Thesis Abstract

Abstract
Rabbit production is a promising venture for peasant farmers in Takum Local Government Area. This research project aimed to assess the management practices of rabbit production by peasant farmers in the area. The study utilized a mixed-method approach, combining both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods. A total of 100 peasant farmers were surveyed using structured questionnaires, while 10 key informant interviews were conducted with experienced rabbit farmers in the community. The findings revealed that rabbit production is a common practice among peasant farmers in Takum, with a majority of them engaging in the activity as a source of additional income and food security. The study identified key management practices employed by the farmers, including feeding, housing, breeding, health care, and marketing. It was observed that most farmers used locally available feed resources such as grass, kitchen leftovers, and crop residues to feed their rabbits. Housing structures varied among farmers, with some using simple cages while others constructed more elaborate hutches. Breeding practices among the farmers were largely traditional, with most relying on natural mating to propagate their rabbit colonies. Health care practices were also explored, revealing that farmers had limited knowledge of common rabbit diseases and their management. This highlighted the need for capacity building and training programs to improve the health management of rabbits in the area. In terms of marketing, the study found that farmers primarily sold their rabbits at local markets, with limited access to formal markets and veterinary services. Challenges faced by peasant farmers in managing rabbit production included limited access to veterinary services, high mortality rates among young rabbits, and fluctuating market prices. Despite these challenges, rabbit production was perceived as a viable enterprise with the potential for expansion and increased profitability. The study recommends the provision of extension services, training programs, and access to credit facilities to support peasant farmers in improving their rabbit production practices. In conclusion, the management of rabbit production by peasant farmers in Takum Local Government Area is influenced by various factors including feeding, housing, breeding, health care, and marketing practices. Addressing the challenges faced by farmers and providing necessary support could enhance the sustainability and profitability of rabbit production in the area.

Thesis Overview

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF STUDY

The human population growth in developed countries is stabilizing while that of developing countries including Nigeria is still increasing rapidly. Thus, the search for alternative sources of protein to meet up the population challenge is imperative. Economic indices indicate that as this population trend continues, more people are to be fed. Agricultural outputs needs to be increased rather than through food importation into such countries (Allen, 1993). In order to maximize food production and meet protein requirements in Nigeria, viable options need to be explored and evaluated (Owen et al., 2008). Among such alternatives is the use of livestock species that are yet to play a major role in animal production within these countries.

Fast-growing livestock such as rabbits possess a number of features that might be of advantage in the small holder subsistence – type integrated farming in developing countries. Rabbit farming in Nigeria is faced with myriad of problems, which have resulted to a gross shortage of meat to meet up the population challenge in our country (Nworgu, 2007). The growth rate of the Nigerian agricultural sector is below the potentials of natural and human resources due to high cost ofagricultural inputs, poor funding of agriculture, inadequate functional infrastructural facilities, inconsistencies of government agricultural policies, inadequate private sector participation, poor mechanized farming and little or no adoption of some simple agricultural technologies developed by scientists (Nworgu, 2007). In Nigeria, consumption of animal protein remains low at about 6.0-8.4 g/head/day which are far below the 13.5g per day prescribed by the WHO (Egbunike, 1997).

Rabbit production is a veritable way of alleviating animal protein deficiency in Nigeria (Ajala and Balogun, 2004). The rabbit has immense potentials and good attributes which include high growth rate, high efficiency in converting forage to meat, short gestation period, and high prolificacy, relatively low cost of production, high nutritional quality of rabbit meat which includes low fat, sodium, and cholesterol levels. It also has a high protein level of about 20.8% and its consumption is bereft of cultural and religious biases (Biobaku and Oguntona, 1997). The presence of caecal microbes enables the rabbit to digest large amounts of fibrous feed as most non ruminant species cannot (Taiwo et al., 1999).

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Rabbit production in Nigeria plays a significant role in the development and provision of food and materials for marketing purposes; however there are some problems which may be affecting the production of rabbit in Nigeria; these problems could be poor management procedure, poor funding and lack of treatment measure for health promotion in rabbit production area of agriculture. Secondly there have been series of studies on rabbit production but not even a single study has been carried out on the management of rabbit production by peasant farmer in Takum local government area

1.3 AIM AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The main aim of the research work is examine the management of rabbit production by peasant farmer in Takum local government area. Other specific objectives of the study are:

1. to determine the management procedure adopted by peasant farmers in Takum L.GA in rabbit production

2. to examine whether rabbit production influence socio economic development in Takum local government area, Taraba State

3. to investigate on the factors affecting rabbit production in Takum L.G.A, Taraba State

4. to determine if the management of rabbit production in Takum L.G.A, Taraba State is effective

5. to examines the potentials and problems that may be envisaged in rabbit production in Nigeria

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

The study came up with research questions so as to ascertain the above objectives of the study. The research questions for the study are:

1. What are the management procedures adopted by peasant farmers in Takum L.GA in rabbit production?

2. Does rabbit production influence socio economic development in Takum local government area, Taraba State?

3. What are the factors affecting rabbit production in Takum L.G.A, Taraba State?

4. Is the management of rabbit production in Takum L.G.A, Taraba State effective?

5. What are potentials and problems that may be envisaged in rabbit production in Nigeria?

1.5 STATEMENT OF RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS

H0: the management of rabbit production in Takum L.G.A, Taraba State is not effective

H1: the management of rabbit production in Takum L.G.A, Taraba State is effective

1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The study on the management of rabbit production will be of immense benefit to the peasant farmers in Takum local government area of Taraba State in the sense that the study will try to establish a relationship between the management procedure in rabbit production and socio economic development in Takum local government area of Taraba State. The study will also serve as a repository of information to other researchers that desire to carry out similar research on the above topic. Finally the study will contribute to the body of the existing literature on rabbit production in Nigeria.

1.7 SCOPE OF STUDY

The study on the management of rabbit production will focus on peasant farmers in Takum local government area of Taraba State. The study will cover on the relationship between the management procedure in rabbit production and socio economic development in Takum local government area of Taraba State

1.8 LIMITATION OF STUDY

Financial constraint- Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).

Time constraint- The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted for the research work

1.9 DEFINITION OF TERMS

Rabbit: Rabbits are small mammals in the family Leporidae of the order Lagomorpha

Peasant: a poor smallholder or agricultural labourer of low social status (chiefly in historical use or with reference to subsistence farming in poorer countries).