ARaMP Goes to Malaysia (International Conference on Rabbit Production in Tropical Climate 2019)

The Association of Rabbit Meat Producers, Inc. (ARaMP) had wanted to benchmark with other Asian countries with regards rabbit production methods and technologies. The association wanted to see how the Philippine Rabbit Industry fares with the rabbit industry in other Asian Countries. An earlier plan to go to Vietnam was shelved because of lack of itinerary and identified rabbit farms to visit.

When the invitation to attend the International Conference on Rabbit Production in Tropical Climate 2019 was received from the Malaysian Rabbit Breeders Association (MARBA), ARaMP Inc. President Art Veneracion readily accepted the opportunity to see rabbit production systems in other tropical countries. To his surprise, a lot of members registered to go to Malaysia to participate in the conference. The list of speakers was impressive and the conference will provide the members a chance to hear, ask questions and meet the rabbit gurus whose writings were used as reference materials and guide by rabbit producers all over the world. The description “in Tropical Climate” emphasized the conference’s relevance to Philippine conditions.

A total of twenty two ARaMP Inc. members joined the Malaysian trip and participated in the conference. Although happy with the big interest and turn out of participants, Art Veneracion was a bit worried that the ARaMP members’ maybe expecting too much from the trip and these may be difficult to meet. Careful not to dampen the group’s enthusiasm, members were advised to tone down expectations, since both the Philippines and Malaysia just started rabbit production fairly recently.

Keynote speakers included Prof. Steven Lukefahr, Professor Department of Animal Science and Veterinary Technology of the Texas A & M University Kingsville, USA whose topic was “In Times of Disaster: Rabbit Projects to the Rescue”. He said that rabbit projects can provide quick and permanent relief with minimal economic risk to disaster stricken areas.

Dr. Thierry Gidenne, President of the World Rabbit Science Association (WRSA) from France spoke about “Integrated Urban Farming” and “Rabbit Nutrition in Tropical Countries”; while Prof. Laping Wu of the China Agricultural University spoke about “Chinese Experiences and Practice of Poverty Alleviation through Rabbit Farming”. Ms. Caroline Herbert of Sarl Hycole, France spoke about “Hybrid Rabbit Development”.

Several rabbit scientists from universities in India, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Ghana presented papers on rabbit topics ranging from Manure Utilization, Physiology and Production Performances, Production Challenges, Rabbit Feeds, Meat Quality, and Nutrition. These studies are highly applicable to conditions in the Philippines and will be useful to the conference participants from tropical countries.

The ARaMP members were very proud when ARaMP Inc. President Art Veneracion was called to speak before the plenary about the “Rabbit Industry in the Philippines”.  He discussed the present state of the Philippine Rabbit Industry, the challenges and hurdles that had to be overcome, the initiatives and events ARaMP had spearheaded, successes and improved degree of acceptance.  The twenty minute talk-presentation that featured pictures of industry events was interrupted by enthusiastic applauses from the audience, ironically, started not by the Philippine delegation but by delegates from other countries.  The MARBA Secretary Kamarulazwa Muhammad who persuaded Art to make the presentation was after all correct in saying that other countries are interested to know about the state of the Rabbit Industry in the Philippines.

Rabbit meat products produced by a MARBA member was exhibited and are for sale.  It is a pity that no rabbit dishes were cooked and served at the conference.  We were told that rabbit satay was a favorite in Malaysia but it was not made available to be tasted by the conference participants.

A farm tour to Goodtree Garden Rabbit Farm in Sepang, Malaysia was part of the Conference experience for the foreign delegates.  ARaMP members were quick to join and seized the opportunity to see and observe the rabbitry set-up and practices in Malaysia.

ARaMP members are now confident that they are on the right track. It can be said that the Rabbit Industry in the Philippines is at par with its neighboring countries. At first glance, it may seem that the rabbit industry in Malaysia is more advanced than the Philippines. This is because the Malaysian government has included the rabbit as major livestock and has programs to support the industry. In the Philippines on the other hand, the rabbit industry receives minimal support from government who ignores the industry and refuses to include the rabbit in its livestock programs. The industry’s saving grace however, is the strong private sector led by ARaMP who strongly believes that the rabbit is the answer to Health and Livelihood Development and continues to pursue the development of the rabbit industry!