Rabbit Farming: A Project Feasibility Study On An Urban Farming Project in Barangay San Juan, Antipolo City
Rabbit Farming: A Project Feasibility Study On An Urban Farming Project in Barangay San Juan, Antipolo City
Background
A burrowing, gregarious, plant-eating mammal with long ears, long hind legs, and a short
tail also known a rabbit. According to nutritionists, rabbit meat tends to be rich in good proteins
while low in fat. Individuals with health issues will enjoy that rabbit has less calories and sodium
than other meats. It's also an excellent source of minerals and vitamins. With high quantities of
B3, potassium, B12, and selenium, you’ll be getting your daily requirements in one meal.
Industrialization of farming in recent decades has rendered small farms unprofitable for
traditional grain farming or livestock operations. Similarly, the barrier to entry for first-
generation farmers is high considering the large amounts of acreage that are required to create a
sustainable income from mainstream grain farming.
We set out to discover if meat rabbitries could become a major new revenue opportunity
for small family farms in the next generation, as well as first-generation farmers entering the
agricultural arena for the first time specially here in Antipolo
Project Description
Rabbit farming is an undertaking in the agricultural industry which is the biggest sector
of the economy. Many youths in the country ignore the agricultural sector because of its hands
on nature but its returns are high due to its primary production nature.
The project is designed as a three-year pilot intervention initiative that aims to give knowledge to
the participants beneficiaries where they can use their own backyard or their disposable
containers, the project will provide them with an avenue to increase their family income through
with the goal of improving family relations. It will begin by providing the target beneficiaries
with training to manage and operate the farm production. They will likewise be in charge of
running the farm, with the owner and its designated Project Management Team (PMT)
supervising the operations.
One female rabbit can give birth about 2 to 8 kids each time.
Rabbit meat is very tasty, nutritious and easily digestible. All aged people can eat without
any problem.
Rabbit farming requires less labor compared to another animal farming business.
Rabbits are placed after poultry In the case of meat production
Commercial rabbit farming business requires relatively less capital and you will get back
your investment within a very short period.
As it is a highly profitable business, so commercial production can be a great source of
earning and employment.
Rabbit wool is 6 – 8 times warmer than the contemporary sheep wool. It can be mixed
with silk, polyester, rayon, nylon, sheep wool, and other fibers to make good quality
handlooms as well as hand knitted apparels.
Rabbit business gives tremendous income source and is not a seasonal business as
productivity from rabbits is same throughout the year.
2.4. Demand for the rabbit meat products produced in the farm
The demand for rabbit meat is huge in Philippines specially in Antipolo, leaving the
market completely unsatisfied. Due to its health properties – with the World Health Organization
describing rabbit meat as the healthiest available as a result of its high protein and low-fat
content – the meat has become especially trendy in Antipolo restaurants.
2.7. Pricing
There's huge potential for rabbit meat, but farmers noted that the Philippines has a long way to
go for it to be widely available and acceptable. According to the interview with the rabbit farm
producer, the price of the price of the rabbit meat would be PHP 400 per kilogram.
3.1. Products
Rabbit meat are the result of this feasibility study Rabbit meat is often categorized
as game meat, meaning meat that’s acquired through hunting for sport or food. Game meat, in
turn, is divided into three categories: small birds, game proper, and big game. Rabbit meat falls
under the category of game proper and ground game. However, rabbit hunting comprises only a
small portion of the annual rabbit meat consumption. Today rabbits are commonly bred and kept
as livestock. The agricultural practice of breeding and raising domestic rabbits, mainly for their
meat, fur, and wool, is called cuniculture.
Meat Percentage of Percentage of fat Calories per pound
protein
Rabbit 20.8 10.25 795
Most rabbit keeping in the tropics is for the production of meat. Skins and manure are by-
products. Many rabbit products are wasted because they are not properly treated. If the rabbit
keeper knows what to do with these products, he will find rabbit keeping much more profitable.
The
Slaugther Skinning
carcase
Manure Skin
1. Slaughter The usual time to kill rabbits for meat in Europe and America is when they
reach a weight of around 2.2 kg which they do at between two and three months of age. A
rabbit should not be frightened at the time of slaughter. Apart from humane reasons, the
meat may be damaged if the animal is frightened at this time.
2. Skinning The knife used to skin a rabbit must be very sharp and clean. Skinning should
be carried out in the following manner:
Cut off the tail.
Make a circular cut in the skin around the neck
Join these two cuts by making a long cut along the inside of one thigh, pass the
base of the tail and down the other thigh.
Pull the skin off down each leg and over the whole body as far as the neck.
Make a cut around the neck on the inside of the skin, and around each front leg.
Pull the skin over the neck and clear of the body, taking care not to get blood on
it.
Place the skin on a stretcher and hang it up to dry.
3. Preparation of the carcass
Make a cut along the centerline of the belly from the anus to the ribs, taking care
not to cut the intestines.
Remove the intestines and bladder but leave the heart, liver and kidneys. The gall
bladder should be carefully separated from the liver and removed without
bursting. It contains bile, a green liquid with a bitter taste, which must not be
allowed to contaminate the meat. Care should also be taken to remove that part of
the intestines which runs through the pelvic bones. To make this easier, the pelvis
may be broken and the bones separated.
Remove the head and the four feet.
This will depend on the market. In most cases the whole carcass is preferred
though there may be some local demand for joints.
Remove pieces of fur, dirt and blood stains from the carcass using a clean, damp
cloth and rinse the carcass quickly in clean cold water.
Store in a cool place (with no flies) overnight.
4. Treatment of skin. If the main reason for keeping the rabbits is for meat, then the skins
are a by-product. They are unlikely to be of high quality, especially those from young
rabbits under six months of age. There may, or may not, be a market for them locally.
The breeder may wish to keep a few for use in the home. If the skins are to be sold or
used, the first step is to dry or cure them, then to treat them chemically.
5. Manure from the rabbitry has considerable value as a fertilizer and it should therefore not
be wasted. There are several ways of dealing with it.
Housing
The rabbitry should be an enclosed building that has proper ventilation, lighting,
heating, and cooling systems. Heating and ventilation are crucial because rabbits do not
tolerate temperature extremes very well. You should maintain the herd on a year-round
schedule of 12 hours each of light and darkness to keep the rabbits breeding throughout the
year.
Many different types of hutches can be used. However, all metal cages help prevent
unsanitary conditions that can lead to health problems. The cages should be made of 1-by-
2-inch mesh for the sides and top and 0.5-by-1-inch mesh for the floor. Hanging the cages
from the ceiling in single layers makes management easier for the producer. Mature bucks
and does should have individual cages that are at least 30 inches wide, 30 inches deep, and
20 inches high. Junior does, fryers, and Angora rabbits (nonbreeding does and castrated
bucks) may be kept in small groups in one pen. Each cage should have a feed hopper and a
watering system attached to the outside of the cage.
Nest Box
A nest box should be placed in the hutch prior to kindling (birth) to provide
seclusion for the doe and protection for the litter. Nest boxes should provide enough room
for each doe and her litter but should be small enough to keep the litter close together. Nest
boxes can be made of nontreated wood, wire mesh, or sheet metal. During cold weather,
bedding such as straw or wood shavings is also recommended. The box should be enclosed
except for a small opening on top for the doe to enter.
Equipment
Cages We recommend that you use all-wire cages. Hutches (or cages) with
wooden parts are not sanitary or as convenient to manage.
A 30" x 30" x 18" wire cage is large enough for a doe and litter. Also
use this size cage for each buck. It allows room for adequate exercise.
You may also use a 30" x 36" x 18" cage, especially if you leave fryers
with the doe until 8 weeks of age. If you remove fryers from the doe at 4
weeks and raise them separately, the larger cage will support 7-8 fryers
to market (4 pounds). You will need about 7 grow-out cages for every
10 working does.
Each rabbitry must have some extra cages set aside for isolation. Two to
four are needed for each fifty working does. These cages are for
isolation of sick animals and new breeding stock. Isolate these animals
for three or four weeks. Keep show animals away from the breeding
stock, since they are often exposed to diseases at shows.
Feeders We recommend metal feeders because they are easily kept clean. They attach to
the cage and remove easily for disposal of stale or moldy feed. Screen-bottom
feeders eliminate the problem of feed fines.
Waterers An automatic nipple-type water system is best. This system is sanitary and
accommodates heat tapes to prevent freezing. Use one nipple per cage. Locate
nipples near the middle of the cage and 8 inches above the floor of the cage.
Nest Boxes Many types of nest boxes are available. An open top 12" x 18" x 10" plywood
box works well. Sides of ¾" plywood and ends and bottoms of ½" plywood
work well. The bottoms should be removable for easy cleaning.
Materials for constructing the buildings
The Roof For the small rabbitry a thatched roof is appropriate. Although thatch does not
last so long as certain other materials, such as corrugated iron, it has much
better insulating properties against heat and cold. If the roof is properly made it
should keep out the rain for several seasons. The initial work and subsequent
maintenance of thatch can become costly in the case of larger buildings and for
these it may be better to use galvanized iron.
To overcome the poor insulation provided by an iron roof against the heat of the
sun, materials such as palm leaves can be fastened on top during very hot
weather.
The Walls The use of bricks made locally can help to keep down the cost of the building.
In areas where there are forests, offcuts of wood can sometimes be obtained
cheaply from ‘saw mills’ and may be used in place of brick for the walls.
The Door This may be constructed from materials which include sawn timber, offcuts,
small bush poles, iron sheets, wire netting, bamboo etc.
The Floor The provision of a concrete floor, while rather costly, has certain advantages in
an enclosed or semi-enclosed building. The main advantage lies in being able to
clean out and disinfect the building thoroughly. In the simplest designs the floor
slopes gently towards the door
If a concrete floor cannot be provided, the earth floor should be rammed hard
which will discourage rats from building nests.
The farm will use suitable solid waste management techniques. All biodegradable
trash must be composted to ensure soil fertility. Nonbiodegradable wastes must be
divided into recyclable and residual wastes. Manure from the rabbitry has considerable
value as a fertilizer and it should therefore not be wasted. There are several ways of
dealing with it.
Government budgeting is the critical exercise of allocating revenues and borrowed funds
to attain the economic and social l goals of the country. It also entails the management of
government expenditures in such a way that will create the most economic impact from the
production and delivery of goods and services while supporting a healthy fiscal position. The
purpose of this National Budget Memorandum (NBM) is to advise departments and agencies on
the amount of fiscal space available for Tier 2 in FY 2022, based on macroeconomic
assumptions and fiscal aggregates agreed by the Development Budget Coordination Committee
(DBCC) on May 18, 2021. Table 4: Tools and equipment used The Philippine economy
contracted by 9.5 percent in 2021
The Philippine economy contracted by 9.5 percent in 2020, reversing the 6.0 percent
growth in the previous year, but still within the revised DBCC growth target of -8.5 to -9.5
percent.1 Economic growth was principally affected by the quarantine restrictions imposed in the
country to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVlD-19) pandemic. Sluggishness in
global trade and tourism also contributed, although the impact of these developments was
tempered by the gradual easing in quarantine restrictions as well as healthcare system
improvements during the second semester.
Growth prospects are largely hinged on three (3) interventions to minimize the spread of
the COVID-19 and safely reopen the economy. The DBCC projects that the economy will
recover with a 6.0 to 7.0 percent growth in 2021, but is not expecting a return to pre-pandemic
GDP levels until 2022. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) expects inflation to remain
elevated in the coming months on account of supply constraints and domestic price increases in
key food commodities.
Other assumptions that are critical to the financial predictions come into play, in addition
to the budget and accounting requirements set by the Philippine Constitution Macroeconomic
Assumptions, FYs 2021-2024 and the supervisory bodies (particularly the COA, DBM, and the
Local Government of Quezon City). These are components that are specific to the ecological and
demographic conditions of the community recipient.
Much has already been said in this book about preventing sickness and injury. Good
feeding and proper housing, for example, are as important as anything described in this chapter.
This is especially true for rabbits because they are not free to find their own food and shelter.
They rely entirely on the rabbit keeper to provide everything they need.
Coat The coat of the animal should be sleek and glossy all over with no dull patches.
The shedding of hair (mounting) at certain times of year is quite normal but
scurf (loose flecks of skin) should not be present on the coat.
Eyes The eyes should be bright with no discharge coming from them. The rabbit
should appear alert.
Movement When it moves, the movements should be easy and free. When resting it should
be relaxed and breathing evenly and silently at a rate of from 38-65 breaths per
minute. The rabbit should not sit huddled in a corner, nor should it move stiffly
Appetite A normal appetite is a good sign. If an animal suddenly goes off its food, the
cause should be investigated immediately. It could be an early sign of disease,
or it could be due to a sudden change in diet.
Droppings These should be normal in amount and appearance. Any signs of diarrhea
should be noted and the cause investigated.
Body The body of a healthy rabbit is well fleshed in the right areas - the back, loins,
rump, thighs and shoulders. It should not appear ‘bony’, nor should it be
‘potbellied’.
Weight and Adult rabbits should stay at about the same weight, though some breeding
Growth females tend to lose weight when they are suckling their young.
Discharges There should be no discharges from any part of the body including the eyes,
nostrils, mouth, vent, anus and teats.
Sores and The skin should be free from sores and there should be no swellings anywhere
Swellings
Temperature The pulse rate of a healthy rabbit is normally 140-150 per minute and the body
and Pulse temperature is 39°C. These are not checked every day of course, but only if a
disease is suspected.
The best way to deal with disease is to prevent it occurring by good management. The
following measures will help to prevent disease:
Buy from a Any new rabbits bought in should come from a reputable breeder with a good
reputable record of health in his rabbitry.
breeder
Quarantine should be established in a place separate from the other rabbits (see Section
quarters 6.7). They should be used for:
New arrivals These should be kept for two weeks in quarantine to make
sure they are free from disease. Rabbits returning to the rabbitry after a
period of absence (e.g., for showing or mating) should also spend two
weeks in quarantine.
Rabbits suspected of having a disease If a disease which can be spread
from one rabbit to another, such as myxomatosis, is suspected, the
affected animals should be isolated
All estimates and projections in this financial feasibility report are based on the most
recent data gathered from various institutions such as the Department of Agriculture (DA), the
Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the Quezon City Anti-Drug Abuse Council (QCADAC),
Trading Economics, the Quezon City local government, and the United Nations' Food and
Agriculture Organization (FAO), as well as the practices of local urban farmers as found on a
website. The forecasts for the next two to five years are based on the most recent predicted
inflation rate, which is expected to be between 3.6 and 3.9 percent during the next five years
(Trading Economics, 2017).
4.4. Profitability
Given all of the aforementioned variables and calculations, the financial research
concludes that this type of urban farming enterprise is only profitable when government entities
provide a subsidy. Fixed assets such as the construction of the office building and computers,
salary of personnel (management staff), salary of employees/construction workers for office
building construction, and training of farmer beneficiaries are among the high expenses that will
be incurred that are not directly related to farming operations. Water usage is the only expected
high cost directly related to farming activities. As a result, if the subsidy covers the additional
overhead and indirect costs, the project can be considered feasible.
In this sense, the feasibility study will evaluate the benefits of an urban agricultural
cooperative to its members and the community as a whole. It will also analyze the project's
economic advantages, such as job creation, earnings and salaries, taxes, commodity supply, and
material demand. The net present value, internal rate of return, benefit cost ratio, and cash
payback duration will be the quantitative indicators used in this economic study to achieve this.
Benefits
The project's identified advantages might be both concrete and intangible. The intangible
advantages are as follows:
5.1. Cost
The investment and management of the urban farm and the cooperative's office
account for the majority of the project's expenditures. These expenses include the
utilization of actual resources, capital costs that are categorized, as well as operation
and maintenance expenses.
The expenses of creating, constructing, and constructing the project are known as
capital costs. These are fixed expenditures associated with the acquisition of
physical items, such as the construction of the urban farm.
Materials, labor, and any other expenditures incurred to fund the urban farm
cooperative's day-to-day activities are included in operation and maintenance. All
administrative expenditures, wages and salaries, utility payments, security, and
other monitoring and evaluation costs are included in this category.
This chapter on risk and sensitivity analysis delves into this critical component, which
transforms the estimations presented in the previous chapters "from a deterministic world... to a
probabilistic one where uncertainty reigns but some information of expected probability
distribution exists" (NEDA, 2005). Key variables are discovered through sensitivity analysis, and
changes in their values are assessed based on their impact on the project's success. There is also a
list of project hazards mentioned.
Risk Assessment
In addition to the risks associated with the project's financial feasibility, risks associated
with its overall implementation and success must be recognized. This lets you to analyze the
likelihood of a negative outcome and "find strategies to make the project more resilient, as well
as ensuring that the risks that remain are adequately handled."
The following key risks were identified for the “rabbit meat in Antipolo” project: 1)
underproduction, 2) overproduction, 3) extreme weather conditions such as heavy rains and
intense heat, and 4) limited participation and commitment among target participants.
For these risks, specific contingency plans and mitigation actions have also been
established. On a manufacturing level, frequent monitoring and control should be carried out.
While harsh weather is unavoidable, the impacts may be lessened by correctly installing
materials to protect crops and coordinating with the local DRRM council to monitor the
occurrence of natural disasters and how to respond appropriately. Target participants'
commitment and engagement should be avoided and addressed from the start through advocacy
campaigns that highlight the project's advantages to them
I. Project office/units
The group has selected the offices or units below that are significant to the
organization and management of the urban farming project in Barangay San Juan, based
on the analysis offered in the earlier sections of this paper:
Reference
https://www.slideshare.net/MargieCapitle/feasibility-study-presentation-rabittry
https://projects.sare.org/sare_project/fnc12-850/
https://foodstruct.com/food/rabbit-meat
https://www.dartagnan.com/buy/rabbit-meat/