A non-governmental organisation (NGO), the All Rabbit Breeders Development Forum (ARBADEF), has described rabbit farming as a viable pathway to wealth creation for Nigerians.
Speaking during a two-day capacity-building training in Abuja, the FCT chairperson of ARBADEF, Mrs Lois Auta, highlighted the growing economic opportunities in rabbit farming and its potential to improve livelihoods.
Auta said the training, themed, “Silent Wealth: Why Smart Nigerians Are Turning to Rabbit”, was designed to tackle food insecurity and promote youth and family empowerment.
“Beyond the lectures, the training provided a platform for participants to connect, exchange ideas, and build strong collaborations within the rabbit breeding community,” she said.
She added that participants were being equipped with the skills and knowledge to tap into the rabbit farming value chain.
“The impressive turnout, the depth of discussion, and the excitement among participants reflect the growing interest in rabbit farming,” Auta said.
She explained that with modern farming techniques and access to markets, rabbit farmers could generate substantial income and improve their standard of living, especially in rural communities.
An agribusiness expert and rabbit farmer from Niger State, Mr Ismail Yekini, was one of the facilitators.
He said he currently manages more than 1,500 rabbits and aimed to increase his stock to 3,000 before the end of the year.
“The goal is to train youths, women, and retirees to bridge the gaps in unemployment and food insecurity while creating income-generating opportunities,” Yekini said.
Also, a rabbit breeding and nutrition specialist, Mr Abdulrauf Olamilekan, said the training was designed to provide essential knowledge for aspiring rabbit farmers.
“With the knowledge shared, they will be well-positioned to succeed,” he said, adding that his Body Breach Farm currently houses 200 rabbits.
One of the participants, Mr Sego Agidion, described the training as an eye-opener.
“Rabbit farming is a silent, wealth-making business. With as little as N20,000, you can start with two rabbits and a cage.
“This training has motivated me to launch my own rabbit farm soon,” he said. (NAN)
