Experts in animal production have identified rabbit farming as a viable avenue for economic growth, job creation, and improved nutrition in Nigeria.
The experts made this known during a public lecture held at the Bauchi State College of Agriculture on Friday as part of activities marking Rabbit Appetite Day.
Speaking at the event, a registered animal scientist and lecturer at the Federal Polytechnic Damaturu, Sani Muazu, said there was a need to promote both the consumption and commercial production of rabbits across the country.
He described rabbit production as a largely untapped but promising sector capable of contributing significantly to Nigeria’s economy.
“Rabbit farming in Nigeria is still underdeveloped, with only about three to five per cent of the population engaged in the enterprise, mostly at small-scale family levels where farmers keep an average of two to seven breeding females. Despite this, the sector offers vast opportunities for expansion and commercialisation,” he said.
Muazu noted that rabbits are highly productive animals, with a gestation period of about 30 days and the capacity to produce up to 20 or more offspring annually.
He added that their low feeding and housing requirements make them suitable for students, smallholder farmers, and urban residents seeking alternative sources of income.
According to him, rabbit production extends beyond farming to other economic activities such as breeding, feed supply, veterinary services, processing, and marketing.
He also highlighted the nutritional value of rabbit meat, describing it as rich in protein, low in fat, and suitable for addressing protein deficiency in the country.
On environmental sustainability, Muazu said rabbits require less land and water and emit fewer greenhouse gases compared to larger livestock, making them suitable for climate-smart agriculture, particularly in semi-arid regions.
However, he identified low public awareness and high mortality rates among young rabbits as major challenges hindering the sector’s growth.
He urged students and youths to take advantage of opportunities in rabbit farming by starting small-scale ventures that could grow into profitable agribusinesses, while calling on government and private sector players to invest in the development of the rabbit value chain.
In his remarks, the Provost of the Bauchi State College of Agriculture, Dr Ahmed Isah, described the event as timely and impactful, noting that it would encourage students to embrace self-employment through agriculture.
“Such initiatives are critical in addressing unemployment. Graduates can become employers of labour through ventures like rabbit farming,” he said.
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.
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