THE Zimbabwe Commercial Rabbit Breeders Association (Zicorba) says the demand for rabbit meat in the country continues to surge, with monthly consumption now estimated upwards of 10 tonnes.
In his New Year’s message, Zicorba president Regis Nyamakanga said to address this growing appetite, the association and its partners will implement innovative measures such as contract growing schemes among others.
He also revealed that over the past five years, the association has led the transformation of rabbit farming from a backyard activity into a vibrant and lucrative business enterprise.
"Today, our nation stands proudly as one of the leading rabbit producers in Africa, a testament to our shared vision and relentless efforts," he said.
"The rabbit industry is poised to play a significant role in the growth of Zimbabwe’s small livestock sector. With a target to uplift the livelihoods of 1,8 million households over the next five years, we are on the path to improving lives, creating jobs, and fostering economic growth.
"This is particularly important for our youth and women in rural, urban, and peri-urban areas, where opportunities in rabbit farming are unlocking pathways to prosperity."
He added: "The demand for rabbit meat—rated as the healthiest white meat—continues to surge, with monthly consumption now estimated upwards of 10 tonnes.
"To address this growing appetite, Zicorba and its partners will implement innovative measures such as contract growing schemes, accessible loan facilities for farmers, and rabbit production programs in schools and colleges.
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"The introduction of artificial insemination programmes will further enhance our productivity, ensuring that supply can meet this burgeoning demand."
The Zicorba president said Zimbabwe has also taken the lead in value-addition, with products such as rabbit burgers, pies, samoosas, polony, sausages, and biltong gaining popularity in local markets.
These innovations highlight the creativity and dedication of the industry players, he underscored.
"At the same time, Zicorba is exploring collaborations with insurance providers to safeguard rabbit farmers from potential risks and with experts to develop local vaccines to mitigate disease challenges," Nyamakanga said.
Looking ahead, the association plans to introduce a Rabbit Expo, a platform where farmers from Zimbabwe and neighboring countries will showcase their breeds and exchange knowledge.
This initiative will not only strengthen regional cooperation, but also highlight commitment to excellence and growth.
With an estimated 15 000 rabbit farmers and the potential to grow the industry from its current US$2,5 million valuation to a US$25 million enterprise in short to medium term and to US$100 million in the long term, Nyamakanga said they were on the brink of unprecedented success.
However, achieving this goal requires collective hard work, focus, dedication, innovation, and collaboration, he cautioned.
"As we embark on this journey in 2025, I encourage every stakeholder to stay inspired, committed, and united. Together, we will ontinue to make strides in positioning Zimbabwe as the premier rabbit-producing nation in Africa,” he said.
