The development prospects of rabbit sector in Tunisia based on a value chain diagnosis
Abstract
This study is to identify barriers to the development of rabbit sector in Tunisia using value chain approach , as an instrument of strategic analysis and value -cost optimization. To this end, a survey was conducted with a representative sample of industrial rabbit breeders. The results prove that the development of the rabbit value chain is conditioned in promoting the efficiency and the quality at the breeding system. Rabbit feed quality is the main constraint for the majority of breeders, followed by animal feed prices. This justifies the increase of the consumer sale prices of rabbit meat, affecting its domestic supply. Thus, the growth of the Tunisian rabbit sector is based on a reform and an upgrade of the productive systems and also on a better organization of the sector through the promotion of the vertical and horizontal integration. Promoting rabbit meat consumption is also a determining factor of rabbit sector development.
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Introduction
Rabbit breeding in Tunisia contribute to the agricultural and rural development. It has a great development potential as regards projects and job creation and food security improvement. This sector is dominated by traditional systems, but during the last decades the industrial systems are in increase. Industrial rabbit breeding is characterized by the installation of modern breeding system, using races with more successful exotic origins and in fenced hutches installation (Tunisian Office of Livestock and Pasture, 2014). This sector is confronted with several constraints, mainly technical, such as the poor quality of production factors (animal feed, livestock buildings) and the low technicality of the breeders (inappropriate food supply, problems of reproduction control, bad hygiene) (Bergaoui, 1992). This situation leads to a low productivity and profitability of the rabbit breeding. In addition, the rabbit breeding in Tunisia suffers from marketing problem and from low request. In this context, and because of the contribution of this sector to food security and rural development, a strategy for upgrading the Tunisian rabbit sector is essential (Tunisian Poultry and Rabbit Association, 2012).
This work proposes a functional and organizational diagnosis of the rabbit breeding sector in Tunisia, using an analysis of the value chain to investigate the barriers to the development of this sector and to identify its progress perspectives. The remainder of the paper is organized as follows: the next section describes the survey with Tunisian industrial rabbit breeders, data processing and organization based on a value chain approach. This is followed by a section on data analysis and the discussion. The last section presents the concluding remarks.
Conclusion
Tunisian rabbit sector presents a high potential of development. More productive and big rabbits farm are recommended. Specialized units, unique bands conducts will allow an optimization of places and working time, and in consequence allow economies of scale. In order to increase rabbit breeding productivity and to reduce its variable cost, agreements are required between breeders and manufacturers of rabbit feed to ensure the availability and the quality of this raw material and to control the continuous increase in its price. Supply contracts are also required between breeders, slaughterhouse and customers (Distributors, Tunisian Ministry of defense, etc.) through the Tunisian Poultry and Rabbit Association assistance to guarantee a rather remunerative price of rabbit’s meat. Initiatives of organization of the breeders should be established via the promotion of the vertical and horizontal integration in the rabbit’s value chain. A better valuation of the rabbit’s meat is necessary among distributors and consumers via the product certifications, the cut encouragement, the packaging and the advertising of rabbit’s meat.