as the chicken in Manipur.

Training programmes for the farmers have also been conducted.

Education minister L. Yayentakumar Singh took six adult emus from the farm for his own farm sometime back. The deputy chairman of Manipur Planning Board, Bijoy Koijam, also took a pair for his own farm.

“India has an emu population of nearly 10,000. However, the Henbung farm is the only one in the Northeast. Emu farming has a lot of potential in Manipur as the climate is well suited for the birds. The bird can be a highly profitable investment for a farmer. Emu meat is very tasty and is in great demand in five-star-hotels,” Kipgen, said.

He said if ministers and MLAs of the state would take the initiative for agriculture-based programmes, the state’s rural economy would boom.

Five-star hotels buy 1kg of emu meat for Rs 1,500. There is also a great demand for emu oil, emu leather, feathers and empty shells for medicine, bags and artefacts. The Chennai farm is ready to buy these items, the programme in-charge said.

The emu production centre has even attracted visitors, including students. A team of Class IX students from Brook Dale High School of Senapati town visited the farm yesterday.

The students, headed by their principal, Athia Mary Moroo, visited the farm as part of school assignment to study whether agriculture or industry would suit Senapati district.

A 10-member team from the UK visiting Imphal also toured the farm last week.

Feeds has plans to raise an ostrich farm in its 500-acre hillock along with the emu farm.