Rabbit farming brings wealth to farmers in Hotan, NW China's Xinjiang

Photo shows rabbits raised in a cage in Moyu county, Hotan prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo courtesy of the media convergence center in Moyu county)

Rabbit farming is regarded as a profitable business in Jiahanbage township, Moyu county, Hotan prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Ainiwaer Ruzetuoheti, a local farmer, manages a successful rabbit farming business.

Ainiwaer Ruzetuoheti began raising rabbits last year. Due to a lack of knowledge of rabbit farming, the man lost more than 10,000 yuan ($1,380) in one month.

"Although I suffered economic losses and this failure had shaken my confidence in the business, I didn't want to give up. I learned theoretical knowledge online and went to rabbit farms to learn about rabbit farming techniques. Eventually, I mastered the skills," said the man.

"Now I raise 800 rabbits, including 500 female rabbits and 300 kittens. I sell between 3,000 and 4,000 kittens a year and earn over 100,000 yuan a year from the business," he said.

After his business took off, Ainiwaer Ruzetuoheti started to help his fellow villagers engage in rabbit raising so that they could increase their incomes.

Photo shows rabbit hutches neatly arranged in a rabbit farm in Moyu county, Hotan prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo courtesy of the media convergence center in Moyu county)

Rabbit farming has emerged as a pillar industry for Hotan prefecture to promote rural revitalization by building on the success of poverty alleviation.

At the rabbit farm of Hotan prefecture's largest rabbit breeding company, each rabbit has its own hutch. Inside the hutch, a tray and a straw are placed to provide food and water for the rabbit.

"We've developed a cooperation mechanism involving the company, cooperatives and households. This mechanism is able to help 6,000 to 7,000 farmers in four counties gain wealth. The breeding cycle of a rabbit takes 75 days, and each rabbit can generate between 5 to 8 yuan in profits," said Zhang Siwen, the general manager of the company.

"By 2025, the output of rabbits in Hotan will hit 60 million," said Wei Hua, the chief zoo technician in the agriculture and rural affairs bureau of Hotan prefecture.