Ebola Scare: Domesticated Grasscutter To The Rescue

Grasscutter

Grasscutter

By Prince Arinze Onebunne

Despite global concerns over the hunting for animals considered to be endangered species, as well as the environment impact, the bush meat trade in West Africa has continued for decades. In Nigeria, population increase and economic survival have made it more lucrative. Today, many, especially those in the rural areas, see the bush meat trade as a viable means of livelihood.

Nigeria’s forest is, however, blessed with giant grasscutters. But with the upbeat of Ebola scare and food crisis, rearing grasscutter becomes more appropriate strategy to increase protein intake and the earning capacity of Nigerians especially women, youth, unemployed and retirees. It will also reduce pressure on the animal in the wild, thus controlling environmental degradation and conserving biodiversity.

The economic potential of grasscutter meat is higher within the region and has an extensive market due to its high demand. However, it is this high demand for grasscutter’s meat that currently poses the greatest threat to its very genetic survival. The populations of wild grasscutters in African countries are declining due to over-hunting and destruction of their habitat. In order to ensure their sustainable existence and use, their farming at this juncture is therefore most opportune, given the fact that domesticated grasscutters are now consumers delight.

Bush meat-the meat of wild animals hunted in the forest or bush-is the favourite delicacy of many Nigerians; or used to be as the advent of the Ebola Virus Disease has forced most of the adherents of bush meat to abandon it and turn to domesticated grasscutters. During the last few months, interest in grasscutter farming has escalated. This may be due to the outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease as people now prefer home-grown grasscutters than those from the bush, even though, grasscutter is not among the bush-meats which carry Ebola Virus Disease. The World Health Organisation had said ‘’the virus is transmitted to people from wild fruit bats, gorillas, monkeys and chimpanzes and spreads in human population through human-to-human transmission.”Moreover, the man that brought Ebola virus into Nigeria, Mr. Patrick Sawyer flew in from Liberia and later died in Lagos Hospital. Then, the medics that attended to him contracted the virus and it began to spread in some part of the country.

Grasscutter
Grasscutter

At Jovana Farms we are encouraging people to start small-scale farming because it has enormous capacity to touch lives. Although, large scale farming has its own advantage, but it’s capital intensive and the risk aversion nature of our people have made it difficult for many entrepreneurs to go into it and so, the price of food has remained high in Nigeria.

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It’s imperative to adopt grasscutter farming for sustainable agricultural production and for the economic prosperity of the farmers. This stemmed from the fact that Nigerians are becoming health conscious by avoiding the consumption of red meat that is loaded with cholesterol. Start your own grasscutter farm now!

Currently, demand for domesticated bush-meat (grasscutter) is growing higher than those killed by hunters from the forest. This development may not be unconnected with the recent outbreak of Ebola virus disease in some West African countries. Fruit bats are considered to be the natural host of Ebola virus, not all animals.

Today, we have developed a delivery system that brought the grasscutters to the doorstep of our clients. If you solve a problem, people will pay you for it. This valued-added service has sky-rocketed the reputation of JOVANA FARMS as the grasscutter company of choice in Nigeria.

Grasscutter meat
Grasscutter meat

To raise grasscutter, one requires at least N60,000. This includes the cost of the 5-grasscutters and their cage. Feeding them is affordable; People should understand that domesticated grasscutters are no longer bush-meat but domesticated bush-meat. They are no longer ‘’grass-cutters but grass-eaters’’. The farmer is now the grasscutter because he goes into the bush to cut the grass for the animal that’s now the grass-eaters in the house.

To succeed in grasscutterfarming, new farmers are advised to “sit at the feet” of a mentor-someone that has years of experience, has made the mistake, has learned how to succeed and is willing to pass that knowledge to others.

Attend Jovana Farms nationwide seminars nearest to you and know more opportunities in grasscutter farming. Visit us at: www.jovanafarm.com, E-mail:[email protected] or Call: 080 33262 808, for more details.

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