In Burundi, President Évariste Ndayishimiye recently launched an ambitious program aimed at lifting the population out of extreme poverty through rabbit breeding. While the country is one of the poorest in the world, this initiative aims to diversify the sources of income of Burundian households by encouraging the practice of rabbit breeding.
Traditionally, cattle breeding and small livestock were favored in Burundi. However, President Ndayishimiye firmly believes that rabbit farming can be a viable solution to lift the country out of poverty. In a recent statement, he said: “The goal is to be able to butcher at least 200,000 rabbits per day. And if we manage to set up a factory that packages this rabbit meat for export, that will generate such wealth that after five years, each Burundian will have an income of one million FBu. We will all be millionaires.”
To set an example and promote this program, the Minister of the Interior, Communal Development and Public Security issued a directive asking all services within his jurisdiction to engage in rabbit breeding. Government entities, from provincial governors to district chiefs, must build hutches to house at least five rabbits next to their offices or camps.
However, this initiative is not without controversy. Some members of civil society believe that the project is unrealistic and poorly prepared. They highlight the absence of a feasibility study and the fact that Burundians are not used to consuming rabbit meat. They believe that rabbit breeding should be a small sectoral program of the Ministry of Agriculture rather than the key to lifting the country out of poverty.
Despite this criticism, many senior government officials and even ordinary citizens have embraced rabbit farming and claim to already be making profits. Some managed to obtain financing from different institutions, including the Youth Investment Bank, to start their livestock activities. They express their gratitude to President Ndayishimiye for this opportunity.
There is still a long way to go to evaluate the effectiveness of this rabbit breeding program in the fight against poverty in Burundi. However, it is undeniable that this initiative has generated enthusiasm and mobilization throughout the country. Whether this project proves to be a truly sustainable solution or not, it in any case demonstrates the desire of the Burundian government to explore new ways to improve the living conditions of its population.
In conclusion, the rabbit breeding program launched by President Ndayishimiye in Burundi is both ambitious and controversial. While some see it as an opportunity to diversify the sources of income of Burundian households, others question its viability and effectiveness. Only time will tell if this initiative will prove to be a lasting solution to lift the country out of poverty.