FOR 15 3000 FAMILIES TO GET OUT POVERTY

Rabbit  farming is one of the fastest growing micro-livestock enterprises in South Western Uganda.

Rabbits were introduced in this area  more than ten years ago. Rabbit is preferred as a sustainable source of proteins in an era where climate change, population and changing meat consumption patterns are growing in developing countries. . Additionally, rising per capita income, growing urbanization, and unfolding globalization are boosting the demand for high-value commodities including meat . Due to these fast socio-economic changes in the recent past, a rapid shift has taken place in the dietary habits in favor of sustainable sources of protein such as rabbit meat. The urban poor communities in Uganda usually have no land or just small pieces of land that can barely be used for any form of agriculture. Rabbit breeding does not need a lot of land. The rabbit breeding cages can be constructed around the existing buildings. A group of 86 farmers in the urban slum of Kabale municipality have adopted the idea of establishing a modern rabbit breeding centre where they can generate income from training other people as well.

Rabbit farming can be sustainable in developing countries due to the following reasons. First, rabbits can be raised on a vegetation only without using grains that are expensive. In a world of rising prices and increasing demand for grain, the ability to raise a good protein on garden forage is a plus in poor countries. Second, rabbits are characterized with fast growth rate, high feertilty, high feed conversion efficiency, and early maturity of about 100 days. With good husbandry, rabbits can produce above 40 kits per annum compared to one calf for cattle and up to two kids in goats Third, rabbits are considered free from odor, noiseless, and can adapt in different environment unlike many of the larger ruminants.  Lastly, research shows that farmers in developing countries have started showing interest in information and communication technologies. Such technologies are used as marketing platforms where farmers and potential buyers meet. As the rabbit meat production increases there are plans to introduce farmers to different forms of online technologies for learning and marketing. Initially, rabbit farming was done as a hobby or for subsistence purposes.  In the recent past, rabbit production has been changing from non-commercialized to commercial one.  Commercialization in this case means changing from subsistence to market-oriented farming. Commercialization in agriculture is associated with poverty reduction, income growth, and employment creation. Commercialization of farming also increases food supply in urban areas thus important in improving food security and nutrition.