Grasscutter Farming
Grasscutters or cane rats are a popular choice for meat in many West African countries, and they are beginning to gain popularity in other parts of the world as well. Grasscutter farming is a very profitable enterprise, and it is not as difficult as you might think to get started.
Grasscutters or cane rats are a popular choice for meat in many West African countries, and they are beginning to gain popularity in other parts of the world as well. Grasscutter farming is a very profitable enterprise, and it is not as difficult as you might think to get started.
What are Grasscutters?
Grasscutters (Thryonomys swinderianus), also called Cane Rats and Grass Cutter in English-speaking West African countries, Agouti in French-speaking West African countries and hedgehogs in Central Africa, are rodents that are widely found in wet or grasslands areas in Africa. Though these animals are widely hunted in Africa, they can be domesticated like other micro-livestock animals such as rabbits.
Some characteristics of grasscutters are:
- Grascutters are placid and relatively prolific animal
- They become sexually active and mature at 5-6 months. At this age, they can reproduce and give birth to as high as 12 young.
- They can be easily reared or managed, and this made their domestication an alternative to poaching them in the wild.
- They can grow rapidly in intensive conditions
- The meat of grasscutters is very rich in protein and economically valuable.