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Herald Reporter
Rabbit farmers have been urged to acquire skills and become innovative so that they meet the local meat demand and expand to international markets.
Globally, there is a huge demand for rabbit meat, with China alone consuming one million tonnes of rabbit meat annually, of which 600 000 tonnes are produced domestically and 400 000 tonnes imported.
In Zimbabwe, the industry can generate US$2,5 million in earnings annually.
Speaking during the rabbit training programme conducted by the Zimbabwe Commercial Rabbit Breeders Association (ZICORBA) in Goromonzi on Saturday, the organisation’s provincial coordinator for Mashonaland East, who is also the national treasurer Mr James Samhembere, said farmers should aim for foreign markets.
“We want more people to embark on rabbit farming so that they do it at a commercial scale.
This will change people’s livelihoods. Rabbit keeping needs very little money, we want more growers to take up the initiative,” he said.
“We want to create markets internationally. Farmers should use the skills they acquire to produce rabbits that are healthy and maintain international standards,” he said.
Mr Samhembere urged farmers to rear Califonia white and New Zealand white breeds which have good meat.
These two breeds are resistant to diseases; they grow at a good pace if maintained well.
Goromonzi District Ward 22 Councillor Dr Garikayi Mutongoreya said rabbit farming is easy, adding that the feed cost is lower compared to other projects.
“The feed cost is cheaper. We encourage youths to take up these projects. This is a very good project which people should take seriously,” he said.
ZICORBA national trainer and technical adviser Garisanai Mudzingwa said farmers should take rabbit farming seriously, and promote hygienic measures to avoid diseases.
He also said rabbits’ urine can be used as fertiliser while its waste can be also used in agricultural production.
Online Reporter