PRODUCTION, MARKETING AND CHALLENGES FACED BY SMALLHOLDER RABBIT FARMERS: A CASE OF MT DARWIN, ZIMBABWE
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Title
PRODUCTION, MARKETING AND CHALLENGES FACED BY SMALLHOLDER RABBIT FARMERS: A CASE OF MT DARWIN, ZIMBABWE
Creator
DELIWE SYLVESTER TEMBACHAKO
MAY MREMA
ANYWAY KATANHA
Description
The study focused on the production marketing of rabbits and the challenges faced by the
smallholder rabbit farmers in the four wardsof Mt Darwin District. The wards were purposively selected. A
descriptive survey method was employed to 85 smallholder rabbit farmers identified through snowballing
method. Results confirm that rabbits are kept mainly for consumption purposes, as66% of the rabbits produced
were consumed and only 34% were sold. The major challenges faced by farmers in producing and marketing
rabbits were inadequate extension services, inadequate feeds, lack of markets and some religious beliefs.
Farmers do not normallymarket their rabbits and anysurplus rabbits are sold to neighbours and local markets
onwilly-nilly basis, no marketing strategies are employed. There is the need for widespread awareness of the
importance of rabbits by government, stakeholders and NGOs through the various media. Extension service
needs to be intensified in the rabbit enterprisein the rural communities.The government and NGOs should aid
the development of rabbit industry and marketing to the outside markets since the income received could help
reduce poverty among smallholder farmers
smallholder rabbit farmers in the four wardsof Mt Darwin District. The wards were purposively selected. A
descriptive survey method was employed to 85 smallholder rabbit farmers identified through snowballing
method. Results confirm that rabbits are kept mainly for consumption purposes, as66% of the rabbits produced
were consumed and only 34% were sold. The major challenges faced by farmers in producing and marketing
rabbits were inadequate extension services, inadequate feeds, lack of markets and some religious beliefs.
Farmers do not normallymarket their rabbits and anysurplus rabbits are sold to neighbours and local markets
onwilly-nilly basis, no marketing strategies are employed. There is the need for widespread awareness of the
importance of rabbits by government, stakeholders and NGOs through the various media. Extension service
needs to be intensified in the rabbit enterprisein the rural communities.The government and NGOs should aid
the development of rabbit industry and marketing to the outside markets since the income received could help
reduce poverty among smallholder farmers
Publisher
Journal of Agriculture and Veterinary Science
Date
2017
Files
Collection
Citation
DELIWE SYLVESTER TEMBACHAKO
, MAY MREMA, and ANYWAY KATANHA, “PRODUCTION, MARKETING AND CHALLENGES FACED BY SMALLHOLDER RABBIT FARMERS: A CASE OF MT DARWIN, ZIMBABWE,” ZOU Institutional Repository, accessed July 6, 2025, https://ir.zou.ac.zw/items/show/156.
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