RABBIT, THE MOST HEALTHIEST WHITE MEAT FOR CONSUMPTION – EKSU Prof. FAS Dairo | Clip TV Online

This was said during the Lagos State chapter of Rabbit Farmers Association of Nigeria (RAFAN) 2022 rabbit fiesta on Saturday. It has been laudable, said the President of the State chapter, Mr. Dehinde Sanya.

Lectures by Dr. Mrs Ogunleye from the Lagos State Ministry of Agric, Veterinary Service Division enlightened the RAFAN members of the importance of Biosecurity in every farm. She emphasized the importance of having a feet basin in every farm. She included that this could be the cheapest security for each rabbit farm.

On the same note, she insisted that all farms should create space for the washing of hands before entering and when leaving the farm.

She also highlights basic systems to keep rabbit farms safe from diseases.

Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency (SMEDAN) official Mrs. Olusola Oluwole at the festival encouraged members of the association to register with SMEDAN. She mentioned that the government recognized small, medium even micro enterprises and are willing, ready to develop and support the businesses to thrive.

She said, she never knew there’s an association of Rabbit Farmers. If SMEDAN had been aware of RAFAN, the just concluded exhibition wouldn’t have ended without RAFAN.

Nevertheless, registration with SMEDAN will spur the association to many opportunities available from the state government.

There are grants, loans with competitive interest or interest that can’t be awarded anywhere else, she said. Nigerians are fond of getting scared that government initiatives comes with registration, tax hazard and the likes.

She however, encouraged RAFAN members that this is not always the case. She also mentioned that SMEDAN will even help to acquire needed documents if necessary and will issue certificates after training their participants.

She concluded by tasking RAFAN to coin a slogan that can be used in gatherings of this nature and to serve as recognition stamp for members.

Dr. Festus Ayodeji Sunday (FAS) Dairo, Prof. Dept. of Animal Production and Health Sciences (Ekiti State University) in his lecture said, rabbits may easily be fed in the absence of concentrated feed. Rabbits consumed various types of leaves and grass which makes rabbit farming more economical than other animal.

He outlines the value chain recognized in the rabbit farming. Many of this value chain are yet to be fully explored, he said.

There are Meat production, hide and skin, pet, production for research and so on. Rabbit is purely white meat which makes the consumption healthier than every other meat like pork or beef.

Each member of the association has to propagate the gospel of rabbit meat, he cited examples of how to share this gospel. It could be using rabbit meat as a gift, especially during this festive periods. Doing a road show, forming cooperative society, having local branches of the association rather than the state alone, just to mention a few.

He encouraged RAFAN to process rabbit meat and share among government officials so they can feel rabbit taste. This could hasten government acceptance and recognition of RAFAN he concluded.

As the Fiesta wine down, the RAFAN President (Lagos State Chapter) Mr. Dehinde Sanya express appreciations to the Almighty, RAFAN members, guests, exhibitors, management and staffs of Voice of Nigeria (VON), government officials and representatives and the executive committee for the success of the 2022 Rabbit Fiesta. He said this couldn’t have happened without the excos. Some of them who couldn’t come, ensure they did all that is to be done, he said in his remarks.

I also want to thank Prof. FAS Dairo specially, despite the current fuel scarcity, he came all the way from Ekiti State.

like I said, it’s been success all through. We have learned, relearn and unlearn somethings. We are optimistic that 2023 Lagos State RAFAN Fiesta will be bigger, better than this. Many of our members will be making more money from rabbit farming as we bring things learned today to practicality.