Invest in rabbit value chain to boost Nigeria’s economy — Experts

Experts in animal production have identified rabbit farming as a promising pathway for economic growth, job creation, and improved nutrition in Nigeria.

This position was highlighted 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, called for increased promotion of rabbit consumption and commercial production nationwide. He described the sector as largely untapped but full of potential to contribute significantly to the country’s economy.

According to Muazu, rabbit farming in Nigeria remains underdeveloped, with only about three to five per cent of the population engaged in the practice, mostly at small-scale household levels. He noted that farmers typically keep between two and seven breeding females, but the sector still offers vast opportunities for expansion and commercialisation.

He explained that rabbits are highly productive animals, with a gestation period of about 30 days and the ability to produce up to 20 or more offspring annually. Their low feeding and housing requirements, he added, make them suitable for students, smallholder farmers, and urban dwellers seeking alternative income sources.

Muazu further pointed out that the rabbit value chain extends beyond farming to include breeding, feed production, veterinary services, processing, and marketing.

Highlighting its nutritional benefits, he described rabbit meat as rich in protein and low in fat, making it a viable option for addressing protein deficiency in the country.

On environmental sustainability, Muazu noted that rabbits require less land and water and generate fewer greenhouse gas emissions compared to larger livestock, positioning them as ideal for climate-smart agriculture, especially in semi-arid regions.

However, he identified low public awareness and high mortality rates among young rabbits as key challenges facing the sector.

He urged youths and students to explore opportunities in rabbit farming by starting small-scale ventures that could grow into profitable agribusinesses. He also called on government and private sector stakeholders to invest in developing the rabbit value chain.

In his remarks, the Provost of the Bauchi State College of Agriculture, Dr Ahmed Isah, described the lecture as timely, noting that it would inspire students to embrace agriculture as a means of self-reliance.

He emphasised that such initiatives are vital in tackling unemployment, adding that graduates can become employers of labour through ventures like rabbit farming.

Dr Isah also encouraged the general public to engage in rabbit production, describing it as a profitable and easy-to-start enterprise capable of improving livelihoods and strengthening the nation’s economy.