For its second year, the Association of Rabbit Meat Producers Incorporated (ARaMP inc.) successfully organized the two (2) day National Rabbit Congress in collaboration with Bulacan Agricultural State College with the theme, “Rabbit Industry for Food Sufficiency and Better Nutrition,” last February 23-24, 2023 at the Farmers’ Training Center.

     Artemio C. Veneracion Jr., President of ARaMP inc., highlighted in his message the history of the organization, and the plan for the first international rabbit congress.

     Juan Jose Pascual, President of the World Rabbit Science Association (WRSA), gave his message of support for the conference and relates how rabbit farming suffered in providing high-quality protein in the human diet in this kind of economy.

     Four (4) executives of the Department of Agriculture has shown their support for the conference through video messages from; Dr. Domingo F. Panganiban, DA – Senior Undersecretary; Dr. Glenn Panganiban, DA – National Program Director for Urban Agriculture; Dr. Karen Roscom, DA-Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standard Director; and Dr. Paul Lingson, DA – Bureau of Animal Industry Director.

     Atty. Luis Meinrado C. Pangulayan, Undersecretary of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), served as the keynote speaker for the conference. Atty. Pangulayan emphasized the agrarian reform law which can make the land owners economically empowered by educating them on how to make their land profitable.

     On the first day of the conference, a total of seven (7) scientific papers from academes were presented which were: “Growth Performance and Carcass Quality in Rabbits Supplemented with Marine Algae,” by Monaliz M. Nagrampa

of Benguet State University; “Studies on Rabbit Production in Partido, Camarines Sur,” by Paladin, Lorio, and Lopez of Partido State University; and “Sensory Analysis of the Processed Rabbit Meat Products in Magsaysay, Occidental Mindoro:” and “Ginger, Garlic, and Onion Production Using Fresh Rabbit Manure in Magsaysay, Occidental Mindoro,” both by Mary Yole Apple Declaro-Ruedas of Occidental Mindoro State College. The Abra State Institute of Science and Technology researchers, Jumel B. Pati and Talugay G. Patagao, also presented their papers titled “Production and Management Practices of Rabbit Raisers in Abra Province,” and “Acceptability of Rabbit Meat and Meat By-Products in Abra Province,” respectively. Moreover, the Vice President for Research, Extension, Production and Development of BASC, Dr. Honeylet J. Nicolas presented her paper titled, “Acceptability of Rabbit Pelt Products with Different Formulations and Techniques” as final presenter of the first day.

     The presentation of scientific papers was resumed the following day with Christy M. Bueno of the University of the Philippines Los Baños and Clarizza L. De Leon of Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology presenting their studies about “Rabbit Production and Marketing Systems in Selected Regions of Luzon;” and “The Rabbit Farming Industry for Meat Production Basis for Customer-Centric Marketing Plan,” respectively.

     The presentations were followed by discussions related to rabbit from various government agencies. The topics discussed were: “Philippine National Standard, Rabbit-Code of Practice – Slaughtering,” by Aljon S. Reyes of the Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards (BAFS); “Rules and Regulations on Humane and Hygienic Slaughter, and Meat Inspection of Rabbit for Food,” by Armie Mariel M. Sabello of National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS); “Rules and Regulations on the Welfare of Rabbits used for Meat Production,” by Ma. Sheila G. Ordinario of BAI – Animal Health and Welfare Division; and “Guidelines on the Importation of Rabbits in the Philippines by Maria Glofesita O. Lagayan of BAI – National Veterinary Quarantine.

     In addition, Stakeholders were also given platform to share their projects and advocacies related to rabbit industry. The project led by Elton Salenga of Bataan Association of Rabbit Meat Producers and Processors titled “Sustainable Rabbit Production in Bataan Through Organizational and Capacity Development Mechanisms” and the advocacy of an ARAMP member, Faith Garcia about “Pushing for a General Public Acceptance of Rabbit as Meat Alternative in the Philippines,” were shared amidst the attendees. Other ARaMP members gave presentations as well, including Alvin R. Samson, who provided an overview of the growing rabbit industry in Rizal Province and Rev. Fr. Eduardo C. Vasquez, who discussed his “Project G.R.A.C.E.: Garden Ready Always for Consumption of Everyone.”

     The conference was closed by the ARaMP Vice President, Vicente Galvez, who thanked all the congress participants and guests for attending as well as the exhibitors from Fugo Agri Trading, Rabbit Improvement Company (RIC), Pilmico, and BASC 4K Project who displayed different rabbit agriproducts and processed meat.