Rabbit Farming
Compared to the past, today, Rabbit farming is done on a vast scale, as global rabbit meat production soars to over 1.8 million metric tons per year. The demand for livestock production has increased significantly over the years and is even expected to double up by 2030, more so in urban areas. However, the supply of meat has not been in line with this estimated demand, and this has posed unprecedented challenges concerning malnutrition, food security, and hunger. Therefore, in meeting these needs, alternative sources of protein need consideration. Among this, rabbit production is considered a viable and suitable alternative for meat production.
Up until the 1970s, the rabbit was an animal considered of little importance in the farm and beyond and was always left to die of disease, old age, or other predators such as rats, dogs, cats or wild animals. It was often considered a promiscuous animal, due to the inability to monitor mating, and the absence of hygiene, which restricted the use of rabbit meat to household consumption only, and local sale. However, the evolution of the rabbit farming sector has led to the intensive farming of this animal, and a more profitable rearing system developed through the expansion of more significant and extensive rabbit farms, and these animals being kept in cages. Presently, China is the leading producer of rabbit meat in the world, followed closely by European countries like Italy, Spain, and France.
The Rabbit Sector in Kenya
Rabbit rearing in the country dates back to the pre-colonial period when missionaries and colonialists first came into the country. The first breeds were reared in the central region of Kenya, which then spread to the other areas in the country. Rabbit keeping was practiced as a source of food for dogs, and pets for playing with children. However, over time, rabbit breeding spread in many other regions in the country as more and more people began recognizing its importance as an alternative source of food and source of income for many families. This grew so much that in the 1980s, the governments of Kenya and Germany collaborated to establish the Ngong veterinary farm with the primary purpose of providing breeding material for farmers throughout the country.
Some of the main rabbit breeds in the country include Flemish Giant, Chinchilla, Californian, and New Zealand whites. Indeed, the rabbit population in the country has increased remarkably due to the rise in breeding rates. The increase in rabbit farming has been attributed to the publicity that this enterprise has gained so far.
Reasons for rabbit farming in Kenya
In Kenya, the most significant reason for rabbit rearing has been for commercial purposes. Many reports indicate that many farmers keep rabbits for sale. A rabbit is often sold at an average price of 350 shillings to retail buyers, and (287, 250, and 246) to wholesale buyers. Professional rabbit farmers are managed through the Rabbit Breeders Association of Kenya (RABAK), which is a professional association of small-scale rabbit farmers in Kenya. The association offers training and consultancies for farmers to guide farmers in rabbit management practices, as well as proper breeding habits. The body also negotiates for the best prices for farmers, and a guaranteed market for their rabbits, and has continuously ensured farmers get higher prices, more so due to the establishment of a rabbit processing firm.
To get better prices, some farmers often practice value addition for rabbit meat, such as turning the meat into sausages or processing them into the meat, which is then sold in retail outlets and stores countrywide. By-products such as the rabbit skins are often disposed of, or fed to dogs. Concerning retail, the most common retail buyers are supermarket retail stores such as Tuskys and Naivas outlets, as well as local restaurants. Urban market retailers are usually most preferred by farmers because they provide a ready market compared to rural market retailers. More so, value-added services such as roasting, frying, and even packaging of meat.
Another reason for rabbit farming in Kenya is for local consumption. Though at a much lower scale, rabbits are also often reared for home consumption. Indeed, rabbit meat is a growing delicacy in many homes and is often considered a healthier and more nutritious alternative to red meat. Moreover, it is also a cheaper alternative compared to chicken, turkey, and other types of white meat.
Rabbits can also be kept as pets, and it is not uncommon to find families keeping rabbits for leisure. Others also keep rabbits for manure, as rabbit excretion has nutritive values, and is very good for the soil. At a smaller scale, some farmers rear rabbits to act as a source of feed for dogs or even game animals.
Challenges faced by farmers in Rabbit Farmers in Kenya
Many rabbit farmers in Kenya have reported the lack of specific drugs needed for rabbits, such as vaccination and treatment of rabbits. On many occasions, farmers have reported using drugs meant for the treatment of other birds such as chicken, to treat rabbits. Many farmers have also complained of receiving low prices for their rabbits, and the low prices can largely be attributed to the emergence of many rabbit brokers who are stifling farmers.
Conclusion
Rabbit rearing and production require good management of the environment, their diets, as well as breeding parameters. Rabbits have a lot of dietary and nutritional components that suggest their frequent consumption, especially among children, adolescents, and older women.