The Japanese International Co-operation Agency and the Jomo Kenyatta
University of Agriculture and Technology have launched a project to
train farmers on commercial rabbit rearing. PHOTO | JACOB OWITI | FILE
NATION MEDIA GROUP
The Japanese International Co-operation
Agency (JICA) has rolled out a Sh25 million fund to facilitate farmers’
training on commercial rabbit rearing.
The pilot
project being spearheaded by Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and
Technology (JKUAT) has selected Nyeri and Machakos counties as
prototypes counties.
According to JKUAT Deputy Vice
Chancellor in charge of Research, Production and Extension, Prof Esther
Murugi Kahangi, the project would be rolled out in other counties once
its viability is ascertained.
She said a private firm,
The Rabbit Republic Limited, has been contracted to undertake training
of the farmers, the majority of whom are women, on the best practices to
meet the soaring demand for rabbit products.
“This
project is one of the many which is annually funded by JICA to see
hundreds of farmers trained on the best practices that is aimed at
making rabbit farming a viable commercial undertaking.
“There
is an up-surging demand for not only rabbit meat but other products
like skin in the world and the market is soaring,” Ms Kahangi said.
The professor noted that over 10,000 women through JICA have received full training on the subject over a decade now.
According
to the Founder and Chairman of The Rabbit Republic Moses Wambua Mutua,
it is time Kenyans take rabbit farming seriously adding that it is a
sector that require little space and time but provides mammoth returns.
He said they are out to mobilize and sensitize potential investors on
commercial rabbit production.
Mr Mutua said they have a
whole network across the country and are soon expanding to Uganda and
Tanzania with skin having a bigger market.
“We are set
to work with these farmers through a five year contract by offering them
a guaranteed market. We buy in live weight; for instance a kilo going
for Sh400 and five kilograms at Sh2,000.”
We tan the
skin at Sh250 a piece which is very tender, soft and strong hence
fetching more returns. Rabbit urine is also being used in laboratories
in growth of micro bacteria for research,” Mr Mutua said.
The company has a farmer base of over 500 farmers.
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