THE POLL RESULT: HAVE YOU EVER EATEN RABBIT MEAT

We had established a poll in our blog, asking kenyans whether they had eaten rabbit meat. As you can all see, the result shows that 55% of respondents have eaten rabbit meat, while 44% have never eaten rabbit meat. The poll is a key indicator that many people have embraced rabit meat as an alternative protein n our diets.

I am elated at the 55% mark, and we should analyse what this really means for the rabbit farmers. First, we aknowledge that there is potential market for our rabbits because many people are eating rabbits. All we have to do is to make it available on a regular basis, and at affordable prices to our customers.

Secondly, it shows that we are engaging in a viable venture which is very lucrative to say the least. I therefore encourage the skeptics that the polls have given us a forecast of the real status of the rabbit sector in a smaller scale. How can we then translate this to be a national venture. I do advocate for stakeholder cooperation from various realms of enterprises to make this a reality.

The 44% of those who have never eaten rabbit meat represents a niche market for many rabbit farmers. How can they be brought on board to ensure that they consume rabbit meat? I believe that elaborate sensitization and marketing will solve the puzzle. Out of the 44%,  am certain a majority would be willing to taste rabbit meat.

Let us continue promoting the rabbit sector, since the burning desire back with faith and determination shall make us create and uphold a sustainable rabbit value chain for many years to come.

I thank the respondents who participated in the poll,from this we have managed to acquire a green light on what measures to undertake to promote rabbit consumption in the country.

A VISIT TO THE CHESTER RABBIT FSARM: 31ST JULY

Hello passionate rabbit farmers, i trust that this finds you well. Today i wish to share with you about a visit i made at the chester rabbit farm. It is located in kikuyu, at a small centre known as magu. Having made an appointment with the owner of the far, Mr. George Kariuki, i travelled from siaya to kikuyu, arrived at 10.00am on the 31st july 2011.

I have to state that the warm welcome i received from Mr. Charles Kihika and Ge6rge Kariuki was awesome, and i thank them wholeheartedly for their hospitality. Since it was my first time, we therefore managed to introduce ourselves officially.

my main aim for the visit were as follows
1. create collaboration and partnership with chester crabbit farm and other stakeholders that the farm is working with.
2. discuss the challenges that kerayi project and chester rabbit farm are facing and ways of combating such challenges.
3. learn from what what chester rabbit farm is doing and reciprocate the same to them.
4.discuss on the situation of thier market and ways of sustaining the market
5.create a larger network of rabbit farmers through the kerayi project.

i have to state that i managed to learn more than anticipated. Of much interest was the design of the chester rabbitry, which was well integrated in harnessing the rabbit urine and droppings, and being used both as pesticide and manure in Mr. kihika's green house.

It was yet another achievement through the meeting, that we managed to make an appointment and met Mr. D.K. Borter on the 1st of august , the key person in charge of rabbit sector under the ministry of livestock development. Much was discussed and network was created on that day.  I personally thank Mr. Borter for lending us an ear, and promising to work closely with us.

I also thank Mr. Kihika and Mr. Kariuki for the insurmountably information we shared and may God bless you in all your undertakings.

Mr. Otieno carrying a carlifornian white at chester rabbit farm

My parting short is to encourage all of us to work together to enable the rabbit industry prosper in the country.

THE EVENTS OF THE KISUMU AGRICULTURAL SHOW:Friday 29TH July

The Kisumu Agricultural Show was a major pivotal event that brought together many stakeholders in a central and convergence point in a big way. I have to say it was a learning experience for me and many other people who went at mamboleo. I managed to walk to two stand that were of most interest to the project we are currently running.

First, the Kibos prisons presented an elaborate and innovative way of an integrated system of rearing a number of animals form chicken, fish and rabbits at a go, each enjoying some mutual benefits in which chicken and rabbit droppings acting as fish food.

Networks and links were created and  i just have to mention the great work done by the Ministry of Livestock Development in providing a platform for the Seme Rabbit Production Group to showcase their rabbits to a bigger audience. We could see much interests in rabbit rearing from the audience.

I do ask those interested to get in touch with us even as we put things in their right place to promote rabbit consumption in the country.

RECIPES USING RABBIT MEAT

Hello Fellow rabbit farmers. I trust that this finds you well. Today i have managed to get some cool recipes for preparing rabbit dishes. The recipes are from a resourceful site in South Africa. For those of us who would wish to make a delicious meal out of rabbit meat, or even for demonstration purposes to your clients, then this information is most relevant to you.

The site is known as RABBITS FOR AFRICA. Click on the following link for more resourceful information on how to make rabbit dishes: Recipes using Rabbit meat

THE KISUMU AGRICULTURAL SHOW: 27th-31st JULY

It is yet another year to showcase Kenya's agricultural prowess at Kisumu Agricultural Show in Mambolea. I therefore feel obliged to write about this event organized by The Agricultural Society of Kenya. It will surely act as a focal point for all and sundry in the agricultural sector to exchange ideas, discuss challenges, showcase their agricultural products and many more.


We all know that the Horn of Africa is experiencing the worst drought ever in the History of Africa. There is a lot of Starvation in many parts of the country. I believe that it is time to come together as stakeholders and thus kudos to the Kisumu Agricultural Show for bringing this at the most opportune time.


Since we deal in the unique sector of agribusiness on Rabbit Sector, am happy to say that this is an avenue to create awareness on the rabbit industry and how to promote it as an emerging form of agribusiness. We shall therefore attend the show to network and create links with different stakeholders.

I therefore conclude that it is upon us as stakeholders to uplift this sector and sure we will by applying the burning desire to succeed. Our motto stands: Youths for Rabbits, Rabbits for meat, fur and pets.

SIAYA COUNTY IN THE REALM OF CREATING MARKETS FOR THIER RABBITS

SIAYA COUNTY youths have managed to come together and are in the process of creating a markets for themselves on rabbit rearing. Since we acknowledge the involvement of different stakeholders in creating the rabbit value chain, a group known as Kerayi-Wagai Youths have managed to hold talks with officials from the KISUMU BUTCHERIES ASSOCIATION, with assistance from the umbrella KERAYI-CCH. The farmers have been assured of market for their rabbits, access to financial assistance and better breeds to rear. They have also been informed of the opportunities available through the upgrading of the KISUMUAIRPORT to international standards.

The KERAYI-CCH body have also managed to open up a resource, training and collection center for the rabbit famers. The registered company called KERAYI RABBIT PROCESSING LIMITED will offer training and technical support on matters concerning rabbit keeping. It will also act as a source of market for their rabbits.

The meeting was interesting, challengeing and quite motivating. Present were the Kerayi officials,rabbit farmers representative, the area chief, chairman and treaurer of Kisumu Butcheries association. The pictures can talk for themselves. Our aim is to replicate this in other counties. I therefore call upon other youths to emulate our Siaya county friends.

training and resource centre

Kerayi-Wagai Youths office

Wagai Youths office from outside

Meeting held between kerayi officials and Kisumu Butcheries association officials

The South African drug manufacturing firm wanted an order of 3,000 rabbits.

But Catherine Muthoni, a renowned businesswoman, could only produce 600 rabbits. I believe this is a statement which requires much attention. I have to say this was a big deal which could not be met because of lack of supply of rabbits. I do commend Madam Muthoni for a job well done by relaying this kind of information to the public arena, for them to realise the lucrative nature of rabbit keeping.

First i have to say that many people would wish to have Muthoni's contacts to sell thier rabbits to her. A good course it is, but it is quite difficult to have it at the same time. I therefore recommend to the youths who would wish to see Catherine, that it is possible for us to make her come to us for business purpose. This can be done through a very simple and innovative way.

Since there is no supply for madam Muthoni to send to South Africa, let us provide supply. This can only be achieved through holistic involvement of the youths in the national KENYA RABBIT YOUTH INITIATIVE-COUNTIES CHAPTER. Through this project, we are at a higher leverage in creating a well organized channel in geting to Madam Muthoni or to South Africa for that matter.

I therefore conclude by stating that we can make Madam Muthoni come to us as a bigger body rather than searching for her as an individual. And always remember this: YOUTHS FOR RABBITS, RABBITS FOR MEAT, FUR AND PETS!

If you wish to get more information about Madam Catherine Muthoni, follow this link:CATHERINE MUTHONI:LUCRATIVE RABBIT KEEPING