Patna, May 25: Animal husbandry and fisheries resource minister, Giriraj Singh, has a prescription for the people: eat rabbit and stay healthy.
Speaking to The Telegraph Giriraj said rabbit meat is low on fat and high on protein and at the same time is extremely nutritious, because it contains zero percentage of cholesterol.
“People eat fish, mutton and chicken, but few have tasted rabbit meat, which is extremely delicious. I have decided to start rabbit farming in the state and the reason for the same is simple. The country is facing a serious problem of food security. We do not have enough grains to feed the people and this can be a solution to the problem,” he told The Telegraph.
“Rabbits can be fed with easily available leaves, waste vegetables in the house and their growth rate is also very high — they attain 2kg in three months. Just imagine, how profitable this business can be,” Giriraj said.
He pointed out that rabbit farming could be a good enterprise for landless rural families and the government is keen on promoting it.
Giriraj said he is in touch with two companies in Tamil Nadu and Bengal, who would train the farmers of the state on how to go about rabbit farming.
“I am in constant touch with Delta Farm, a company in Chennai and Bio Diverse Farming Limited, a company in Bengal. The companies have said they are ready to provide all kind of support to our department. It will bring good revenue to the state, which would neither take much effort nor would it require a lot of space. Even a farmer with least facilities can start rabbit farming,” he said.
Asked from where he came up with the idea, Giriraj said: “I was in Calcutta few days ago and there I saw people having it khargosh musallam. By the time I ordered for a dish, it was finished. When I came back to Patna, I inquired about the popularity of rabbit meat in other states and I came to know that states like Tamil Nadu and Karnataka are doing brisk business of rabbit meat. Many farmers are also exporting it to the Middle East. Then I realised that rabbit farming can bring good revenue to the state and at the same time, it will also give an opportunity to our farmers to earn their livelihood.”
Giriraj said: “I have consulted eminent doctors regarding the consumption of rabbit meat and I was informed that it is a recommended diet for the aged and patients with hypertension and diabetes. The nutrition value is on par with fish, chicken and mutton. When compared to the other meats rabbit meat contains high protein (21 per cent) and less fat (8 per cent). Thus, this meat is suitable for people of all age groups.”
But will people accept rabbit meat in Bihar? “Not many go for rabbit meat because it is perceived to be bad. We have to break this perception. Many people consider it unhealthy because they are not aware. My department will take every possible step to help start the business soon.”