Typology of Grasscutter (Thryonomys swinderianus) Farming in Southern Benin Two Decades after Its Domestication

Abstract

Aims: The aim of the study was to provide information on the current characteristics of grasscutter farms in Benin to identify areas for improvement. Study Design:  A survey was conducted among 100 grasscutter farmers in southern Benin, identifying three groups of farmers. Place and Duration of Study: Data were collected between August and October 2023 in the departments of Mono, Couffo, Atlantique, Ouémé, Plateau and Zou in southern Benin. Methodology: Data collection were carried out through a retrospective survey using the snowball sampling method. During the survey phase, farmers were selected based on the accessibility of their farms and their willingness to participate in the questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SAS software, and a multiple component analysis (MCA) was performed to identify the different groups of grasscutter farmers. Results: Three groups of farmers were identified. Women were absent in Group 1, less present in Group 2 (8.20%), and more represented in Group 3 (23.53%). The most common occupations among respondents across all three groups were in agriculture and livestock farming. However, farmers were less frequent in Group 3 (82.34%) compared to the other groups (100%) (p<0.05). Ground-enclosure farming was only reported in Group 1 (76.47%). In the other groups, farming is done on tiers in compartmentalized enclosures. The smallest herd size was observed in Group 3 (p<0.05). All respondents in groups 1 and 2 fed their animals with a mixture of forage and commercial feed, while 64.71% did so in Group 3 (p<0.05). Panicum maximum, Pennisetum purpureum, and Moringa oleifera are the most commonly used forages in grasscutter feeding. Grasscutters are sold live by all farmers in Groups 1 and 2 and by 88.24% in Group 3 (p<0.05). The age at the sale is similar in Groups 1 (4.70 months) and 2 (4.15 months) and higher in Group 3 (7.28 months) (p<0.001). The most frequent constraints in all three groups were difficulties in accessing forage and lack of financial resources. Conclusion: Harmonizing grasscutter farming practices could be a lever to promote grasscutter farming in Benin.