Current Situation
SAKALA Site 0 has 30 rabbits in cages built from recycled tires and 25 youth who need to become certified rabbit producers and processors. No formal rabbit meat certification exists in Haiti. This playbook creates one... jointly branded with the country's largest rabbit network, backed by international veterinary expertise, and built on free training materials that already exist.
Training Partners — Priority Order
Five organizations can support this program. They are listed in the exact order Dan should contact them.
| # | Organization | Contact Person | Contact Method | Role | Response Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Makouti Agro Enterprise Cap-Haïtien |
Benito Jasmin Founder, 100-cage demo farm |
Facebook: @makouti99 Also on Devex |
PRIMARY. Co-certifier. Curriculum. On-site trainers. 1,700+ producers, 327 rabbitries. | 1–3 days |
| 2 | Dr. Myriam Kaplan-Pasternak, DVM Devil's Gulch Ranch, CA |
Dr. Kaplan-Pasternak | Email: DGEdServices@gmail.com | Remote curriculum review. Vet protocols. 18 years in Haiti. USAID F2F volunteer with Makouti. | 3–7 days |
| 3 | Hares for Haiti / Juniper Missions Gressier, Haiti & Thompsontown, PA |
Abe Fisher | Website: juniperhaiti.org | 11 years Haiti experience. 159 farmers trained. Curriculum: mating, forage, butchering, cage construction, disease, records. | 3–7 days |
| 4 | USAID Farmer-to-Farmer | Program Office | Email: farmer-to-farmer@partners.net | Free volunteer expert matching. Can fund up to $5,000. Submit proposal within 30 days. | 2–4 weeks |
| 5 | FAMV (UEH) Animal Production Dept. |
Department Chair | Via UEH faculty network | Potential faculty partnership. Academic credibility. Student practicum placement. | 2–6 weeks |
Immediate Actions — This Week
Message Makouti on Facebook (@makouti99)
Bonjou Benito! Mwen se Dan, co-founder of SAKALA, a youth development organization in [location]. We have 25 youth and 30 rabbits on site in recycled-tire cages. We've studied Makouti's work... 1,700 producers, 327 rabbitries... and want to partner on a 4–6 month certification program for our youth. We'd issue a joint SAKALA × Makouti certificate. Dr. Kaplan-Pasternak, who has volunteered with you through USAID F2F, is also involved. Can we schedule a call this week? We have a detailed curriculum plan ready to share.
Why first: Makouti is the co-certifier. Everything else builds on this relationship. They are Haiti's largest rabbit network and already have the training infrastructure. Benito runs a 100-cage demonstration farm. This is not a cold pitch... Makouti's entire mission is expanding rabbit production.
Email Dr. Kaplan-Pasternak (DGEdServices@gmail.com)
Dr. Kaplan-Pasternak, I'm Dan from SAKALA, a youth cooperative in Haiti. We have 25 youth and 30 rabbits and are building a 4–6 month certification program. We know about your 18 years of work in Haiti and your USAID Farmer-to-Farmer partnership with Makouti. We're reaching out to Makouti simultaneously to co-certify our graduates. Could you advise on curriculum design, particularly: (1) humane slaughter protocols appropriate for Haiti conditions, (2) disease prevention for small-scale rabbitries, and (3) food safety standards for processed rabbit products? We can work on your schedule... even 2–3 remote sessions would be transformative.
Why second: She already has a relationship with Makouti and understands Haiti conditions. Her veterinary expertise fills the gap Makouti doesn't cover (clinical protocols, disease management). She has done this exact kind of remote curriculum support before.
Download the Peace Corps Rabbit Handbook (Free)
URL: files.peacecorps.gov/library/R0041_rabbitproductionmanual.pdf
Search for: Peace Corps Complete Handbook of Rabbit Raising R0041
This is the backbone text for Module 1. Written for developing-country conditions. Covers housing, feeding, breeding, health, records. Free. Print copies for each youth if possible.
Submit USAID Farmer-to-Farmer Proposal (farmer-to-farmer@partners.net)
Request: volunteer rabbit production specialist for 2–3 week on-site training. Beneficiaries: 25 youth. Existing infrastructure: 30 rabbits, recycled-tire cages. Training partner: Makouti Agro Enterprise (1,700+ producers). Curriculum: breeding, husbandry, humane slaughter, processing, business planning. Ask for up to $5,000 in volunteer support costs. Reference Dr. Kaplan-Pasternak's prior F2F work with Makouti as precedent.
Why this timeline: F2F proposals take 2–4 weeks to process. Submit early so the volunteer arrives during Module 2 (slaughter/butchering), which is the hardest module to teach without expert supervision. The $5,000 grant can cover the majority of the $3,500–$7,500 total budget.
Free Training Materials — Download All Now
| Resource | Format | Language | Cost | Use In |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peace Corps Complete Handbook of Rabbit Raising (R0041) | English | Free | Module 1 | |
| FAO "The Rabbit: Husbandry, Health & Production" | PDF (fao.org) | EN / FR | Free | Modules 1–2 |
| FAO "Try the Rabbit: A Practical Guide" | PDF (fao.org) | EN / FR | Free | Module 1 |
| Granja Jordán Online Course | Video (45 min) | French available | Free | Modules 1–3 (includes processing) |
| Adam Danforth "Butchering Poultry, Rabbit, Lamb, Goat, and Pork" | Book | English | ~$25 | Module 2 (award-winning reference) |
Certification Program — 4 Modules, 4–6 Months
Curriculum Sources
Makouti's existing producer curriculum + Peace Corps Handbook R0041 + FAO guides
Topics Covered
- Breed selection — which breeds thrive in Haiti climate, sourcing stock
- Housing & cage design — recycled-tire cage optimization, ventilation, cleaning protocols
- Feeding & nutrition — moringa-based feeding program, forage identification, water systems
- Breeding management — mating schedules, gestation tracking, kindling preparation, weaning
- Health & disease prevention — common diseases, symptoms, prevention, when to isolate, basic treatment
- Record keeping — breeding records, weight tracking, mortality logs, feed consumption
Practical Component
Each youth manages a minimum of 2 rabbits through at least 1 complete breeding cycle. Records are maintained in a standard logbook.
Week-by-Week
Curriculum Sources
Hares for Haiti field curriculum + Adam Danforth methods + FAO processing guide + Granja Jordán video course
Topics Covered
- Humane handling — pre-slaughter care, stress reduction, ethical framework
- Cervical dislocation — the primary method. Proper technique demonstrated and practiced
- Skinning & evisceration — step-by-step, organ identification, hide preservation
- Butchering into cuts — whole, halves, saddle, legs, offal. Yield optimization
- Cold chain basics — temperature control in Haiti conditions, ice vs. salt methods
- Hide & byproduct use — nothing wasted. Bones for stock. Hides for leather. Manure for compost
Week-by-Week
Curriculum Sources
HACCP basics (adapted for Haiti) + Dr. Kaplan-Pasternak protocols + Makouti market practices
Topics Covered
- HACCP fundamentals — critical control points adapted for small-scale Haiti operations
- Workspace sanitation — how to set up a clean processing area with available materials
- Rabbit jerky production — the SAKALA Harvest Box product. Marination, drying, packaging
- Packaging & labeling — portion control, weight standards, shelf-life management
- Storage protocols — temperature management without reliable refrigeration
- Water quality — testing, treatment, maintaining clean water for processing
Practical Component
Each youth must set up a complete sanitary workspace from scratch using available materials and pass an inspection. This is Certification Requirement #3.
Topics Covered
- Unit economics — cost per rabbit (feed, housing, labor), price per kg, margin calculation
- Market access — local markets, restaurant supply, Harvest Box channel, Makouti network
- Haiti regulatory requirements — what exists (voluntary inspection), what doesn't (no formal rabbit cert), who to contact (Ministry of Agriculture, MSPP)
- Record keeping for business — income/expense tracking, inventory, customer records
- Cooperative economics — how SAKALA's model works, revenue sharing, reinvestment
- Scaling plan — how a 10-rabbit unit grows to 50, then 100
Final Deliverable
Each youth writes a 10-rabbit business plan with 6-month sales projections, startup costs, break-even analysis, and identified market channels. This is Certification Requirement #4.
Certification Requirements — All 5 Must Pass
Each youth must complete all five requirements to receive the joint SAKALA × Makouti certificate. No shortcuts. No exceptions.
Advanced Tracks — After Certification
Certified youth can specialize. These are optional pathways that create differentiated roles within SAKALA's rabbit operation.
Master Breeder
Selective breeding for weight gain, litter size, disease resistance. Genetic record-keeping. Troubleshooting problem breeders. Goal: become the herd manager who improves stock quality across the entire operation.
Processing Specialist
Jerky production mastery. Value-added product development (pate, sausage, smoked). Branding and packaging design. Quality control for Harvest Box products. Goal: own the processing line.
Extension Educator
Train-the-trainer certification. Lead workshops for new cohorts and external farmers. Develop teaching materials in Kreyol. Partner with Makouti on outreach. Goal: scale SAKALA's training to other sites.
Track C is particularly important for SAKALA's franchise model. As new sites launch, they will need certified trainers who can replicate this program. The first cohort of 25 produces the trainers for the next 250.
Budget
| Item | Low Estimate | High Estimate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Makouti trainer fees (on-site, 2–4 visits) | $800 | $1,500 | Transport from Cap-Haïtien + per diem + honorarium |
| Dr. Kaplan-Pasternak (remote sessions) | $0 | $500 | May volunteer; budget for honorarium if needed |
| Hares for Haiti (curriculum + consultation) | $0 | $500 | May share curriculum free; budget for site visit |
| Training materials (printing, supplies) | $300 | $600 | 25 handbooks, logbooks, pens, posters |
| Processing equipment (knives, boards, containers) | $400 | $800 | Shared equipment for processing workspace |
| Food safety supplies (sanitizer, thermometers, packaging) | $200 | $400 | Initial stock for Module 3 |
| Danforth book (1–2 copies) | $25 | $50 | Reference copies for the training library |
| Certification materials (certificates, portfolio folders) | $75 | $150 | Printed certificates, youth portfolios |
| Youth meals during training days | $500 | $1,000 | ~$1–2/meal × 25 youth × training days |
| Contingency (10%) | $200 | $500 | |
| TOTAL | $2,500 | $6,000 |
Haiti Regulatory Reality
What exists
- Rabbit meat inspection in Haiti is voluntary, not mandatory
- Even under USDA rules (for export), rabbit inspection is voluntary
- Haiti has no formal rabbit meat certification program
- Makouti operates domestically and understands all local requirements
What to do
- Contact Ministry of Agriculture (MARNDR) for any domestic requirements that may apply
- Contact MSPP (Ministry of Public Health) for food safety requirements for processed meat products
- Document all contacts and responses... if there are no requirements, document that too
- The SAKALA × Makouti joint certificate creates a de facto industry standard where no de jure standard exists
Why this matters
The absence of regulation is an opportunity. SAKALA and Makouti can set the standard that others follow. When (not if) Haiti eventually formalizes rabbit production standards, SAKALA graduates will already exceed them.