27 October 2013
There are three ostrich breeding farms across Chaharmahal-Bakhtiari province while eight farms are under construction.
Borzou Heibatian, the deputy head of Chaharmahal-Bakhtiari Agricultural Jihad Department, also told Mehr News Agency that the culture of consuming ostrich meat should be promoted in light of its low fat and high protein.
Heibatian said that due to the absence of a slaughterhouse in Chaharmahal-Bakhtiari province, the ostriches are slaughtered in Isfahan and its meat, feather and unprocessed leather are sold there.
Chaharmahal-Bakhtiari province can become an ostrich breeding hub in light of its high potentials.
Ostrich meat is exported to Ukraine and Persian Gulf littoral states.
Heibatian explained that Agricultural Engineering Organization issues the license for ostrich breeding. "Breeding ostrich can be a lucrative business," said the head of the Board of Directors of Ostrich Research Institute of Pretoria University, South Africa, earlier.
Ali Haji-Babaei also told the Young Journalists Club that 470 ostrich breeding complexes are operating across Iran.
Ostrich breeding can be profitable if conditions such as the scientific designing and construction of the farm, as well as its genetic and production capacities, are observed.
Haji-Babaei said ostrich feathers used to be burnt in the past, but a market has emerged for the feathers recently and they are sold in domestic and foreign markets.
"An ostrich has 17 types of feathers that differ in shape, texture and function," he said, adding that they are marketed after processing and sterilizing them.
Haji-Babaei noted that an ostrich egg shell is used as a decorative product in floor lamps and paintings. "It has a good market in North America, Europe and Southeast Asia," he said.
Ostrich breeding has grown across Iran's warm regions in the past decade. Today, packed ostrich meat is sold in many chain-stores.
There are three ostrich breeding farms across Chaharmahal-Bakhtiari province while eight farms are under construction.
Borzou Heibatian, the deputy head of Chaharmahal-Bakhtiari Agricultural Jihad Department, also told Mehr News Agency that the culture of consuming ostrich meat should be promoted in light of its low fat and high protein.
Heibatian said that due to the absence of a slaughterhouse in Chaharmahal-Bakhtiari province, the ostriches are slaughtered in Isfahan and its meat, feather and unprocessed leather are sold there.
Chaharmahal-Bakhtiari province can become an ostrich breeding hub in light of its high potentials.
Ostrich meat is exported to Ukraine and Persian Gulf littoral states.
Heibatian explained that Agricultural Engineering Organization issues the license for ostrich breeding. "Breeding ostrich can be a lucrative business," said the head of the Board of Directors of Ostrich Research Institute of Pretoria University, South Africa, earlier.
Ali Haji-Babaei also told the Young Journalists Club that 470 ostrich breeding complexes are operating across Iran.
Ostrich breeding can be profitable if conditions such as the scientific designing and construction of the farm, as well as its genetic and production capacities, are observed.
Haji-Babaei said ostrich feathers used to be burnt in the past, but a market has emerged for the feathers recently and they are sold in domestic and foreign markets.
"An ostrich has 17 types of feathers that differ in shape, texture and function," he said, adding that they are marketed after processing and sterilizing them.
Haji-Babaei noted that an ostrich egg shell is used as a decorative product in floor lamps and paintings. "It has a good market in North America, Europe and Southeast Asia," he said.
Ostrich breeding has grown across Iran's warm regions in the past decade. Today, packed ostrich meat is sold in many chain-stores.
© Iran Daily 2013
