Grasscutter farming also known as cane rat as proven to be a profitable agribusiness in Nigeria due to its prolificacy and the taste of the meat which is appreciated by the populace regardless of ethnic origin or religion. The quest for alternatives to red meat has brought grasscutter farming in Nigeria to limelight. Grasscutter meat is very rich in protein and low in cholesterol.
Grasscutter is widely hunted from the wild, but it has been domesticated to be raised under intensive management. Grasscutter becomes sexually mature around 5 to 6 months.
Grasscutter farming in Nigeria can be started with as low as #80,000, which is relatively low compared to other livestock animals.
Benefits of grasscutter farming
- Grasscutter meat serve as a good source of protein
- Grasscutters are environment-friendly
- Input (labour, capital, time) are relatively low compared to other Livestock farming
- Low mortality
- Grasscutter farming is a good source of income and employment.
Having known the benefits of grasscutter farming, let us look at some of the requirements for setting up a grasscutter farm in Nigeria.
Grasscutter housing
The selected housing system for grasscutter farming must include the following:
- It must be escape proof
- It must be spacious and well ventilated
- It must not give room to predators (ants, snakes etc.)
Grasscutter pen can be made of wood, blocks or metal.
Grasscutter feeding
Grasscutters feeds mainly on succulent grasses because they are herbivores. They feed mostly on Grasses like Elephant grass, guinea grass Sugarcane (both the leaves and stem), giant star grass, gamba grass, maize stem etc. Legumes and fruits.
For optimum growth and performance, it is advisable to feed your grasscutters with balanced ration also called formulated feed.
The formulated feed is made from ingredients like soybean, maize, corn bran, wheat offal, palm kernel cake, fish meal etc.
Grasscutter can be fed twice or thrice per day. Clean water must be provided always.
Sexual maturity
Females (does) can be mated when about 6 months old and weighing about 1.5 kg. Male grasscutters (bucks) become sexually mature at the age of 6 months, but it is advisable to start using them for copulation at 8 to 9 months or when they weigh at least 2 kg. Grasscutters show no clear signs of heat.
Breeding
it is advisable to use males from different origins for mating to compare breeds and avoid inbreeding. This provides variation in the offspring and gives the opportunity to select for desired characteristics (fertility, docility, growth rate, maximum weight, etc.).
Marketing
Start by creating awareness among individuals beginning with your families, friends and colleagues, restaurants, hotels, eateries etc. However, it is advisable that you carry out more research/feasibility study on your own even before you invest a dime in grasscutter farm.
Grasscutter farming in Nigeria PDF
Get all the required skills and information about grasscutter farming in Nigeria from one of the best Pdf on grasscutter farming.
Several key points are included in this grasscutter farming in Nigeria pdf, it includes the following:
- Introduction to grasscutter farming
- Grasscutter Housing
- Grasscutter Reproduction
- Grasscutter Housing
- Grasscutter Handling
- Grasscutter Feeds and Feeding
- Disease Management
Grasscutter farming in Nigeria Video
This is a link to one of the best video on grasscutter farming in Nigeria
I want to start the grasscuter farm and your guide will be needed from time to time.