Justin Magiri, founder of Milimag Rabbits Farm (MRF) in Bamburi-Utange, has been at the forefront of promoting rabbit farming. A finance professional turned agricultural entrepreneur, he provides training to local farmers, emphasizing financial management in agribusiness. Last Saturday, in collaboration with the Mombasa Women Network in Agribusiness, Magiri led a workshop that trained 600 women on rabbit rearing.
Despite its benefits, rabbit farming in Mombasa is still in its early stages. Magiri highlighted the nutritional value of rabbit meat, describing it as a lean, low-cholesterol protein source rich in vitamin B12 and omega-3 fatty acids.
“Meat from rabbit is very healthy compared to red meat, which is high in fat and cholesterol, and it’s friendly to individuals who want to manage health conditions like cardiovascular diseases,” he said.
He urged women and youth to explore rabbit farming as a business opportunity, noting that beyond meat, other products such as skins, urine, and manure have market potential. “Rabbits’ droppings make excellent organic fertilizer that can improve soil fertility and reduce dependence on chemical pesticides,” he explained.
MRF field coordinator Stephen Msechu emphasized that rabbit farming requires minimal space and resources.
“One can utilize very little space to rear rabbits. They consume less feed than other livestock animals, and their gestation periods are too short, meaning they reproduce very quickly,” he noted.
Ms. Matma Barayan, chairperson of the Youth Enterprise Development Fund (YEDP), encouraged young people to apply for government loans to start rabbit farming, describing it as a profitable venture. “The gesture by MRF to pass on very valuable knowledge on rabbit farming is a great thing for the people of Mombasa, and we urge you all to take up this kind of farming,” she said.
Magiri further revealed that MRF operates certified slaughterhouses licensed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock to ensure the safety of rabbit meat. “Being located in the hugely cosmopolitan port city of Mombasa, we are also Halal compliant and thus meet the needs of our diverse clientele,” he added.
He also pointed out China’s rising demand for rabbit meat, suggesting that Kenyan farmers could tap into export opportunities. “We know that it is a herculean task that will involve lots of paperwork and licenses for meat exports; hence the need to prepare our farmers well for this export market apart from supplying the local and regional markets,” Magiri said.
Among the recommended rabbit breeds for commercial farming are the Chinchilla, New Zealand White, Californian White, Havana, and Flemish Giant, known for their rapid growth, adaptability, and high-quality meat production.
At Mama Ngina Waterfront Park, Mr. Ali Noor commended MRF for empowering women with skills in rabbit farming. “This is a laudable move aimed at ensuring that our people venture into agribusiness and reap the benefits of cuniculture,” Noor stated.