Ostrich in Madhawaliya, Rupandehi |
Commercial Ostrich Farm
In Nepal
Which is the largest bird in the
World? Name the biggest egg laying bird? Which is the fastest running bird on
the land? All these common GK questions have same answer and its Ostrich.
Ostrich Nepal Pvt. Ltd is first and
only farm in Nepal located in Gangoliya-1, Rupandehi between Butwal and
Bhairahawa in 20 bigha (unit of land area) land which is biggest Ostrich farm of Asia. They started the ostrich farming with 1000 chicks
with the initial investment of 13 crore. The main aim to establish farm is to
meet high demand of ostrich products (skin, feather, meat) in international
market which are expensive. The farm also sells ostrich products in some hotel
of Nepal.
Ostrich is the largest bird known and
native of Africa which is distinctive in its appearance with a long neck and
legs. It has capability to run with speed of 70 km/hr. It weighs from 60-140
kg. We can distinguish male and female via feather, adult male have black and
female have greyis- brown and white color feather. Ostrich matures sexually at
2-4 yrs old where female mature 6 months earlier than male.
Ostrich is mainly farmed for meat,
feather (decorative) and skin (leather products) which are marketed commercially.
The price of Ostrich meat in the
international market is US$90 and in Nepal 2000 per kg.
The diet of Ostrich consists of mainly
plant matters such as seeds, shrubs, grasss, etc. It also eats invetebrates
like insects.
Ostrich has red meat low in fat with
great taste similar to beef meat in taste and colour which is considered very
well for health. Ostrich have fat but collected outside muscles which can
easily be removed during processing, so this meat is famous with people who
love red meat but think of body weight too.
Ostrich farm have many advantages
which can be enlisted as below,
· Donot require more land to graze as
of livestock
· Give products earlier than livestock
· When Ostrich is slaughter only a
little is wasted. Meat is sold in market, feathers and skin for leather
products.
Ostrich Nepal Pvt. Ltd has started a
new farm in Bijauri, Dang in 80 bighas besides Rupandehi with popularity of
Ostrich meat and products inside the nation and abroad.
The world second largest bird Emu are
also in the farm of Gangoliya which are about 300 in number. There are about
7000 ostriches in Gangoliya and 700 in Dang. This farm provide an employment
opportunity to many people along with its famous in international market.
Government need to promote such farm in Nepal with experts and researchers in
this field. Then we can introduce Nepal from Ostrich in worldwide along with
our pride Buddha, Mt. Everest and many beautiful natural scenario.
Upakar Bhandari
Department of Agriculture Extension
Agriculture and Forestry University
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