THE Zimbabwe Commercial Rabbit Breeders Association (Zicorba) has been honoured for its exceptional role in developing the nation’s rabbit sector, receiving the Excellence in Rabbit Breeding Award at the prestigious Cabinet Summit Awards 2025 in Harare.
Organisers praised Zicorba for its pivotal work in transforming rabbit farming from a small-scale, backyard activity into a vibrant and commercialised agricultural industry.
Founded in July 2020, the association has quietly driven a revolution, establishing robust value chains, championing large-scale production, and positioning rabbit farming as a credible agribusiness that generates income and employment for thousands.
Zicorba’s initiatives have been particularly impactful in empowering women and youth, who now constitute a significant portion of the rabbit value chain.
Through targeted training, market development, and strategic partnerships, the association has enabled these groups to participate meaningfully in the cash economy.
“In just five years, Zicorba has not only strengthened local production but has also elevated Zimbabwe’s profile globally. Today, the nation stands proudly among the top producers of rabbits on the African continent, thanks to the association’s visionary leadership and relentless drive,” the event organisers said.
In a related honour, Regis Nyamakanga, who serves as president of both Zicorba and the Confederation of African Rabbit Producers, was also recognised at the event for his outstanding contributions to the livestock industry in Zimbabwe and across the continent.
“His leadership has been instrumental in shaping policy, promoting best practices, and driving the growth of the rabbit sector on the continent.
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The awards are a testament to Zicorba and Nyamakanga’s unwavering commitment to transforming rabbit farming into a competitive, sustainable, and economically empowering industry,” the organisers added.
Meanwhile, Munyaradzi Rubaya, the Manicaland provincial director of economic affairs, has urged rabbit farmers to embrace value addition to enhance profitability and ensure the industry's long-term sustainability.
"To maximise profits from rabbit farming, farmers need to think beyond just raising rabbits," said Rubaya, the guest of honour at a recent Zicorba "Fundamentals of Commercial Rabbit Farming" workshop in Mutare.
“Value addition is crucial to increasing the worth of rabbit products and transforming the venture into a more profitable enterprise.”
Rubaya encouraged farmers to explore the full economic potential of rabbit production through value-added products such as processed meat, leather goods from hides, and organic fertiliser from manure.
He also called for greater collaboration among farmers to lower production costs, improve market access, and boost overall efficiency.
He noted that the Zicorba training workshop is critical for equipping farmers with the practical knowledge and technical skills needed to capitalise on opportunities across the entire rabbit value chain.
Rubaya concluded that by embracing value addition and collective enterprise, rabbit farming can evolve into a lucrative and sustainable agribusiness, contributing significantly to Zimbabwe’s economy and supporting the nation’s broader value chain development goals.
