Bengbu Guzhen "Rabbit Commander," annual sales of millions to enrich local neighbors

In Kangkang Village, Shihu Township, Guzhen County, Bengbu City, 43-year-old Wan Leilei is known among locals as the “Rabbit Commander.” This new farmer spent five years transforming a small-scale trial operation into an automated breeding base with 1,500 breeding rabbits. Not only did he achieve an annual sales revenue of over one million yuan with substantial profits, but he also helped nearby farmers join the rabbit-raising industry to get rich together, painting a bright picture of rural entrepreneurship through hard work.

In 2018, Wan Leilei began exploring breeding projects. Among many options, he chose rabbit farming for its low investment cost, quick results, and high reproductive rate, solidifying this as his business direction. “A commercial rabbit takes about 60 days from birth to market, with some even ready in 47 days, so the return on investment is very fast,” Wan Leilei recalled. In the first year, he trialed raising 350 Angora rabbits but found that they mainly produced fur, had a slow growth cycle, and limited profitability. As breeding technology improved, he decisively introduced the more meat-yielding and faster-growing Ira meat rabbits, laying a solid foundation for large-scale development of the breeding base.

Today, Wan Leilei’s farm operates automatically. An automated water control system ensures rabbits always have access to clean drinking water. He can easily feed 1,500 breeding rabbits twice a day, in the morning and evening, with the rest of his time dedicated to observing rabbit growth and maintaining cleanliness. Automation has significantly reduced labor costs and improved efficiency, with the base annually selling tens of thousands of market-ready rabbits, steadily increasing sales.

Wan Leilei believes that every part of the rabbit is valuable and that there are many ways to increase benefits. His farm produces 150–200 tons of rabbit manure each year, which, after fermentation, becomes organic fertilizer. This alone generates about 50,000 yuan annually, further increasing the added value of his operation. On the sales side, the rabbits have a stable market, mainly sold to slaughterhouses in Linyi, Shandong, with professional buyers regularly purchasing. During his free time, Wan Leilei also buys rabbits from nearby farmers, actively helping neighbors solve sales difficulties. “When the market was good a couple of years ago, my annual gross profit reached over 2 million yuan. Even this year, with average market conditions, I can’t slack off on breeding technology and service to my neighbors,” Wan Leilei said.

He has become a leader in wealth creation for his neighbors. Today, Wan Leilei is regarded as a “technical guide” for local farmers around Guzhen. He provides free on-site technical services, regularly offers guidance, and shares his breeding experience generously. Ding Xiuhuo, secretary of the Party branch in Kangkang Village, Shihu Township, sees Wan Leilei as an outstanding leader who helps villagers prosper together: “He not only built his own rabbit industry but also promotes development among nearby farmers, truly moving from individual wealth to collective prosperity.”

Starting from trial raising of 350 Angora rabbits, to an automated breeding base with 1,500 Ira meat rabbits, and providing technical and sales support to surrounding farmers, Wan Leilei has carved out a unique path of entrepreneurship through persistence and hard work over five years. Under his influence, more villagers have joined the rabbit industry, increasing income and becoming prosperous, turning these small rabbits into “wealth rabbits” on the road to rural revitalization.

Bengbu City News Media Center Reporter: Yin Ling, Chen Donghui Text/Photos Edited by: Yuan Yuzhu

【Source: Bengbu Daily】