Thika Sub County has boosted rabbit farming in the area after constructing a rabbit slaughter house at Makongeni location.
The Sh10 million project under the Economic stimulus program was funded by the ministry of livestock and development.
For now rabbit farmers are expected to take their products in the center where they will be selling them at a better price.
According to Rabbit Breeders Association of Kenya (Rabat) chairman, Peter Wanyama, they are planning to partner with leather council of Kenya so that they can sell rabbit skin which they say will be used in shoe industry for making inner soles and linings.
“The slaughter house is now fully complete and it is expected to boost Rabbit and poultry farming in the area. It will also make marketing of the livestock products easy,” said Wanyama.
Wanyama says that before, farmers have been shying away from rabbit farming due to market challenges.
The slaughter house which includes a cooling section for refrigeration has two sections; one for Rabbits and other one for chicken section products.
“The Rabbits section can keep thousand rabbits while chicken section do at least 1500 birds every day. The meat is to be consumed by the local population and exported to other towns around in Kiambu County,” said Wanyama.
For now Rabbit Breeders Association of Kenya (Rabat) has urged farmers to rear more rabbits since they have solved the market riddle.
According to the Rabat's coordinator, James Njeng'a, plans are underway to procure licensing for exportation of Rabbit meat.
“Already there are importers who have expressed interest in buying from the Association. I am therefore urging farmers not to fear investing in this project,” said Njeng'a.