FAO - Rabbit Project Development Strategies in Subsistence Farming Systems

The marked rise in rabbit project development activities in developing countries, observed over the past ten years, may be attributable to the increased awareness of subsistence rural and peri-urban inhabitants to the potential of small-scale rabbit production. The need for descriptive data of rabbit populations and relevant economic, nutritional and sociological parameters associated with rabbit production is now being met by such developing countries as China, Egypt, Indonesia, Mexico, Nigeria and the United Republic of Tanzania This article addresses local technology issues and specifies appropriate research that could promote production of these useful species.

In many instances. technical information available from developed countries is not appropriate to local conditions in developing countries. Applied research on vital aspects of rabbit production such as breeding and genetics, disease control, economics, housing systems, management, nutrition and reproduction, is urgently needed in developing countries to ensure a high success rate of rabbit development projects, which could have a favourable economic, nutritional and sociological impact.