ARAMP, INC. HOLDS FIRST RABBIT FESTIVAL
THE ASSOCIATION of Rabbit Meat Producers (ARaMP), Inc. recently and successfully spearheaded a three-day festival at the AANI (Aqua Agri Network, Inc.) Bazaar at the Quezon City Memorial Circle (QCMC). Headed by its president Art C. Veneracion Jr., ARaMP held the 1st Rabbit Festival to consolidate its achievements in introducing rabbit production for meat. The event aims to bring together the rabbit growers of the Philippines towards attaining the vision of making rabbit meat production a viable income source for Filipinos and as a vehicle to attain food self-sufficiency. The theme “Rabbit meat, healthy to eat,” guides the group’s showcase of rabbits as a source of healthy meat that can lead to improved nutrition and a healthier populace.
Free seminars on rabbit production were conducted on the first day, and included discussions on forage production, rabbit production and management, rabbit breeding, rabbit diseases, and rabbit meat nutritional facts. The seminars were facilitated by ARaMP, Inc.’s Veneracion and members Michael Gonzales, Captain Marlon V. Tapec, and Dr. Pamela L. Tan. They willingly shared their knowledge and experiences with participants, who came from all over the country, eager to learn about the sunshine industry and join the association.
The second day saw the opening of the event proper, with Dr. Rene C. Santiago of the Bureau of Animal Industry cutting the ceremonial ribbon. On hand were friends and industry pillars, including John Enriquez, program host of the DZAS radio program “Maunlad na Magsasaka”; Engineer Pol Rubia, AANI president; and Zac Sarian, AANI chairman of the board and Agriculture Magazine editor-in-chief. Enriquez, Rubia, and Sarian gave inspirational talks, and certificates for the rabbit dispersal program of the Bureau of Animal IndustryNational Swine and Poultry Research and Development Center (BAI-NSPRDC) were given through ARaMP, Inc.
A ceremonial turnover of pure rabbit breeds was made and accepted by the organization. A sumptuous buffet lunch that included rabbit caldereta capped off the morning event, and in the afternoon, speakers from the BAI held free seminars. Dr. Santiago spoke on rabbit breeding and selection strategies while Dr. Noverlee P. Calub of the BAI-Animal Health and Welfare Division (AHWD) discussed the Animal Welfare Act. Ma. Salve D. Chaves and Analene G. Soliven of BAI-Animal Product Development Division (APDC) conducted