Rabbit farming: New Hope for the Nippes Department.

Betty, one of the program's beneficiaries.

Three (3) years ago, the Nippes department in Haiti knew almost nothing about rabbit farming. Residents traditionally favored raising goats, sheep, and sometimes poultry. For them, these practices represented a safe investment, a source of meat and quick income, and a legacy passed down from generation to generation. Rabbit farming, on the other hand, was seen as a marginal activity—little known and sometimes considered unprofitable.

In 2021, the food security project, led by AHAAMES, brought about significant changes. Through the establishment of school gardens in two (2) municipalities in the Nippes department—Petit-Trou-de-Nippes and Baradères—new agricultural and livestock-raising practices were introduced. These educational spaces allow residents to learn modern methods adapted to their local context. Members of the school gardens come together to put these techniques into practice, maintain their experimental gardens, and share their experiences.

These gardens are not limited to traditional crops. They also include new varieties that were once unknown or neglected by the community. This diversification aims not only to enrich families’ diets but also to strengthen their resilience in the face of food crises and the effects of climate change.

Among the innovations introduced, rabbit farming has emerged as a true revelation for local communities. Once viewed with suspicion, rabbit farming is now seen as an accessible, quick, and—above all—profitable activity when carried out with skill and dedication.

“With at least three female rabbits to start, you can get about ten offspring per litter, and it requires very little space, unlike other types of livestock farming,” explains Charles, an agronomist who oversees livestock farming for the town of Baradères.

In fact, rabbits reproduce quickly, giving birth to up to 8 baby rabbits per litter. This ability has led to a rapid increase in the rabbit population at the educational farms. When the program launched in October 2024, the educational farms in Baradères and Petit-Trou-de-Nippes each had 20 rabbits (16 females and 4 males). Today, these two sites are home to more than a hundred baby rabbits.

Once weaned, these rabbits are distributed directly to the participants in the field schools. Each recipient receives 3 female rabbits and 1 male rabbit to start their own breeding program.

Betty Walney, a participant in the Baradères educational farm program, has already received her four rabbits. “With the four rabbits I received from the educational farm, I can finally start my own breeding operation. Thanks to the new baby rabbits they’ll give birth to, I’ll be able to feed my family and earn an income… Based on what I learned during the training sessions, rabbit meat is extremely nutritious.”

Betty takes care of the rabbits she received from AHAAMES.

According to Betty, rabbit farming used to be looked down upon in her community. “People really didn’t think much of raising rabbits because they thought it wouldn’t bring in any money. Fortunately, I had taken part in the training sessions organized as part of this project, and that gave me an idea of how much I could earn.”

To date, a total of 325 rabbits have been distributed in the municipalities of Petit-Trou-de-Nippes (157 rabbits) and Baradères (168 rabbits) to 100 beneficiaries, including 48 women and 52 men.

The field team will continue to support the beneficiaries, as rabbit farming remains a new and fragile endeavor for these communities. In the coming months, this initiative will help families feed their children while generating an income.

Darlou Alexandre | Comm. Officer