The City Veterinary and Agriculture Office (CVAO) continues to promote rabbit-raising as an alternative to hog-raising as a source of livelihood for urban farmers in the city.
CVAO Supervising Agriculturist Marcelina Tabelin said rabbit farming is a good alternative to hog-raising since rabbits are viable for rearing in urban areas unlike pigs.
“Rabbits are not noisy and they require minimal space to raise,” she said.
She said the rabbit dispersal program was started by the city government in 2021 in cooperation with the Department of Agriculture through the initiative of Mayor Benjamin Magalong to help hog raisers whose source of livelihood was affected with the implementation of the law prohibiting backyard piggeries in highly urbanized cities like Baguio.
This year, the CVAO initiated the establishment of rabbit multiplier farms in Irisan and Sto. Tomas barangays. These farms aim to serve as source of breeders, providing individuals who are interested in purchasing locally-grown breeders.
Tabelin said no permits are necessary for backyard farming, allowing individuals to begin rabbit-raising provided they have sufficient space and can fulfill the animals’ requirements for growth.
Tabelin said they hope that market for rabbit meat will continue to grow for the farmers to sustain their livelihood.
Rabbit meat is widely known to be rich in protein, iron and vitamins. It is also affordable, healthy, as it is lower in fat, cholesterol and sodium than other types of meat. – Precious Yanna G. Vergara and Aileen Refuerzo
