𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐍𝐄𝐒 | 𝐓𝐀𝐔 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐫𝐚𝐛𝐛𝐢𝐭 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐃𝐀-𝐁𝐀𝐈, 𝐍𝐔𝐏𝐀𝐏 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩

𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐍𝐄𝐒 | 𝐓𝐀𝐔 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐫𝐚𝐛𝐛𝐢𝐭 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐃𝐀-𝐁𝐀𝐈, 𝐍𝐔𝐏𝐀𝐏 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩

The Department of Agriculture - Bureau of Animal Industry (DA-BAI), through the National Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture Program (NUPAP), provided 25 breeder stocks of New Zealand rabbits to Tarlac Agricultural University (TAU) on 10 September, in partnership with AVEN Nature’s Farm.

The turnover included 30 cages, plastic mattings, complete nipple drinker sets, nest boxes, and five bags of feeds to support the initial operation of the rabbit production project. TAU’s counterpart includes providing housing for the rabbits and managing their care and overall production activities. Mr. Ramquel P. Tendido, Instructor I from the College of Agriculture and Forestry (CAF) oversees the project at the university.

The initiative aims to advance urban and peri-urban agriculture by promoting sustainable food production, introducing appropriate agricultural technologies and strengthening collaboration among government agencies, state universities and private partners. Under the partnership, DA-BAI is also tasked with providing technical guidance and assistance, monitoring project implementation, and supporting the collection and evaluation of production data.

For TAU, the project opens opportunities for research, instruction, and extension activities centered on rabbit production. Mr. Tendido noted that the university could conduct studies on rabbit raising as the industry emerges as a potential agricultural enterprise. He also cited rabbit meat as a possible alternative protein source, particularly amid concerns over African swine fever (ASF) and its effects on the hog industry.

The breeder stocks will also serve as instructional resources, allowing students to gain practical experience in animal production and management. Through hands-on learning, the project can complement classroom instruction and help develop students’ understanding of animal husbandry and responsible livestock production.

Beyond instruction and research, TAU plans to conduct extension activities to raise awareness of rabbit production and consumption, assess the acceptability of rabbit meat, and share production knowledge with communities. As the breeder stocks reproduce, the university may also distribute rabbit stocks to qualified beneficiaries to support community-based production and livelihood opportunities.

Mr. Tendido also acknowledged AVEN Nature’s Farm, owned by Mr. Artemio C. Veneracion Jr., as the source of the breeder rabbits provided through DA-BAI and NUPAP. He recognized the farm’s contribution to the initiative and the importance of collaboration among agricultural partners in advancing the project.

Under the agreement, TAU will coordinate with DA-BAI in producing rabbit breeders for local communities, provide technical assistance in accordance with good animal husbandry practices and animal health and welfare standards, and observe applicable biosecurity protocols. 

The partnership further provides for capacity-building activities, hands-on training and regular project assessments to identify improvements and support long-term implementation. These measures are intended to strengthen knowledge-sharing, improve production practices and help ensure the sustainability of the initiative.

#SmartTAU #GreenandGlobal #AnimalScience #DA-BAI #RabbitBreeder #NUPAP #SDG4 #SDG11 #SDG17

Text | Angelica A. Fe [College of Agriculture and Forestry] and Carmina S. Melchor [Information Unit]

Photos | Department of Animal Science

Graphics | Carol Jane B. Caragay [Information Unit]