A new opportunity to promote the raising of rabbits - in this case in rustic warehouses - offers a project promoted by the Small Cattle base business unit (UEB) in the province of Las Tunas that responds to the need to produce more food.

Las Tunas, Cuba.- The entity intends to add some pig farmers who, for different reasons, did not continue pig production; although Osmani Medina Blanco, the production manager and program coordinator, explained that other people may join.

“The main requirement is that they have a 30-meter-long shed or two 15-meter long ones. They should also be nine meters wide and two or three high. But we are open to analysis and accept other variants. The important thing is that some 210 cages can be located in these premises, which we will guarantee.

“Some producers made the warehouses, as the project says, of wood and guano roof; but the ones already made by the former pig breeders can be used. Only a sanitary stop is made, everything is disinfected and when the requirements are met, we sell them the breeding doe.”

Unlike what happens in pig farming, rabbit farming does not need industrial feed. It is enough to plant fodder and the best thing is that there is no obligation with a certain variety because these animals eat more than 120 species.

“They must also have between 3.5 and four hectares for sowing the food that rabbits need, which guarantee growth in all stages, including fattening. That is the advantage of the agreement about other species.

"We, like Company, would be in constant communication to advise them, give training, and clarify any doubts they may have regarding breeding, disease prevention, management, reproduction, and agrotechnical."

So far, eight producers have already been selected, who will receive the cages soon because - as it was verified in visits to the farms - they have created all the conditions. However, there is sufficient capacity to insert other stakeholders.

“When they call us, we can explain any questions they may have; we can assure that the project will be very beneficial for the producers. In the first place, because they have an assured market since the Small Cattle Company will buy all the productions.

“Besides, they will invest less than if they had to buy feed. And finally, we buy the meat at 60 pesos per kilogram. It is estimated, according to calculations made by specialists, that a shed with 100 breeders can generate about 300 thousand pesos each year.

"With that money, they can pay bank loans and access inputs, compensate the hired workers, and invest in their expenses and those of their families," Medina Blanco concluded.

The production of rabbit meat is currently an excellent alternative to substitute imports and contributes to the fulfillment of the five kilograms of animal protein per inhabitant, as average, foreseen in the municipal self-sufficiency program.