| dc.description.abstract | In recent years there has been increased awareness of the advantages of rabbit meat production in
developing countries as a means to alleviate world food shortages. This is largely attributable to
the rabbit's high rate of reproduction; early maturity; rapid growth rate; high genetic selection
potential; efficient feed and land space utilization; limited competition with humans for similar
foods; and high-quality nutritious meat. Globally rabbit production is estimated at more than 1.5
million tons per year, according to (FAO). It is noted that rabbit production in developing
countries is low and only few countries export rabbit meat and other rabbit products. In Nakuru
district rabbit production is quite erratic and this is the reason for carrying out this study. The
purpose of study was to investigate the factors that influence adoption of commercial rabbit
production among farmers in Nakuru district Kenya .The study focused on Lanet, Barut, and
Municipality divisions of Nakuru District. The population under study comprised of 1830
households, 750 households from Lanet Division, 600 households from Barut Division, and 480
households from Municipality Division who rear rabbits. The study adopted a descriptive survey
design which investigated factors that influence commercial rabbit production in Nakuru district
Kenya. The primary data was collected using questionnaires. The collected data were
summarized, coded and tabulated. Descriptive statistics such as means, frequency, and frequency
were used in this study. The followings conclusions were made from the study, that technical
knowledge influenced adoption of commercial rabbit production. Trainings on keeping records,
rabbit feeding, hatchet construction and breed selection should be attended by those keeping or
willing to start rabbit business. Keeping of records is very important in commercial rabbit
production. It was also concluded that marketing factors influence commercial rabbit production.
From the research finding the study recommended that commercial rabbit farmers should be
trained on keeping records, rabbit feeding, hatchet construction and breed selection. Commercial
rabbit keepers should be encouraged to keep records of their enterprises. Viable and well
established markets are always a real economic incentive towards farmers embarking upon any
alternative agricultural enterprise. The farmers should be trained on the available marketing
channels, consumer demand and supply, promotion. | en_US |
