Grasscutter (Thryonomys swinderianus) Production in West Africa: Prospects, Challenges and Role in Disease Transmission

Abstract

This review brings together and consolidates the various researches that had been undertaken in grass-cutter with the aim of providing adequate information that will be capable of improving and sustaining the production of the animal as well as its consumption in West Africa. Given the above scenario, this paper reviewed the results obtained by different researchers on feeding and nutritional requirement of the grasscutter, housing, performance, anatomy and morphology, some environmental issues, the challenges and the role of grasscutter in disease transmission. It was clear from this study that grasscutter is widely acceptable, utilizes inexpensive feed to produce good meat of high biological value, survives in simple housing apartments when confined, has good litter size and short generation interval, has simple anatomical dispositions which helps in breeding and they are capable of adapting to intensive rearing environments. However, some challenges of the grasscutter production include irregular supply of breeding stock, environmental issues, poor processing and marketing plan, lack of balanced diet, poor producer training and education, inadequate infrastructural development, poor information dissemination, incidences of diseases and mortality. With good understanding of the prospects and positive utilization of the challenges, there will be great improvement and sustainability in the production of the animal, such that more jobs will be created, more income generated and protein intake in the sub-region will be increased. This overview therefore highlights essential elements for sustainable grasscutter production and consumption in West Africa as well as suggests the direction of further research on grasscutter production.