March 29, 2024

The city council through Resolution 108, s. 2021 has urged the local farmers and homeowners in Baguio to engage in rabbit production/raising as alternative meat due to the low supply of pork.
The Department of Agriculture has recommended rabbit production/raising to backyard raisers as alternative to hog raising considering a rabbit’s shorter growth cycle than pigs.
“Rabbit production can be profitable if managed properly. It requires little space and can be done on a farm, in one’s backyard, or even in a small space at home. They are very gentle and quiet animals and will not be a nuisance to people. They are also easy and affordable to feed and do not compete for grains with humans. They have a high production capacity; medium-sized breeds that are ideal for meat production can be bred at six months old with a gestation period of only 28-31 day,” the resolution states.
Apart from encouraging hog-raisers to shift raising rabbits, the council also authorized Mayor Benjamin Magalong to sign a memorandum of agreement with the Department of Agriculture-Cordillera for a joint action on livestock raising projects in Baguio.
Livestock raising enhances urban food security and contributes to local economic development by providing an alternative livelihood to displaced hog raisers, daily wage earners affected by the Covid-19, and residents in general.
The DA-CAR committed to provide P10 million to the activities of the project, by distributing free-range chicken, apiary or beekeeping, and rabbit production/raising which will be implemented under the supervision of the City Veterinary and Agriculture Office.
The city council also authorized Magalong to sign a MOA with the Lions Club District 301-C for the implementation of a dietary supplementation program for vulnerable children six to 23 months old in Baguio.
The feeding activity is a component of the city’s five-year nutrition program which is aligned with the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition 2017-2022, the country’s blue print for nutrition interventions to reduce child stunting and wasting, micro-nutrient deficiencies, overweight and obesity in the country.
The activity will be conducted in collaboration with the Department of Health.