Post by Ismail AbdulAzeez on May 22, 2014 20:02:14 GMT 1
Grasscutter rearing in Accra, Ghana: a novel way to ensure food security in the inner city
The grasscutter (Thryonomys swinderianus) is one of the very few wild animal species who has not only been domesticated but used for the benefit of the mankind. West Africa is regarded as the home of Grasscutter and for the last couple of decades has been the source of employment, income and bush meat in Ghana. Grasscutter is variously known as the marsh cane-rat , ground hog and in francophone West Africa, the aulacode or incorrectly, the agouti is a rodent but not a rat proper, since it belongs to the Hystricomorpha (porcupine family). In “Ga” language they are called Kpin (pin) and also locally known as Akrante.
Although, Grasscutter soup is a matter of delicacy to the Ghanaians and Ghana had been in the fore front of its research and development, since they are not very easy to be tamed. Due to it special status as a source of bush meat, Grasscutter farming has become a thriving business from merely a hobby for many in Accra, capital city of Ghana. Rubin and his neighbor have been rearing Grasscutter over the last five years and helped many to grow this. As described, it as one of the most profitable enterprises that has had a wide public acceptance and demand. During festival seasons, Grasscutter’s price would be higher than existing market value like turkey in Europe. In captivity, a pair consisting of one male and one female can produce 12 pups in a year and present market value would be @ 60-100 Gc which is equivalent to $ 40/grasscutter. However, there is very little understanding of the nutrition of this animal, its disease pattern and housing.
Source: www.cityfarmer.info/2014/05/20/grasscutter-rearing-in-accra-ghana-a-novel-way-to-ensure-food-security-in-the-inner-city/
The grasscutter (Thryonomys swinderianus) is one of the very few wild animal species who has not only been domesticated but used for the benefit of the mankind. West Africa is regarded as the home of Grasscutter and for the last couple of decades has been the source of employment, income and bush meat in Ghana. Grasscutter is variously known as the marsh cane-rat , ground hog and in francophone West Africa, the aulacode or incorrectly, the agouti is a rodent but not a rat proper, since it belongs to the Hystricomorpha (porcupine family). In “Ga” language they are called Kpin (pin) and also locally known as Akrante.
Although, Grasscutter soup is a matter of delicacy to the Ghanaians and Ghana had been in the fore front of its research and development, since they are not very easy to be tamed. Due to it special status as a source of bush meat, Grasscutter farming has become a thriving business from merely a hobby for many in Accra, capital city of Ghana. Rubin and his neighbor have been rearing Grasscutter over the last five years and helped many to grow this. As described, it as one of the most profitable enterprises that has had a wide public acceptance and demand. During festival seasons, Grasscutter’s price would be higher than existing market value like turkey in Europe. In captivity, a pair consisting of one male and one female can produce 12 pups in a year and present market value would be @ 60-100 Gc which is equivalent to $ 40/grasscutter. However, there is very little understanding of the nutrition of this animal, its disease pattern and housing.
Source: www.cityfarmer.info/2014/05/20/grasscutter-rearing-in-accra-ghana-a-novel-way-to-ensure-food-security-in-the-inner-city/