City eyes rabbit breeding as alternative livelihood

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City government is studying the possibility of breeding rabbits that will serve as alternative livelihood for hog raisers who are affected by African Swine Fever (ASF).

The special assistant to the mayor on veterinary, agriculture and fisheries, Dr. Alice Utlang, said that Cebu City Agriculture Department (CAD), Department of Veterinary Medicine and Fisheries (DVMF) and the office of Councilor Pastor “Jun” Alcover are collaborating for this step.

She said that the local government's target is to give rabbits to those hog raisers whose livelihood was cut off due to ASF.

Before it is given to the beneficiaries, the raisers will go through a three-day seminar so that they really know how to take care of the rabbit properly.

This will serve as their alternative livelihood since rabbit meat is one of the most popular ingredients in some dishes.

Once the program for the distribution of rabbits is started, the next step is to propose to the local government to produce its own rabbit slaughterhouse.

"Kinahanglan gyud nga ilain ang ihawan sa rabbit. Ma-konsiderar man gud na nga halal, dili siya puwede isagol sa ihawan sa baboy. Pinaagi sad ana, maseguro gyud nato ang saktong pamaagi sa pag-ihaw sa rabbit ug luwas kini nga ibaligya ngadto sa mga tawo," Utlang said, in an interview with The Freeman yesterday.

This plan will be added to the ongoing livestock production program of the Cebu City government.

Apart from the rabbit, also included in that program is teaching how to raise cows and chickens. — GMR (FREEMAN)