Grasscutter

Cane rats live in small groups led by a single male. They are nocturnal and make nests from grasses or burrow underground. Individuals of the species may live in excess of four years

As humans expanded into the cane rat’s native habitats, the cane rats likewise expanded from their native reeds into the plantations, particularly the sugar cane plantations from which they derive their name. Their tendency to adopt plantations as habitat, where they feed on agricultural crops such as maize, wheat, sugar-cane and cassava, often earns them the label of agricultural pest.  

Economic Importance

Grasscutter meat is delicious and is regarded as a delicacy in Nigeria and West Africa. The peoples of the region also utilize the cane rat as a potential food source (bush meat). The Nutritive value of grasscutter is relatively high. The crude protein of the meat is about 22.7% compared to 20.7% for rabbit meat, 19.25% for chicken and 18.25 for beef.

In all the countries in the West Africa sub-region, grasscutter meat is in high demand because of its unique taste. The meat is so given high attention in the market that it is more expensive than poultry, pork, beef and goat meat. So if you can get involved in grasscutter farming in Nigeria and rear grasscutter in commercial quantity, you are in big money! Relaxation spots, hotels, eateries, palm wine joints and meat traders in the open market will be your regular customers. This is because they will need a steady supply to treat their own customers. So take advantage of the large market for this product, the few people that are into grasscutter farming cannot meet the growing demand for the meat.

Preliminary survey by the Animal Research Institute found that some rural folks, using grass and household waste from cassava, were able to raise grasscutter stocks which they sold at a price of $23 (N3647.90) per animal of about 4 kg-weight. They also sold 3-month old animals for breeding at $9 (N1427.44) per animal, irrespective of sex[1] . Compared to other traditional livestock production, grasscutter production offers a relatively lower variable cost of production. For instance, feeding constitutes 82% of total variable cost of production in poultry enterprises[2], but this is considerably low in grasscutter production.

HOUSING

In the Savanna area of West Africa, people have traditionally captured wild grasscutters and raised them at home. As an extension of this, organized grasscutter husbandry has been initiated in West Africa. The animals are provided with marshy, tightly fenced areas with plenty of plant cover. The young are harvested from these areas and raised separately[3].

Different types of material are used in the construction of the rearing shed, including bricks or breezeblocks, bamboo, straw and matting. The key is to use local materials in order to keep down construction costs. The building should be ventilated and offer enough light to facilitate rearing activities. The long sides of the structure are made of a low wall 1.5 m high, with the upper half covered with chicken wire. The roof can be made out of corrugated iron, straw or any other kind of waterproof material. Concrete floors and wall could also be used in the construction of the house.

                                        A prototype of the concrete house

Grasscutters are kept in pens inside the rearing shed. The number of pens depends on the production objectives. It is recommended to have one breeding female per pen. The recommended surface area per adult animal in the pen is 0.2 m²

Alternatively, for small scale production, housing of  grasscutter cage could be done by done by putting under staircase or in the background (For more on livestock click this link https://www.agriculturenigeria.com/research/articles/diary-of-a-happy-farmer-livestock-farming )

FEEDING

Grasscutters are vegetarian. They consume nuts, barks, and the soft parts of grasses and shrubs. They particularly do well with elephant grass and sweet potatoes. They commonly “raid” cassava and yam plantations, and are considered local pests. They also feed on fruits such as: pineapple, mango, pawpaw etc. They also enjoy food crops such as rice, legume, maize etc[5].

The animals should have continual access to food. Fodder should be given two hours before giving concentrates, once or twice a day, preferably in the morning and evening.

Water should always be available. Grassy fodder should be dried in the sun at least 24 hours before being given. Do not give damp fodder. Concentrate can be given by themselves or in combination with fodder. It can be made up from just one ingredient or several. If using single ingredient concentrates, make sure to alternate when you give them. In contrast, if the concentrate is a mix of two or three ingredients, then the same contrite can be given every time. Any changes in concentrates should be made over four to five days in order to allow the digestive system to adapt[6].

Profitability of Grasscutter

After reading this article, you need between 6 – 12 months to make at least one million naira in this business.

Grasscutter farming is highly profitable, more profitable than you imagined. The meat is widely consumed allover the West Africa region and beyond, making it one of the top 10 animals whose meat is in highest demand in the market. A market ready Grasscutter is sold between N4,000 to N5,500. Five hundred Grasscuters in a year could earn you between N2 Million to N2.75 Million.

The animal reproduces very quickly and in good numbers. A fully grown female Grasscutter after gestation, carries the pregnancy for 140 – 150 days and deliver about twice a year. Each pregnancy produces average of four to seven young ones. Sometimes up to ten, that means one female Grasscutter could produce 8 – 20 other Grasscutters in a year

It grows big and very fast too. Grasscutter is one of the biggest rodent in Africa. A fully mature female or male that is ready for market weighs between 3.5kg for the female and 4.5kg for the male. While measuring 45cm to 60cm in body length. The standing height is between 25 to 30cm. The body size of a fully grown male is about the size of a nine inches block.

CAPITAL

You could start grasscutter farming on a small scale  with only N50,000 

HOW CAN WE HELP YOU? senceagric@senceworld.com

References

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