ICAR–CSWRI and KVK Dimapur Launch Rabbit Farmers Interest Group

Nagaland

In a significant step toward promoting sustainable livestock-based livelihoods in the North Eastern Region, the ICAR–Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute, Avikanagar, in collaboration with the Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Dimapur, launched a Rabbit Farmers Interest Group (FIG) in Jharnapani village, Chümoukedima district, Nagaland.

The initiative aims to transform Jharnapani into the country’s first ‘Rabbit Village’, where every household engages in rabbit rearing as a viable, eco-sustainable, and income-generating enterprise.

The programme was inaugurated under the leadership of senior officials from ICAR–CSWRI and KVK Dimapur, who jointly facilitated beneficiary selection, field demonstration planning, and technical guidance for participating farmers.

25 farmers were selected to form the first Rabbit Farmers Interest Group in Jharnapani.

Key Highlights of the Initiative: 

Each beneficiary received:

• A scientifically designed portable female cage (with kit compartments)
• A male cage
• 50 kg feed
• One male and one female breeding rabbit

A one-day training programme on Integrated Organic Rabbit Farming was conducted to build farmer capacity and promote scientific rearing practices.
Additional cages and feed were supplied to KVK Dimapur for on-farm trials and frontline demonstrations in organic rabbit farming.

Vision and Commitment

The initiative envisions developing Jharnapani as a model ‘Rabbit Village’ under the North Eastern Hill (NEH) initiative. Sustained technical and institutional support will be extended by ICAR–CSWRI and KVK Dimapur to ensure the long-term success of the programme.

Experts highlighted the nutritional and health benefits of rabbit meat rich in protein, low in fat and cholesterol making it a healthy and culturally suitable food option for the region. The programme also seeks to enhance rural incomes through value addition and market linkages in the rabbit farming sector.
Local coordination, led by KVK Dimapur, ensured seamless execution from beneficiary selection to distribution and post-training follow-up. The KVK team reiterated its commitment to providing continuous farmer support, addressing management challenges, and facilitating scientific adoption of organic rabbit farming practices.

Looking Ahead

Participating farmers expressed strong enthusiasm, recognizing rabbit farming as a promising entrepreneurial opportunity beyond a supplementary income activity. Encouraged by the positive response, ICAR–CSWRI announced plans to expand organic rabbit farming initiatives to other Northeastern states, including Arunachal Pradesh, under the NEH programme.

This pioneering effort marks an important stride toward sustainable livestock development, food security, and rural entrepreneurship in Nagaland and across the Northeastern region.

(Source: ICAR–Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute, Avikanagar)