Why Farmers in Kano Have Abandoned Poultry and Fish for Rabbit Production

Rising demand for rabbits has increased prices to N6,000-N8,000 per pair. Rabbit farming is becoming popular in Kano due to its low startup costs and rabbits’ ability to eat a wide variety of foods. Nutritionist Malam Habibu Musa highlights rabbits as a low-fat, high-protein food source, now favored for healthier diets. With chicken and fish feed prices soaring, many farmers have switched to rabbit farming, finding it more profitable. Farmer Malam Adamu Ussaini noted high returns and growing demand for medicinally valued rabbit meat, now supplied to various Nigerian states. Source: Daily Trust

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The rising demand for rabbit meat has significantly increased its price in Kano, with a pair now selling for N6,000 to N8,000, depending on size. This surge is attributed to the low startup cost and the rabbits’ ability to consume a wide variety of foods. According to Kano-based nutritionist Malam Habibu Musa, rabbits are a high-protein, low-fat food source that has gained popularity as a substitute for chicken. The rise in demand is partly due to the emphasis on healthier diets and the affordability of rabbit farming compared to poultry and fish farming, which have been impacted by high feed costs.
Rabbit farming offers numerous advantages, including quick breeding cycles, high reproductive potential, rapid growth rates, and the ability to consume forages and other food sources. Malam Adamu Ussaini, a rabbit farmer and retired civil servant, noted that rabbit farming provides over 200 percent return on investment, with demand for rabbit meat booming due to its perceived health benefits. This growing industry supplies various states, including Kogi, Benue, Kwara, Ibadan, and Port Harcourt, providing relief to farmers facing financial constraints in poultry and fish production.