The grass cutter has a short tail, small ears, and a stocky body. They are more closely related to porcupines than to common rats or mice, weighing around 9 kg (about 19.8 pounds) and measuring up to 60 cm (about 2 feet).

The grass cutter is a small wild animal, cheaper to produce than most other traditional livestock and whose meat is more valuable and appreciated by the local population.

People in the region have traditionally captured wild grass cutters and raised them at home for personal consumption. Aware of the potential of a more widespread domestic creation of the animal, some countries are already encouraging farmers to raise grass cutters as backyard livestock.

The demand for glasscutter meat is large in the region, and it is not currently being met. Markets for it already exist over much of Africa, and it often sells for more than chicken, beef, pork or lamb. It is the preferred choice in many countries such as Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, Benin, Togo, Nigeria, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

The System is similar to that of rabbit rearing in the training centre in Liberia.
The grass cutter farm could be incorporated into the existing Sustainable Agriculture Projects such sheep and goats farms.

Grass and lettuce are available and are enough as main feeds and supplements are easy to put together.

4 steps to establish a small scale grass cutter farm:

1. A U-fenced hut of about 6 m2 and 3 m high, roofed with corrugated iron sheet
2. Double decker cage compartments of 50cm x 50cm x 50cm each
3. Drinking water can be constructed with local plastic water bottle
4. Suggested ratio of - one healthy male to highest 3 females to start.

We are ready to support you with our development and management skills in starting your small and medium scale production.