@toffy What if NPC rabbits could man stations to make things work, so they are like resources to run things like tilling fields, moving the conveyer belts, operating stationary lifts, etc. So in a sense, they act as the "electricity" for the factory.

Long-term progression is farming different kinds produce, and based on what you allocate to your workforce to feed the bunnies changes their efficiency - but also cuts off your bottom line. It allows you to farm more faster, but at the cost of a huge cut of the food per day. Start with lettuce, then onions, then tomatoes, etc up to carrots. End goal is obviously carrots.

The way you get your rabbits and equipment in the first place is by completing farming contracts (X lettuce + Y tomatoes = A bunny joins you farm, or lesser contracts X onions + Y tomatoes = A bushel to allow a bunny to hold more while picking).

If you want to keep things simple, you could go the Animal Crossing route and say the main bunny (the player) has an outlandish debt to pay - one million carrots! He realizes doing it on his own is impossible.