Turkey farming on the rise in India

With the growing popularity of turkey birds among consumers, farmers have taken to turkey farming in Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur and other Indian coastal districts.

Turkey farming recently started in Kendrapara and other areas and it is widely considered as an alternative to cash crops.

''Turkey bird's meat commands a high value in the market,''said Ramesh Mallick of Kalapada village in the Kendrapada district.

Mallick noted that the survival rate of the birds is also high since there are no specific diseases that plague the species. Turkey meat is considered cholesterol-free for which it has great demand in some parts of the state.

A kg of turkey meat costs between Rs250 and Rs300 in the market.

Due to increasing demand for the commercial production of turkey in West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh and other states, banks and financial institutions are giving loans to farmers there. But in Orissa, turkey farmers have yet to receive help, said Manoj Parida, a turkey farmer of Bhagawanpur.

Kendrapara district has at least 12 turkey farms and the farmers are earning on a par with poultry farmers.