Han Xiujun and her fellow villagers in Xiaogao village in Chiping county of Liaocheng, Shandong province, now enjoy a better life thanks to a collective rabbit breeding project which has helped the village emerge from poverty.

Han is a disabled housewife caring not only for her children, but also her physically disabled mother-in-law. Han's family was in dire straits, relying on her husband who works away from home most of the year for money.

With the collective rabbit breeding project, Han is able to raise rabbits while still taking care of her family at home.

"The cooperative has helped turn my family's abandoned pigsty into a rabbit house and provided us with breeding rabbits, fodder and all the necessary skills," said Han.

"I can earn nearly 1,000 yuan ($149.3) within a month when the rabbits are ready for slaughter."

Poverty-stricken households in the village now can earn more than 10,000 yuan a year.

Over the course of four years, the rabbit industry in Xiaogao village has grown bigger and bigger, forming a complete industrial chain including breeding, cultivation, slaughter, and the production of rabbit manure. The rabbit industry has increased the income of the village by about 200,000 yuan every year.

The village even built a rabbit museum in 2018, aiming to attract tourists.

A farmer takes care of rabbits at a rabbit warren in Xiaogao village of Chiping county, Liaocheng. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A technician teaches a farmer how to take care of new born rabbits. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A farmer in Xiaogao village cleans up the rabbit house. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A worker stacks the shelves with stuffed rabbits at the museum in Xiaogao village. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Visitors tour the rabbit museum in Xiaogao village. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]