NGO appeals to government to support rabbit production

Ejisu (Ash), Nov 17, GNA - An NGO has appealed to the government to encourage and support the rearing of rabbits on a large-scale in view of the numerous benefits rabbit farmers and the nation stand to gain from their production.

Mr K.A. Abu Seidu, Project Director of Eatwell Practical Rabbitory International (EPRI), a local NGO, connected with promotion of the production and consumption of protein foods, said rabbit meat is now in high demand on the local and international markets, because of its high protein content and also the fact that it was cholesterol free.

Mr. Seidu told the GNA in an interview that besides enhancing the protein in-take of the average Ghanaian, it could also be exported.

He said even though rabbit meat is the appropriate answer to the protein requirement of Ghanaians, policy-makers have often downplayed on its production in favour of poultry.

"Poultry is far less in protein and has high cholesterol than rabbit", he said.

Mr Seidu explained that quite apart from its high protein content and cholesterol-free nature, rabbits are also easy to rear since they could be fed on left over from the kitchen and dinning tables. "They also have the tendency to litter at least five times in a year, with one doe littering 10 bunnies (young ones) on the average", he said.