KUCHING: The state government is encouraging small-medium enterprises (SMEs) to venture into rearing rabbits for export as there is high demand in the market.
Entrepreneur and Small, Medium Enterprise (SME) Development Assistant Minister Datuk Mohd Naroden Majais said extensive demand for rabbit meat would enable SMEs to penetrate foreign markets such as China and Singapore.
“The current insufficient supply of rabbit meat creates an opportunity for rural communities to increase their income,” he said to reporters after closing Rabbit & Co-operatives Entrepreneurs Carnival 2019 at Cooperative College of Malaysia Sarawak Branch at Sego Centre, yesterday.
“I was informed that 300 tonnes of rabbit meat were supplied to Kuala Lumpur every month. This does not include other states in Malaysia.
“Roughly speaking, it is estimated that 400,000 tonnes are needed for Kuala Lumpur alone per year.” he said, adding that the land capital for breeding rabbit is not as much as for rearing chickens.
“I was informed that an acre of land can be used to raise about 300 rabbits. In fact, breeding rabbit is much faster because they give birth and grow faster,” he said.
To encourage SMEs to rear rabbits, Naroden advised them to use Kokesa (Koperasi Keluarga Syeikh Affendi Kuching Berhad) as their role model.
“We will review Kokesa’s request for RM150,000 under our Loan Scheme For Small and Medium Industry (SPIKS).
“The rabbit rearing industry promises high revenue as each rabbit can be sold for between RM38 and RM40 per kilogramme. Chicken meat is sold for around RM8 to RM10 per kg.
“Currently, Kokesa has not been able to meet the current high demand for rabbit meat which is very nutritious,” he said.
