THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: ‘World of Rabbits’, a project launched by the Thiruvananthapuram City Corporation to develop rabbit-rearing as a viable business, is making rapid strides, with more and more beneficiaries turning to the business, thanks to the comparatively small investment required and better profits obtained.The project, started in July 2008 with 25 units, has now reached almost 80 units. The number will increase to many hundreds, if the satellite units, which have not been included in the Corporation’s list of beneficiaries, are also taken into account.The project works as follows: On payment of Rs. 3,750 to the Corporation, five rabbits - four female and one male - along with rabbit feed and cage are provided to each beneficiary. The initial beneficiaries were given parent stocks brought from the Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute, Kodaikanal. According to Dr Prem Jain, the implementing officer, the project is gaining a foothold even in urban localities like Attipra and Nemom. The revenue from a rabbit is pegged at around Rs. 7,500. “On an average, a single female can have around 36 kittens. With each kitten costing around Rs. 200, the income will be steady,” he said. Apart from the sale of the kitten, the meat industry is also flourishing as the fat and cholesterol content of rabbit meat is far less when compared to mutton or chicken. The market value of the meat is around Rs. 400 per kg. During the festival seasons, this increases further, adding charm to the smiles of people like Geetha Ajith, one among the early entrants to the business. Geetha and her husband ventured into this rather unexplored area four years ago. They belong to the first batch of the beneficiaries who were trained at the Livestock Management Training Centre, Kudappanakkunnu. According to Geetha, the entrepreneurship is highly beneficial in terms of revenue returns. The business helped her stay afloat when her husband had to quit his job unexpectedly a few years back. Her rabbit farm near Pangappara is frequented by customers who seek her opinion on starting their own businesses.Geetha has never discouraged anyone who has approached her to buy kittens for starting their own farms. “I have provided kittens to more than 600 people who later started their own businesses. Profit will be there for sure if you are ready to work hard. If you want to venture into meat business, you can rear ‘Soviet Chinchilla’. They grow much faster. ‘Angora’ breed can be reared for wool and also as an ornamental animal,” she said.
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