Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. THE Zimbabwe Commercial Rabbit Breeders Association (Zicorba), in partnership with the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development, conducted a training workshop last week in Harare to equip livestock officers and emerging farmers with essential skills in commercial rabbit farming.
The session, aimed at boosting productivity in Zimbabwe’s growing rabbit industry, comes as demand for rabbit meat continues to rise nationwide.
The programme provided foundational expertise in rabbit production—a sector offering numerous advantages, including high-quality protein, efficient land use, and environmentally sustainable farming practices.
Since Zicorba was formed in 2020, rabbit farming has increasingly become an avenue for economic empowerment and food security in the nation.
“The rabbit farming sector holds tremendous potential to contribute significantly to the agricultural sector and to the broader national economy,” said Grace Chengeta, chairperson of Zicorba’s Harare chapter, in her speech at the workshop.
“As demand for rabbit meat rises, so do the opportunities for farmers to benefit economically,” she said, noting that rabbits require minimal resources, adapt well to various environmental conditions, and have a rapid reproduction rate; characteristics that make them ideal for cultivation on both a small and large scale.
During the training, participants learnt essential aspects of rabbit breeding, nutrition, health management, and market access strategies.
Leonard Munamati, the chief director of Agricultural Advisory and Rural Development Services, said this initiative is a key step in aligning with the government’s strategic efforts to enhance livestock production and productivity, as well as contributing to the realisation of Vision 2030.
“Through public-private partnerships, extension services, and capacity-building initiatives like this one, we are empowering farmers to adopt best practices in rabbit husbandry, breeding, health management, and value addition,” the director said.
“By doing so, we are not only improving household incomes but also contributing to the broader economic growth and industrialisation agenda of Vision 2030.”
He said since Zicorba’s formation, what was once viewed as a backyard operation has rapidly transformed into a thriving and organised economic activity; contributing meaningfully to employment creation, household income generation, and food and nutrition security.
In line with the National Development Strategy 1 and the Livestock Recovery and Growth Plan, the government has prioritised diversification and commercialisation of livestock production.
“Rabbit farming fits perfectly into this framework by enhancing protein availability, creating employment and entrepreneurship opportunities, especially for smallholder farmers, and promoting sustainable farming practices, as rabbits have a low environmental footprint,” Munamati said.
“Rabbit farming presents a low-cost, high-return opportunity that can significantly boost food security, nutrition and income generation for our farmers. We see the rabbit industry as a game-changer in our agricultural economy.
“It has the potential to uplift the livelihoods of over 1,8 million households, generate employment opportunities particularly for youth and women in both rural and peri-urban areas, contribute to GDP growth, and ultimately become a foreign currency earner for Zimbabwe.”
He said the ministry was encouraged by Zimbabwe’s trailblazing achievements in the rabbit value chain.
“The country now boasts one of the largest rabbit abattoirs in Africa, and we are breaking new ground in value-added rabbit products, including rabbit sausages, burgers, pies, samoosas, polony, and even rabbit pizzas. Such creativity is not only commendable; it is inspiring,” he said.
“Rabbit farming is no longer just an alternative; it is now a strategic component of our livestock economy. Together, let us continue to promote it, invest in it, and support the institutions and farmers driving its growth.”
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