Mr. Charles Grunitzky, the Akatsi South Municipal Director of Agriculture, has disclosed that rabbits’ commercial production can create multiple income streams for practitioners or breeders.
He said rabbit production is lucrative because “it can create multiple income streams.”
He indicated that apart from raising rabbits for meat, skin, wool, and as laboratory animals, its droppings and urine could be added as an additional enterprise. Mr. Grunitzky made these statements at a training session on the rearing of rabbits for farmers and staff of the Assembly under the auspices of the Department of Agriculture on Saturday.
Rabbit urine simultaneously works as fertilizer and pesticide
The exercise aimed to boost the local economy of Akatsi South by creating jobs, increasing income, improving governance, and placing the municipality in a better position of performance was held at the Akatsi South Municipal Assembly Hall on the theme “Rabbit Production in Akatsi South Municipality- Benefits and Prospects.”
“Apart from using rabbit droppings as manure, research experiments and trials have proved that rabbit urine simultaneously works as fertilizer and pesticide. This can be used in addressing the issue of the high cost of fertilizers and its untimely availability,” he said.
Mr. Grunitzky also revealed that the urine of rabbits is non-toxic to humans and environmentally friendly.
He further appealed to Mr. Bernard Ahiafor, Member of Parliament for the Akatsi South, Non-Governmental Organizations, and donor agencies such as the Korean Programme on International Agriculture (KOPIA), Good Neighbours Ghana, the Lions Club, and others to support the Department in setting up a Rabbit Breeding Centre in Akatsi South to serve as a breeding and learning center.
A Rabbit grows faster and consumes less grain and grass than a hen. Besides, its meat is more nutritious than the meat of most livestock.
Remarks from key stakeholders
Dr. Saviour Denueme, the Municipal Veterinary Officer, added that rabbits, when kept in clean environments and safe from harsh weather conditions, could do well without medication unless otherwise.
Mr. Kofitsey Martin Nyahe, the Municipal Chief Executive for Akatsi South and an event participant, expressed his continuous support for the initiative. He stated that their outfit would also develop and increase the production of other agricultural activities in the area.
Mr. Nyahe later acquired two females (Does) and one male (Buck) to be raised in his backyard to serve as motivation to others in the Municipality.
Livestock rearing can keep youths off the street
Many experts have lauded the MoFA for the initiative. The expert revealed that if youths could be empowered through rabbit rearing, it would go a long way by putting them into a viable and profitable business, adding that rabbits have a one-month gestation period and six to eight weeks lactation period. it could give birth to 12 bunnies three to four times a year.
“But unfortunately, the consumption rate of rabbits is very low. Apart from the health benefits, it is one of the gentle livestock to rear, which can keep our youths off the street and keep them engaged and productive,” said the expert.
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