Emu Farm Completes Phase One

India Partners is happy to announce that the self-sufficient emu farm at Living Sacrifice Ministries (LSM) is underway! Thanks to generous donations from individuals, and a $46,300 private foundation grant, LSM was able to purchase one acre of land and 100 emus in April.

For the past eight years, we have partnered with LSM in Andhra Pradesh, India in such areas as child care, community development, disaster relief, and micro-lending programs. LSM also focuses on one-to-one mentoring. This self-sufficient emu farm is part of a creative initiative to support orphans and children who live at LSM’s Little Lamps Children’s Home, as well as widows in need and impoverished families in remote villages.

Much preparation was require of the land before bringing in the 100 emus. The land had to be cleared of all trees and shrubs, a compound fence built and a shelter erected to protect the emus from the midday sun. In addition, the sand throughout the compound had to be sifted to remove any foreign particles the birds might try to swallow.

Now enjoying the run of their land, the 100 emus will begin their laying season in October 2011, and are expected to produce up to 25 eggs in a season when they are fully mature. The estimate for their first season is six eggs per emu pair. Although one might assume that emu eggs are the main commodity, it is actually their meat, skin, bones, feathers and oil that is most useful and desirable. In fact, emu oil is the most marketable product; it is used for therapeutic rubbing oil, skin lotions and treatment of burn victims.

Revenue from this first year of operation of the farm will pay the expenses for the second year of operations. There will be additional growth (purchase of an incubator) and expenses (higher feed costs as the birds grow) in the second year. The sale of the chicks from the second year of operations will fund the third year of operations. After the third year, annual net revenue will increase to support operations, in addition to caring for and feeding 24 children in need, 24 widows and 12 impoverished families.

So far, $50,285 has been donated to complete construction of the emu farm, but $44,210 is still needed. Thanks to Vista Hermosa Foundation, every gift you designate to our emu fund will help to meet a challenge to double their grant of $46,300 to $92,600!  Would you consider a gift today of $20, $30 or $50 to help finish construction of the emu farm? You can also purchase one emu for $175. Thank you for your help as we seek to serve those in India.



If you would like to donate to further construction of the emu farm, click "Donate Now" and select “Emus” from the drop-down menu. Thank you.