An Assessment Of Problems And Prospects Of Rabbit Production

1.0 INTRODUCTION

According to Allu (1983), Rabbit (OryctolagusCuniculus) refers to a burrowing, gregarious, plant eating mammals with long ears, Longhind legs and a short tail. They are members of the order Lagomorpha and family Leporidae. There are several breeds of rabbit which include:- New Zealand, Dutch beltered, American breeds, American fuzzy lop, American sable, English Angora, French Angora, Belguim Hare, beveren and Britannia petite etc. The economic importance of rabbits is for food, employment, income and research work.

Omole (1982), narrated that the rabbit has immense potentials and good attribute which include high growth rate, high efficiency in converting forage to meat, short gestation period and high prolificiency, relatively low fat, sodium and cholestorol level. It also has a high protein level of about 20% and it's consumption is benefiting since there is no religious biases. Another attribute of rabbits is the presence of caecal microbes which enables the rabbit to digest large amount of fibrous feeds, which most non ruminant species can not.

According to Ajala and Balogun (2004), Rabbit production is variable way of alleviating animals proteins deficiency in Nigeria.

Lebas (1983), narrated that: the research for alternative sources of protein to meet up the population challenges is imperative. Economic indices indicate that as this population trends continuous, more people are fed. Agricultural output needs to be increased rather than through food importation into such countries. 

Pellet and miller (1963),reported that in order to minimize food production in Nigeria, variable options need to be explored and evaluated. Among such alternatives is the use of livestock species that are yet to play a major role in animal production with these countries. Fast growing livestock such as rabbits process a number of features that might be of advantages in the small holder substance type integrated farming in developing countries.

viana (1986), view that rabbit farming in Nigeria is faced with myriad of problems which have resulted to a gross shortage of meat to meet up the population challenges in our country. The growth rate of the Nigerian agricultural sector is below the potential of natural and human resources due to high cost of agricultural inputs, poor funding of agriculture, inadequate infrastructure, functional policies, inadequate private sector participation, poor mechanized technologies, developed scientists etc.   

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1.1 Statement of Research Problems

Rabbit has a great deal to offer in terms of proteins supply and income to farmers but it has been observed that the study area has low level of rabbit production which necessitates the research work.

1.2 Significance of the Study   

The research is significant due to the fact that it can help to prop up the people to go into rabbit production which no small way will increase the level of protein consumption, provide income, employment, food and research materials for future research.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The major concern of this study is to determine the problems and prospects of rabbit production in Batagarawa Local Government area of Katsina state.

The specific objectives are: 

1. To find out the problems of rabbits production in the area 

2. To find out the solutions to the problems 

3. To improved the production of best performed bread of rabbit in the area   .

1.4 Research Questions       

The following research questions have been formulated as major base for this research.

1.what factors are responsible for lack of interest in rabbit production in the study area?

2. Are the people aware of the comparative advantages of rabbit production?

3. Can rabbit production be improved in the study area?

1.5. Scope and Limitations of the Study

This research work is limited to Batagarawa local government area of Katsina state, due to time and financial constraints.