Specialists advocate for financial backing of rabbit industry development

Experts in animal production have pinpointed rabbit farming as a key driver of economic expansion, job creation, and enhanced nutrition in Nigeria, a notion that was brought to the forefront during a public lecture at the Bauchi State College of Agriculture on Friday, which was held in commemoration of Rabbit Appetite Day.

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Sani Muazu, a registered animal scientist and lecturer at the Federal Polytechnic Damaturu, emphasized the need to boost both the consumption and commercial production of rabbits across the country during his address at the event.

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Muazu characterized rabbit production as a largely underutilized yet promising sector that has the potential to make significant contributions to Nigeria's economy, with only about three to five per cent of the population currently engaged in the enterprise, primarily at small-scale family levels.

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He noted that farmers typically keep an average of two to seven breeding females, underscoring the vast opportunities for expansion and commercialization that exist within the sector.

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Muazu highlighted the high productivity of rabbits, which have a gestation period of approximately 30 days and can produce up to 20 or more offspring annually, making them an attractive option for various stakeholders.

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Their low feeding and housing requirements also render them suitable for students, smallholder farmers, and urban residents seeking alternative sources of income, according to Muazu.

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Rabbit production encompasses a range of economic activities, including breeding, feed supply, veterinary services, processing, and marketing, thereby extending beyond farming itself, Muazu explained.

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He also underscored the nutritional value of rabbit meat, describing it as rich in protein, low in fat, and suitable for addressing protein deficiency in the country, which makes it a desirable food source.

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In terms of environmental sustainability, Muazu noted that rabbits require less land and water and emit fewer greenhouse gases compared to larger livestock, making them well-suited for climate-smart agriculture, particularly in semi-arid regions.

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However, he identified low public awareness and high mortality rates among young rabbits as major challenges hindering the sector's growth, which need to be addressed in order to unlock the full potential of rabbit farming.

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Muazu urged students and youths to capitalize on opportunities in rabbit farming by initiating small-scale ventures that could evolve into profitable agribusinesses, while also calling on government and private sector players to invest in the development of the rabbit value chain.

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Dr Ahmed Isah, the Provost of the Bauchi State College of Agriculture, described the event as timely and impactful, noting that it would encourage students to embrace self-employment through agriculture, which is critical in addressing unemployment.

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He also encouraged members of the public to engage in rabbit production, describing it as a profitable and easy-to-start enterprise with the potential to improve livelihoods and boost the nation's economy, as graduates can become employers of labour through ventures like rabbit farming.