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CHAPTER ONE
1.1 Background information
According to (Elliot, 2008) agribusiness can be defined as the combine of agriculture and
business management knowledge in order to run a farm as a firm with the objectives of
making profits.
It includes all sectors that constitute the supply chain from farm to final users. This process is
enhanced through production, processing, distribution and marketing. The farm is highly
concerned with food products for traceability issues. To survive in the competition we have
to put great emphasis on the application of science and technology in order to boast yield in
agriculture production sectors such as agribusiness enterprise (MonsontoandAgricura, 2009).
Most of the developing nations such as Zimbabwe, Kenya, and Nigeria are dominated by
agribusiness in term of the contribution to Gross Domesticated Product and value addition in
manufacturing. Agribusiness includes two main groups which are livestock rearing and the
growing of crops. Livestock rearing includes small stocks such as poultry rabbit, pigs and
goats’ production and large stocks such as cattle (Cheekie, 2009).
Smallholder farmers who normally rear rabbits are usually faced by various constraints
factors (Commercial Farmers Union, 2013). Small holder farmers had basically found it so
difficulty to undertake in commercial agriculture which produces high value products. There
are several reasons for this, such as market freedom policies promoted by the World Bank in
1980s that stimulate government to grant agriculture input and transfer market for framers to
private sector, other factors include lack of collateral security for farmers to access loans
from banks and financial institutes’, no guarantee markets for outputs from farms, lack of
both local and foreign investment, lack of government support in terms of infrastructure and
poor relationship with agro food value chains which offer them opportunity for growth and
expansion.
Several economists have knotted that agribusiness is changing structure to horizontal one
where cooperation, supply chain agreements and a specialisation are aided, hence forward
agribusiness farmers and managers should spend less time on farm doing farm activities
rather than to spend more time in developing business service strategies that aims at
enhancing their competitiveness. The focus is not general on economic and technological
interests but also on the value addition. Therefore agriculture will play a very big role in any
developing country since it is the backbone of all developing nations.
To be much more specific there is a need for farmers to adopt on small livestock enterprise
such as rabbit rearing which does not consume much land. Among the livestock industry this
study focused on mainly commercial rabbit production because of its favourable attributes
such as high rate of reproduction, adaptability to inexpensive housing and very useful in
many by products(Hungu, 2013). Population is increasing on a daily basis posing a

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constraint to the agriculture farm lands. This introduction of rabbit production will help to
eradicate malnutrition and poverty since it is practised on a small piece of land.
Small scale rabbit production is still new in Marondera area and is mainly in smallholder
system that has merits over livestock systems because of the small rabbits body size, high rate
of reproduction, adaptability to inexpensive housing and useful by products. Since inadequate
food production is a critical problem throughout some parts of Marondera such as Igava,
Masomera, Garikai and others, rabbit rearing could make major contribution to human
survival in those areas with inadequate food production and food supply. Rabbit rearing is
practiced on small scale farming essentially due to small land space, which if well adopted
can be practiced widely.
Some of the challenges identified by previous studies which have been conducted in the past
include limited access to technical information by farmers (Chard, 2006). This result in
prevailing farmers undertaking some of things unknowingly such as inbreeding. There have
been previous studies which try to analyse the factors which affect the development of the
rabbit enterprises. Some of findings which were knotted showed major factors which need to
be addressed. These factors include promotional campaigns, extension services, breeding and
genetic improvement, research and modernization of production and export market targeting.
Some have been implemented but still farmers are reluctant to adopt rabbit keeping as a
commercial enterprise. The rabbit industry is somehow not well established bearing in mind
it has some opportunities which will favour its development. Some of the opportunities
include change of eating culture to white meat (Chinarumbidza, 2005).
Hence forward this study is been targeting rabbit farmers, potential and non-rabbit farmers
and some few researchers in this field. Descriptive analyses were used in explaining the
socio-economic characteristics affecting the industry. Also regression analysis was done on
factors affecting its adoption. The results will be useful to government policy makers, farmers
and other researchers.
1.2Problem statement
The debate for my argument is that in Zimbabwe many researchers have not state the exact
problem facing the slow adoption of commercial rabbit keeping. Their main focus was to
analyse the reasons why farmers are reluctant to practice commercial rabbit keeping yet it is a
very profitable enterprise. Therefore, in a rundown my research problem will be to analyse
the factors behind the unwillingness of certain potential individuals’ producers, small
scale, and large scale farmers to embark in commercial rabbit keeping growing.
1.3 Research objectives
i. To distinguish potential rabbit producers based on their socio-economic characters.
ii. To determine if they is a linear relationship between the farmers characteristics and
their ability to adopt to commercial rabbit keeping.

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iii. To determine the positive contribution of commercial rabbit production to the
livelihoods of the people of Marondera district.
1.4 Research questions
i. Does the characteristics of rabbit producers influence commercial rabbit keeping?
ii. Are they any differences among rabbit producers?
iii. What is the impact of adopting rabbit production to the livelihoods of the people?
1.5 Justification of the study
The call for the research is based on developing and socio-economic issues bearing in mind
Zimbabwe is still in its developing stages and it relies on commercial agricultural activity
which is mainly rainfed farming for it to achieve its development goals such as poverty
eradication, food insecurity and malnutrition as stipulated well in its vision 2025 and also in
ZimAsset documentary. To achieve this each part of Marondera being the area under study
has to play a role. In Marondera district land sizes are becoming smaller daily since more
people prefer to settle in the area due to its nearness to the capital cities such as Harare and
Mutare. Therefore rabbit being a good source of protein which can be achieved cheaply by
even low income earners will be the most profitable business enterprise among the livestock
industry due to its growth characteristics and also requires small land sizes. The results will
be useful to rabbit farmers, potential farmers, other researchers and government policy
makers in the livestock ministry of agriculture as a whole. Therefore, commercialisation of
rabbit keeping will play a vital role of agriculture in achievement of Zimbabwe vision 2025
and ZimAsset development goals which are empower, develop, indigenise and self-employ.
1.5 Study area
The project was carried out in Marondera destrict under natural region ii were we experience a rainfall
which range from 800mm to 1000mm and temperatures which range from 90 to 270
which sustain
plant growth and livestock rearing. Reason for its selection is based on issues to do with land
sizes, socio-economic appearances of the people living there. For instance land sizes in the
area are becoming smaller due to what they call real estate investments. More land is being
used to build rental houses (such as Garikai houses incorporation, Aurtherstone houses,
Garyson houses, Zbc houses, Marondera real estate’s building and NSSA flats house, etc.)
thus minimizing the land available for agriculture. Therefore food productivity is affected
somehow which calls for small stock like rabbit keeping to be given a thorough seriousness
since it can do well in small land sizes. To touch on socio-economic characteristics

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Marondera is the main supply of food to the capital cities such as Harare and Mutare and also
the whole of Mashonaland East Province.
1.7 Organization of the project report
The repose of the project is arranged as follows; chapter one all about the introduction,
chapter two which is all about the literature review, then trailed by chapter three which is all
about methodology issues namely; data collection and sampling procedure, model used and
variables included in the model and chapter four the reference list.

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CHAPTER TWO
2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW
This segment highlights the previous studies and empirical evidence which have been done in
relation to the study l am currently undertaking. It includes their methods, findings and
conclusions. They did analysis of hindrances to the adoption of improved rabbit technologies
by small scale farmers in Nigeria. Methods used were organised interviews of sixty
respondents, which were analysed by percentages, multiple regression and factor analysis.
Findings showed that production of rabbit is dominated by young children of school age
(50%) and males (63%). Also they found that age was a significant factor in influencing the
improved rabbit technologies. Major obstacles identified were management, economic,
constraints, nutritional and housing constraints. They concluded that extension agents should
design programs that aimed to encourage students in secondary school towards to this
adoption (Sithole, 2012).
Another study was done by Abu et al who focused on status and promotional strategies for
rabbit production in Nigeria in year 2008. Methods used were field survey, questionnaires,
personal interviews and observations plus experiences of the author. Findings showed that
rabbit production mainly non-commercial oriented, smallholder type kept mainly by women
and mainly were for specialized research based institutions and inbreeding was highly
evident. They also found that space was a limiting factor. Conclusion showed that there is
need for promotional strategies and policy suggestions (Commercial Agriculture Journal,
2011).
Another study was done by Hungu et al on production characteristics and constraints of
rabbit farming in central, Nairobi and rift-valley provinces in Kenya 2013. Methods used
were questionnaire and examination sheets in recording data. Findings showed that rabbit
rearing is done on small-scale due to small land space but there was sustained interest in
rabbit farming as shown by a large proportion of farmers. Also they noticed that farmers had
limited access to technical information in rabbit farming as seen in the poor design and
construction of the rabbit hutches. Conclusions revealed that there are opportunities and
challenges to increase rabbit production in the country though access to technology and
marketing strategies were major hindrances to this development thus need for promotional
and extension services.
Fourth previous study was on factors affecting the growth of agribusiness enterprises in
Kenya a case of rabbit keeping in Kiambu County. This was done by Geoffrey in 2004.
Methods used were purposive sampling technique in conducting the study, selection of study
used sample probabilistic sampling technique where a sample of 30 out of 120 rabbit farmers
was selected. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics and tools used to process data
were SPSS V20 and Ms Excel spread sheet. Findings showed market availability remained a
challenge, little research has been done, and there were inadequate financial resources and
minimal extension services. Conclusion indicated that government should spearhead
promotion campaign to create market, encourage research and extension services
(Mandizvidza, 2005)

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2.1 AN OVERVIEW OF MY UNDERSTANDING
Since the main purpose of this study is to analyze the factors influencing commercialisation
of rabbit rearing in Marondera district and the objectives of this study is to distinguish
different types of rabbit producers, to determine if they is an auto core relationship between
the stated farmers characteristics and adoption of commercial rabbit keeping and lastly to
determine the positive contribution of commercial rabbit production to the livelihoods of the
people of Marondera district. Selection of respondents was through sampling and Central
Limit Theorem which we specifically selected 40 farmers out of 140 farmers like the case of
Geoffrey 2004. Zimbabwe policies that deal with improvement of technology and extension
services should be directed towards rabbit rearing for it to be commercialised. These
technologies include pelt processing, technology that converts manure and urine into fertilizer
and introduction of usage of artificial insemination. For instance artificial insemination will
increase efficiency and reduce cost of production. Therefore in summary, findings from
previous studies as seen in the above paragraphs showed that main obstacles to adoption are
market inaccessibility, type of technological advancement used and personal characteristics.
Hence forward l will use these as the roots of the research variables which are yet to be
tested.

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CHAPTER THREE
3.0METHODOLOGY
3.1 Data collection and sampling procedure
Data used in this study was mainly primary and secondary which was collected through use
of questionnaires and face to face interviews with the rabbit producers and secondary data
which were gathered from institutes like ZimStats, NatStats, and International trade statistical
data capture. Type of data collected were both qualitative (market access, gender, education
level) and quantitative (age and stock). Farmers were selected using the central limit theorem
which incorporates a sample of 40 rabbit farmers out of 140 farmers with a 90% confidence
level. They were interviewed and opinions recorded as answers to the questionnaires.
3.2 Empirical model used
The study involved identification of factors that affect the slow adoption of commercial
rabbit keeping using linear regression model to test the relationship of the variables and
adoption process. Dependent variable here was adoption while independent variables
included socio-economic characteristics of the farmers. Therefore, the independent variables
and dependent variable were formulated and linear regression was run using the SPSS
software. To specify on variables used, dependent variables included socioeconomic
characteristics, market accessibility, credit accessibility and technology level used. Socio-
economic characteristics include factors such as age, gender, education level, and stock size
kept. The mathematical equation for this model is given as;
𝑌 = 𝛽0 + 𝛽1𝑥1+ 𝛽2𝑥2+ 𝛽3𝑥3+ 𝛽4𝑥4
Where;
i. Y is the adoption of commercial rabbit rearing
ii. β0 is the coefficient of adoption when no variable is in effect
iii. β1X1 is socio-economic characteristics and its beta coefficient
iv. β2X2 is technology and its beta coefficient
v. β3X3 is market accessibility and its coefficient
vi. β4X4 is credit accessibility and its coefficient

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3.3 Descriptive Analysis
An analysis was carried out using face to face interviews and semi-structured questionnaire to
reveal information about the socio-economic characteristic of the people in Marondera
district. The research showed that a large proportion of peasant farmers and different
individual were victims of malnutrition and poverty. This produces a clear window that the
adoption of rabbit production will help to sustain life in this targeted region and can even end
up growing to a national adaptation hence sustaining almost the livelihood of Zimbabweans
and can latter contribute to the country’s Gross Domesticated Product.
3.4 Description of the variables included in the model and the expected outcome
 Subsistence type of rabbit keeping is mainly associated with women and small boys
therefore gender was expected to affect the commercial adoption in either way
depending on the gender of respondent. Thus if the majority of the respondent were of
male gender then the adoption would be affected positively.
 Education level was expected to have a positive effect on the adoption process since
the more one is educated the higher the chances he or she will practice commercial
type of agriculture.
 Scale of operation was expected to have either positive or negative effect depending
on majority of respondents interviewed. For instance if majority were practicing small
scale type of rabbit keeping expectation is that there will no willingness to adopt it
commercially. Also stock size kept by the respondent would have the same effect as
that of scale of operation since they are both related.
 Credit accessibility was expected to have either positive or negative effect on
adoption process. Reason being a farmer can be accessible to credit facilities but he or
she chooses to invest in other form of commercial agriculture, thus affecting the
adoption process negatively.
 Technology such as value addition and pelt processing was expected to affect the
adoption positively since more and more farmers will be attracted to adopt
commercial due to increased returns in the industry.
 Market accessibility was expected to affect the adoption process positively in a
manner such that if a farmer is accessible to market he or she will be willing to
commercialise it.
 Adoption to commercial rabbit production was expected to have positive impact to the
livelihoods of the people since it was to improve the living standards of the people of
Marondera.

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CHAPTER FOUR
REFERENCE
CHARD PG (2006) BARRINS OF AGRICULTURE, ZSC COLLEGE PRESS, HARARE.
Cheeke, P.R, (2009) Potentials of rabbit production in tropical and subtropical agricultural
systems. Journal of animal science.
CHINARUMBIDZA, SITHOLE FM (2005) Focus study aids A LEVEL AGRICULTURE.
COMMERCIAL AGRICULTURE JOURNAL (2011).
COMMERCIAL FARMERS UNION (2015) CFU MARGAZINE COLLEGE PRESS
HARARE.
Commercial Farmers Union, (2013) Rabbit production research in Zimbabwe, Status and
promotional strategies for rabbit production in. Journal of management and economy.
D SITHOLE (2012) focus on agriculture COLLEGE PRESS AGRICULTURE HARARE.
ELLIOT FC (2008) AGRICULTURE FOR SOUTHERN AFRICA, MEDIA PRINTERS SOUTH
AFRICA.
Hungu C.W, Gathumbi P.K., Maingi N and Ng’anga C.J.,(2013) Production characteristics
and constraints of rabbit farming in Central, Mash-east and Mash-west provinces in
Zimbabwe. Journal of livestock research for rural development.
MAVENGWA MANDIZVIDZA (2005) P JANARIES OF AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE
PRESS HARARE.
MONSONTE AND AGRICURA (2009) MONSOTO AGRIC JOURNAL COLLEGE
PRESS HARARE.

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Tableof Contents
CHAPTER ONE.............................................................................................................................. 1
1.1 BACKGROUND…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………....1
1.2 PROBLEMSTATEMENT……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..2
1.3 RESEAECH OBJECTIVE………………………………………………………………………………………………………….....2
1.4 RESEARCH QUESTION……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….3
1.5 JUSTIFICATION OFTHE STUDY………………………………………………………………………………………………….3
1.6 STUDY AREA……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..................3
1.7 ORGANISATION OFTHE PROJECT……………………………………………………………………………………………..4
CHAPTER TWO……………………………………………………………………………………..........................................5
2.1 LITERATURE REVIEW………………………………………………………………………………………………..................5
2.2 OVERVIEW OF UNDERSTANDING.......................................................................................... 6
CHAPTER THREE…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….7
3.0METHEDEOLOGY………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….7
3.1DATA COLLECTION ANDSAMPLINGPROCEDURE……………………………………………………………………..7
3.2EMPIRICAL MODEL USED………………………………………………………………………………………………………….7
3.3Descriptive analysis………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….8
3.4DESCRIPTION OF VARIABLES................................................................................................. 8
CHAPTER FOUR............................................................................................................................ 9
REFERENCE............................................................................................................................... 9