It requires a large investment and it is very risky. Intensive catfish culture requires management almost 24 hours a day during most of the year, and unless you are willing to provide this type of management, you should look at another type of enterprise.
The grass cutter is a domesticated animal of Sub-Saharan Africa, also known as the cane rat. This animal is a popular meat of many Nigerians in the rural area especially in the rain forest belt. The high demand for the grass cutter meat has made it an important source of income for farmers & hunters that dwell in these regions.
????????? As a result of high demand for the meat of this animal, some unecologically -unfriendly means such as deforestation bush burning & extensive hunting are being used to decimate the population of the animal. The solution to the decrease in supply of the grass cutter is rearing (domestication). The results of efforts in some parts of the country in recent times have shown that it is possible to rear grass cutter as a profitable venture.
?ADVANTAGES OF GRASS CUTTER REARING
-???????????????????? Low starting capital
-???????????????????? Cheap & readily available source of food
-???????????????????? Ease of operation for women, old persons & youth
-???????????????????? Sources of additional income
-???????????????????? Employment generation etc
?SELECTION OF FOUNDATION STOCKS
?????????? In selecting foundation stock, the following must be considered:
?STOCKING RATE:
The appropriate member of grass cutter that forms a family or colony is five (5). The male and female is ratio 1 to 4.
?HOUSING SYSTEM:
The housing system used for grass cutter breeding should be one that provides shelter against weather conditions. This could be a concrete hutch, or wooden and metallic cage. The most important features of the house.
Chosen must include the following:
It must be always dry and not damp?
Kayode Taiwo is a season Animal farmer with detailed experience in catfish and tilapia, grasscutter, African Giant Snail and Rabbit Farming. He organise training sections on regular basis for intended farmers and also consult and mentor young farmers.