Shizhu Angora Rabbits

Shizhu Angora Rabbits

Shizhu Angora Rabbits is a geographical indication certification trademark.

　　　Since the rural reform, especially since the establishment of the autonomous county in 1984, Shizhu has made scientific decisions based on local conditions, adjusted its rural industrial structure, and focused on developing feed-efficient livestock farming with Angora rabbits as the mainstay. Over more than 20 years, Angora rabbit farming has risen from nothing to a thriving industry in the Tujia mountain villages of Shizhu. By 2004, the stock of Angora rabbits reached 2.412 million, maintaining over 2 million for 13 consecutive years. Rabbit farming was practiced in 80% of the townships, with 14 model townships, 20 model villages, and 3 science and technology demonstration parks established. There were 3,900 large-scale households raising over 100 rabbits each, 300 science and technology demonstration households, and 68,900 rabbit-raising farming households, accounting for over 60% of the total farming households in the county. The annual wool production reached 1,200 tons, generating over 170 million yuan in cash income for farmers annually. In recent years, the average annual income from rabbit farming has exceeded 80 million yuan, contributing 1.5 million yuan to local fiscal revenue annually, peaking at 3.92 million yuan. It has made significant contributions to helping farmers escape poverty and achieve prosperity.

　　The development of the rabbit industry has also driven the growth of related sectors such as feed processing, transportation, and food services. The county has over 1,000 businesses engaged in rabbit wool marketing, creating a prosperous environment where one industry thrives and many others benefit. This has opened new avenues for rural labor transfer and reemployment of urban laid-off workers. Angora rabbits have become a unique economic feature, standing out in the county’s agricultural economy. Shizhu is the “No. 1 county” in China in terms of rabbit farming volume and enjoys the global reputation as the “Hometown of Angora Rabbits.” The Shizhu Angora rabbit industry has gone through a tortuous development journey, withstood market tests, and continued to grow stronger. Its successful experience can be summarized as follows:

　　1. Scientific Decision-Making, Strengthened Leadership, and a Favorable Environment

　　Over 20 years ago, Shizhu was struggling below the poverty line, with both the county and its people living in hardship. To revitalize the rural economy, the county party committee explored possible solutions—what was the way forward? After in-depth investigation and careful analysis, the conclusion was that relying solely on crop farming could not lead to rapid development. Based on scientific evaluation, and taking into account the county’s advantages such as vast grasslands and abundant forage resources, as well as the reality of economic constraints, the decision was made to develop Angora rabbit farming—a cost-effective and high-yield specialty economic project—as the breakthrough point for adjusting the rural industrial structure. Rabbit farming was prioritized as a key component of rural development. Party and government authorities at all levels reached a consensus, conducted extensive publicity through various channels, and created a favorable social atmosphere, laying the ideological foundation for rabbit farmers. County and township-level Angora Rabbit Production Development Leading Groups were established, with close coordination and comprehensive support from all departments. Efforts have been consistent across successive leadership terms, with clear responsibilities and joint management ensuring policy stability and continuity, which guaranteed the healthy development of the rabbit industry.

　　2. Formulating Supportive Policies, Incentivizing Development Through Benefits

　　Despite limited fiscal resources and funding shortages, a series of preferential policies were enacted to ensure development, allocating limited funds where they would have the greatest impact. First, preferential support: in the early stages, rabbit farmers raising more than 30 rabbits received a subsidy of 0.12 yuan per kilogram of feed and 1.5 yuan per rabbit. Large-scale farmers raising over 100 rabbits were given priority in approvals for building materials, timber for sheds, discounted rabbits, and forage seeds. Second, financial institutions issued special loans, providing over 10 million yuan in low-interest or poverty-alleviation subsidized loans to support development in impoverished townships and among farming households. Third, a protective pricing policy was implemented; when prices were weak, the county set protective prices and exempted special product taxes to protect the interests of rabbit farmers. Fourth, unified disease prevention: before 1993, the county finance department allocated an average of 250,000 yuan annually for vaccination against diseases like rabbit plague, and now vaccine costs are charged at cost. Fifth, incentive mechanisms and award challenges were established: the county held annual summary and commendation meetings, with the finance department allocating 50,000 to 200,000 yuan to reward outstanding units, individuals, top rabbit breeders, and science and technology households. These strong policy measures ensured the lasting success of the Angora rabbit industry.

　　3. Strengthening Service Systems, Promoting Science and Technology, Improving Rabbit Farming Efficiency

　　Angora rabbit production is a comprehensive biological engineering process. To achieve tangible results, efforts were made to promote science and technology in rabbit farming, enhancing technical services throughout the entire production process—before, during, and after. This achieved standardized breeds, standardized sheds, scientific management, compound feed formulation, and institutionalized disease prevention. First, emphasis was placed on building a quality breeding system. Over 150,000 high-quality rabbits were introduced from both domestic and international sources, enriching the genetic pool. One municipal-grade Angora rabbit breeding farm and five county-level secondary breeding farms were established, strengthening purebred breeding and promotion to improve rabbit quality. Thirty-three quality breeding households were established to expand superior genes and enhance purification and rejuvenation efforts, with about 80% of the rabbit population improved. Second, practical rabbit farming techniques were promoted. The county led and implemented the “Shizhu Angora Rabbit Production Supporting Technology Development and Application” project, promoting artificial insemination techniques, forage planting for rabbit feeding, and pellet feed development, earning the Sichuan Provincial Science and Technology Achievement Award (Second Class). Technical training programs were conducted for rabbit farmers, grassroots officials, and veterinary personnel, with systematic instruction in scientific rabbit farming techniques. Over 200,000 trainees participated, and nearly 300,000 technical booklets were distributed, improving overall guidance and rabbit care standards. Technicians were sent abroad and to universities for further study, while foreign rabbit experts, university professors, and scholars were invited to give lectures and share technology in the county, achieving the goals of technical exchange and improvement. Third, disease prevention and control were strengthened. Disease prevention is key to successful rabbit farming. A disease prevention network centered around township stations was established across the county, maintaining biannual vaccination systems in spring and autumn. Standard shed construction was promoted, along with regular disinfection, deworming, and sanitation, effectively controlling the occurrence and spread of rabbit diseases and reducing morbidity and mortality rates. Fourth, forage and feed systems were enhanced. Forage planting for rabbit feeding was emphasized, with 50,000 mu of family “mini grass gardens” established in agricultural areas. This shifted the traditional dual structure of grain and cash crops to a tripartite structure of grain, cash crops, and forage, addressing the shortage of green forage for rabbits. Development of compound and pellet feeds for rabbits was also prioritized, with vigorous expansion of industrial feed production. Eight feed mills were built in the county to meet farmers’ needs, laying a solid material foundation for the “optimal methods” of premium rabbit breeds.

　　4. Cultivating Leading Enterprises, Expanding Sales Channels, Advancing Industrialization

　　Products without markets or sales channels have no vitality. The county has treated the integration of production, supply, and sales as a key to deepening prosperity and advancing industrial development. It has consistently emphasized and strengthened circulation, liberalized operations, actively attracted investment, established leading enterprises, and promoted industrialization. First, the monopolistic business model was broken, adopting a system of shared operation by the state, collectives, and individuals to invigorate the market. Second, market development was reinforced, expanding exports. Over 4 million yuan was invested to build 13 specialized rabbit wool markets, offering high-quality services to merchants and implementing low taxes and fees. Fourth, quality control of rabbit wool was strengthened, with severe crackdowns on adulteration and fraud, establishing a positive image for rabbit wool. Fifth, leading enterprises were cultivated. With World Bank loan support, a rabbit wool textile enterprise equipped with world-class technology from the 1990s was established, significantly increasing the value and efficiency of the rabbit industry. In recent years, efforts to attract investment have intensified, and this year the successful introduction of the Shandong Ruyi Group rabbit wool processing enterprise—with strong capabilities, advanced technology, and diverse product offerings—is set to play a pivotal role in propelling industrialization to new heights and achieving another level of success.