Assessment of Grasscutter Domestication for Income Generation in Anambra State, Nigeria

Abstract

Grasscutter, (Thryonomys swinderianus) locally known as ‘Nchi’ can generate additional income for farmers and families but its domestication in some Nigeria is still preliminary. This study was carried out in four private Grasscutter farms within four communities; Awgbu, Nanka, Oko, and Omogho in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria, to determine the level of profitability of each farm. Sixty structured questionnaires were administered to the members of the household, fifteen in each farm but only fifty-one (85%) were retrieved and used while nine (15%) were not used. Results shows that 29% of the farmers were men while 22% were female. The largest participants (27.5%) fall within the age bracket 31-40 years, the age of responsibility. The farm in Awgbu community has the highest number of animals (24) while the farms at Nanka, Oko and Omogho, have 11, 15 and 22 respectively. The total income each farm generated during the years (2012, 2013 and 2014) were ₦330,000, ₦200,000, ₦125,000, and ₦89,000 respectively. The feed given to these animals include cassava (Manihot esculenta), maize (Zea mays), pawpaw (Carica papaya), elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum) and groundnut (Arachis hypogaea). The farmers indicated that their main challenges include bad roads, shortage of funds, insufficient space and lack of governmental incentives. These setbacks can be solved by the provision of developmental grants, supply of pipe-borne water, land, feeds and good roads. These can motivate farmers to increase their production to a commercial level, which will yield them more income instead of subsistence domestication.