State promises assistance for EMU farming

Hyderabad, Jan 4 : Animal Husbandry Minister P Vishwaroop has said that the State Government was aware of the hardships of Emu Bird Growers in the State.

Replying to a question raised by TDP MLA Devineni Uma Maheshwara Rao and others during Question Hour in the Assembly on Saturday, the minister said that the Centre has provided interest free loan to the extent of Rs 2567 crore through NABARD and a loan of Rs 20.54 crore by the banks for setting up of 181 units. A subsidy of Rs 125 lakh was granted for establishment of Vileena Emu Proceeding Plant at Nuziveedu, Krishna district, under Poultry Venture Capital Fund of Government of India.

During 2013-14, the Centre is providing 25 per cent subsidy for a unit cost of Rs 30 lakh for setting up of Emu farm of 100 birds capacity under Poultry Venture Capital Fund. The scheme is implemented by the NABARD.

The minister said that there was no proposal to set up processing industry for Emu farmers in the State. He said that the Department of Animal Husbandry was providing disease diagnostic support to the Emu farms and publicising the importance of Emu products. A request received from Krishna Emu Products Pvt Ltd to establish a lab for taking up analysis of EMU oil for various fatty acids to facilitate exports is under consideration of the Department.

The Director of Animal Husbandry has addressed the NABCONS Hyderabad to take up study on EMU Industry. INN