Emu farming in Salem & Erode
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emu
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Dont-invest-in-Emu-farms-say-Salem-authorities/articleshow/12763999.cms
Don’t invest in Emu farms, say Salem authorities
L Saravanan, TNN | Apr 21, 2012, 02.26AM IST
SALEM: Thousands of farmers, lured by private firms, have been queuing up to invest in emu farms in Salem and Erode in the hope of making a quick buck, investing life savings or borrowing money to start a business. But the first signs of a bubble burst were evident at a grievance redressal meeting held in the city on Friday, when farmers complained they were suffering losses and were being cheated.
For the first time, the Salem district administration stepped in to advise farmers not to invest in the emu business. "The Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (TANUVAS) is yet to complete its research on these birds and whether they make good business," said A Sengottivel, personal assistant (agriculture) to Salem district collector K Maharapushanam.
Almost 100 farmers across Salem district, who attended the meeting held at the Salem collectorate, demanded clarifications from authorities on rearing the birds. They pointed out that advertisements in television channels and newspapers were offering freebies to attract farmers.
A R Shanmugam of Panaimaratupatti, member of the district Agricultural Product Council, said, firms demand Rs 1.5 lakh as deposits from farmers to start a farm and they offer Rs 6,000 per month for three years and a gold coin in return.
"There is little information available about the business, but companies have invested huge amounts in advertisements. The freebies are proving effective. Last week, farmers in Rasipuram waited in long queues to deposit their savings," said K Sundaram of Mallasamudram.
Nearly 250 emu farms have sprung up in Salem and Erode, said Salem regional joint director of animal husbandry P K Balasubramaniam. "We received information that some farmers got returns while some others did not get any profit. Neither the animal husbandry department nor the TANUVAS have encouraged emu farming," he said.
A section of farmers have kept a cautious distance from the scheme. C Vaiapuri of Aragalur said, "Emu fat is being mixed in edible oil. It should be examined by authorities." S Govindarajan of Ammampalayam was of the view that the emu business was not doing well even in Australia, where the bird originated. "Farmers should keep a distance until the government assures profit," he said.
