Analysis of Peasant Farmers in Rabbit Production in Sokoto State, Nigeria

The study evaluated the analysis of peasant farmers in rabbit production in Sokoto south local government area in Sokoto state, Nigeria. The procedure involved multi stage sampling techniques of the sample size and the use of questionnaire was employed. The entire respondents were rabbit farmers. This study examined current trend on small and ultra-smallholder rabbits units in Sokoto south of Sokoto state Nigeria. The methodology combined questionnaire survey with onfarm monitoring and recording of data in relations to socio-economic characteristics of rabbits keepers, management, constraints and marketing outlets .the result obtained was presented in frequency and percentage table. The study shows that 70% were male while 30% were female. The study also review that 44%, 36%, 12% and 8%represent the ages of rabbits farmers of 25-35years, 36-45years, 46-45years and 56years and above respectively within the study area, it was also review that 64%, 20%, and 16% represent the marital status which includes that of single married and widow. the distributions of years of farmers experience in rabbits production is also represented by 20%, 40%, 10%, and 30% of 1- 6years, 7-12years and 19 years and above of experience respectively. It also reveals that the source of breeding stocks by the farmers, i.e. from own stock, other farmers, market and research institutions which was represented by 40%, 20%, 36% and 4% respectively. And with respect to housing many farmer place their cage outside the house (70%) and also the major disease experience by the farmer is manage (52%) which serves as one of constrains facing the rabbit farmer meanwhile mating of does follows seasonal pattern due to seasonal heat stress. About (52%) farmer noted that does perceptivity and conception rates were markedly low during the dry season. From this study it highly recommended that the farmer should put down the use of personal experience in putting the animal and the extension agent should reach out to the rabbit farmers for proper and adequate information and the farmer should make used of stocks from the research institute for stocks replacement/breeding.