Niger official urges Nigerians to engage in Rabbit production
The Niger State Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries on Tuesday said that rabbit production is as profitable as it is a business with low investments and high profits.
Mr. Emmanuel Jiya, Head of Rabbit Production Unit in the ministry, stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Niger, Minna.
“The production of rabbit is not only profitable but enjoyable too. It is a business with low investments and high profits.
“Nutritionists recommend rabbit meat for its nutritional properties because it is lean, rich in proteins of high biological value, low in cholesterol content, and high in linoleic acid,” he said.
Jiya said that the rabbit is a fast-growing animal that can grow to maturity within seven months.
“After mating, the female rabbit becomes pregnant for a period of one month.
“It can give birth to about two to eight kids per birth and rests for one month before another round of mating,” he said.
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He said that some of the mature common breeds of rabbit are sold for between N4,000 and N5,000 each, while other young ones go for between N1,000 and N2,000 each depending on their weight.
He said that the super high breed rabbit sells for between N25,000 and N40,000 each, also depending on their weight.
The official said that the urine and feces of the animal are used as organic manure on the farm.
He said that rabbits are fed three times per day but more at night.
Jiya said that the government facility at Bosso was housing about 60 rabbits and it cost over N40,000 to feed them per month.
He said that the animals are fed with spinach, carrot, cabbage, sweet potatoes leaves, watermelon, grower mash, and water.
“The cost of feeding the animals per month depends on individual farmers.
“Some farmers that cannot purchase the grower mash and other vegetables reduce the cost of feeding by giving them leftover food,” he said.
The official explained that any farmer feeding the animals with leftovers must ensure that the food does not contain salt, pepper, and fat in order not to endanger their lives.
He said that the benefits of rabbit production include less space, less production cost, less labour, low investments and high profits, meat for the family, and a business for all seasons.
Jiya said that rabbit meat is tasty, nutritious, and easily digestible such that all aged people can eat it without a problem.
He said that rabbit meat is lean with low-fat content and less saturated fatty acids and cholesterol than other meat.
“The rabbit meat contains less calorie value than other meats, such that it is a great substitute when placed on a diet,” he said.
The official said that the meat is friendly to the heart, especially for people with heart conditions owing to the low cholesterol content.
He said that the meat contains high calcium and phosphorus, adding these minerals is higher in rabbits than in other sources of meat.
Jiya urged farmers, civil servants, and others to engage in rabbit production because of the economic and health benefits accruing from the livestock business.
