24th April, 2015
By Prince Arinze Onebunne
If asked what a grasscutter is, what will be your answer? An instrument to cut grass? Something to do with gardening and planting? Well, no, it has nothing to do with either of those things. The grasscutter, Thryonomys swinderianus if you’re a scientist, is in fact a wild rodent; they are robust animals measuring up to 60 cm, weighing 4-9kg, with short stocky legs. It can be found in any area where there is dense grass especially guinea grass, elephant and reedy grasses. In Nigeria it has also penetrated the high forest where there is intensive cultivation of succulent plants such as cassava, maize, sugar cane, yam, pineapple, etc.
So what? You might say. Well, the grasscutter is a very interesting animal. It has been included by the National Research Council, USA in the list of ‘’micro-livestock’’ little known animals with a promising future and a potent tool to fight poverty. Grasscutters are easy to keep and a source of food for many people. Why? First of all, because of the quality of the meat; it is considered a delicacy by rich and poor alike. In survey on consumer preference for different types of bush meat species it came out as number one. Nigerians abroad are even supplied with the tasty grasscutter meat from home and smoked grasscutter is exported to Europe and USA as a foreign exchange earner. In Nigeria where about 70% of the estimated annual national meat requirement of about 900,000 tonnes is imported, this gives this rodent a very special value.
Secondly, because it can be easily domesticated. As such, is a preferred source of animal protein, it can provide food security, job opportunities and be a reliable source of income for many, including the poorest.
Third, apart from its excellent taste, its meat is nutritionally superior because of its higher protein and greater mineral content than any other bush meat. The meat is organic and contains no growth hormones unlike other domesticated animals.
Fourth, the grasscutter is cheap to breed as it feeds on grass substances with no need for much nutritional additives, it can be kept in cheap cages made from wood and wire netting. It can be raised in the backyards, small rooms, parking stores, kitchen and on flat roof tops by the landless or tenants. Its body wastes are small, barely odorous and can easily be disposed or used as manure for growing snails and vegetables.
Fifth, it is a very strong animal that doesn’t get sick easily (compared to the rabbit, pig and poultry) if bred and handled properly. It does not have to be kept long; usually it can be sold for breeding purpose as young as four months of age.
Sixth, raising grasscutter is a lucrative business, as four-months-old breeding stock of 1-male and 4-females are sold for between N40,000 to N60,000 depending on the specie, and matured grasscutter weighing 4kg is sold for N8,000. Female gives birth on average to seven youngsters at a time, twice a year.
Seventh, everyone can become a grasscutter farmer, entrepreneurs, children, women, retirees and elderly people. Student can be able to pay their own school fees by raising grasscutters outside school hours.
Eight, Grasscutter farming is a new initiative in livestock-business as a result earlier investors without doubt have bright prospect in exploring this venture.
You may ask? With all these advantages listed above, why is everyone not getting involved in grasscutter farming? Well, first of all, because some prospective farmers don’t know the nitty-gritty of the business and unavailability of quality breeds. Some 80% of farmers currently depend on wild stock for their breeding programs. The demand for captive-bred crossbreed grasscutter is therefore great. Secondly, because of the initial high cost of buying crossbreed stock. The value of a crossbreed grasscutter is equivalent to that of a goat, which amount to N10, 000. It is therefore very difficult for the poor to find the capital to get started. Thirdly, because although the grasscutter is easy to house, its handling and management needs special skills which require training.
JOVANA FARMS have in fact provided an answer to all the vexed issues concerning grasscutter farming over the years. The majority of our trainees started small, but due to our continued supervision they performed well, Mr. Adi began with breeding stock of ten families (i.e. 10-males and 40-females grasscutters) but with our assistance in the form of training and small loan, today he can boast of a stock in excess of 946 animals. Now, people from all over the country come to buy breeding stock from us to start their own grasscutter farms.
CONTACT us for CONSULTANCY or attend JOVANA FARMS seminars nearest to you and discover the essential steps on how to breed grasscutters easily and avoid costly mistakes that grasscutter owners are prone to! Can’t attend? ORDER for SELF-TUTORIAL VCD & BOOK. Visit us at www.jovanafarms.com, E-mail:[email protected] or Call: 080 33262 808, for more details.