Grasscutter rearing in Accra, Ghana: a novel way to ensure food security in the

inner cityThe grasscutter (Thryonomys swinderianus) is one of the very few wild animal species who has not only been domesticated but used for the benefit of the mankind. West Africa is regarded as the home of Grasscutter and for the last couple of decades has been the source of employment, income and bush meat in Ghana. Grasscutter is variously known as the marsh cane-rat , ground hog and in francophone West Africa, the aulacode or incorrectly, the agouti is a rodent but not a rat proper, since it belongs to the Hystricomorpha (porcupine family). In “Ga” language they are called Kpin (pin) and also locally known as Akrante.

Although, Grasscutter soup is a matter of delicacy to the Ghanaians and Ghana had been in the fore front of its research and development, since they are not very easy to be tamed. Due to it special status as a source of bush meat, Grasscutter farming has become a thriving business from merely a hobby for many in Accra, capital city of Ghana. Rubin and his neighbor have been rearing Grasscutter over the last five years and helped many to grow this. As described, it as one of the most profitable enterprises that has had a wide public acceptance and demand. During festival seasons, Grasscutter’s price would be higher than existing market value like turkey in Europe. In captivity, a pair consisting of one male and one female can produce 12 pups in a year and present market value would be @ 60-100 Gc which is equivalent to $ 40/grasscutter. However, there is very little understanding of the nutrition of this animal, its disease pattern and housing.

Farmers indeed spend a very little money since it feeds on grasses and little concentrates. Feeding troughs and waterers have no definite design and farmers have their own model depending upon their experience. The house is mainly built using packing box and wire net floor to facilitate releasing excreta.

Panicum maximum is the grass of choice for the Grasscutter. They are fond of chewing the

grasses and anything they will find around. The heaves of grass, will be made into pieces in hours after having been started chewing. They create a strange chopping sound when they start chewing in groups.

Grasscutters are raised by feeding grasses like guinea, elephant and Panicum maximum in Ghana. However, it was noticed that increasingly a weed called Panicum maxium cv. Kitali looks very similar to those of P.maximum is getting mixed up with this. They have had giant thick woody stems compared to those of P.maximum, dark green leaves, wide, sparse to moderately dense, short hairs giving rough feel to the leaf. Moderately dense, long, stiff bristle hairs on outside surface, increasing in density toward the junction of blade and leaf. Sheaths are painful to handle. My recent pathological investigation has revealed that hairy Panicum maximum cv. Kitali may have pre-disposed deaths to one of the farmer’s grasscutter colony. Panicum maximum cv. Kitali is difficult handle and itchy. It is highly likely that this kind of grass caused a recent episode of sore throat in a Grasscutter colony. As a result, off the 40 animals, in a colony lost 25% of the population showing swelling of the throat and death by asphyxiation. On post-mortem examination, throat swab revealed presence of Pasteurella multocida, a bi-polar rod and that causes haemorrhagic septicemia (blood poisoning), a deadly malady in ruminants and fowl cholera in poultry. Thus, Grasscutter farmers and those who keep them as pet, must be aware of the two varieties of grasses, which look alike.

Left: Panicum max kitali Right: P.maximum P.maximum Kitali (note: hair (arrow)

In addition to various parasitic diseases, Grasscutters do suffer from injury which is usually caused by retroflection (fear). Since they have poor vision apparatus, are driven by smell. They can’t tolerate strangers in the vicinity and gets excited as they smell and suffer

extensive physical injury. Since, farmers are not aware of the danger of getting hurt from the CI sheet roof, that housing must be re-designed to fix cushion on the roof by using straw mat to save them from unwanted deaths. Grasscutter muscles look very white and that raises the question of the nature of muscles of this shy animal. Although, we do not have evidence of the details of biochemistry, however they were found to have red muscles? On either side of the groins and either shoulder show aggregation red muscles. The functions of these muscles are unclear. If it happens like this, they simulate the marathon runner muscles then indeed Grasscutters are naturally deficient of slow oxidative muscles – a matter needs to be checked and farmers must be made aware to change of their behavior towards them.

The biosecurity and disposal of the dead animals, refused grasses and feed which is mixed with droppings and urine are not proper by the farmers. At present, they bury the dead however, throw the litter in the garden, which they think act as manure. Although, there is a danger of spreading several zoonotic diseases including Oesopahgostomiasis from the contaminated litter with faeces, farmers are not aware. It is possible to decompose them in concealed pit to make it safe and farmers should be aware of this problem as well.

Ironically none of the stages from catching Grasscutter from the wild or captivity and finally to slaughter them for consumption are inhumane. The nervous animal is trapped with human urine fortified with salt from the bush using poisons like carbaryl compounds and tranquilizers by the poachers before being made them captive. When they grow up to slaughter weight in captivity, they will be restrained in a net and then bulldozed to death using a wooden hammer. Frightened farmers sometimes miss hammering and Grasscutter tries to flee with wound and then they are killed by merciless beating. Obviously, there are humane options like putting the animal in a discarded refrigerator and use this as carbon di oxide gas chamber.

Net on left hand and the hamemr on the right Carbon-di-oxide gas chamer for euthanasia

Due to its location and different research establishments like Noguchi Memorial Medical Research Centre, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana may emerge as an important research hub on Grasscutter farming in West and as well as Sub-Saharan Africa. It is possible to

carry out research using existing facilities to know different diseases though laboratory investigations and their prevention and treatment by using proper drugs and vaccines. This will help addressing the problems that are encountered by the Grasscutter farmers. Scarcity of feed during lean period from January to June may be resolved by making hay and silage from different grasses. However, it’s a matter to be seen as to how they behave when they will be exposed to these kinds of feeds.

Furthermore, adequate numbers of trained Veterinarians must be in place to do the above and it is hoped, the newly established School of Veterinary Medicine may cater that need. Farmers should also be integrated through Grasscutter network so that they may be introduced to modern day Grasscutter farming. This will help them to reduce mortality, humane killing and improved bio-security. Furthermore, Grasscutter faming may be used as a tool to alleviate poverty, ensure sustainable income, food security and generation of employment in Ghana and elsewhere especially in the inner cities, since there are enough farm gate buyers. Finally, women’s participation in Grasscutter farming has not been recorded. Therefore, both Government and NGO sectors may come forward to bridge this gap.