Vietnam has potential for raising New Zealand rabbit since the breed is suited to various geographical regions in the country, said Head of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Husbandry Department Hoang Kim Giao.

At a seminar on breeding New Zealand rabbit held in northern Ninh Binh province on Mar. 9, Giao said that raising rabbits requires little capital, so it is suitable for poor households.

Giao said it is necessary to hold a promotion campaign to inform people about rabbit meat, which has high protein and low cholesterol.

At present, about 4 million rabbits are being raised in Vietnam with an output of 2,500-2,600 tonnes of meat. However, the rabbit meat is mainly consumed in hotels and restaurants.

In 2007, Japanese Nippon Zoki company built an establishment to raise New Zealand rabbit in Son Ha commune, Nho Quan district, Ninh Binh province. The establishment has a capacity of 10,000 rabbits and a processing chain and meets veterinary and food safety standards.

New Zealand rabbit grows quickly, provides a high volume of meat, and is also used in medical research.

The department plans for the country to have 7 million rabbits with a meat output of 14,000 tonnes by 2015 and 10 million rabbits with 20,000 tonnes of meat by 2020.-VNA