By Fatima Muraina
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Inteding farmers in Ondo state have been advised to go into grasscutter production to earn foreign exchange to better their lives.
An integrated farmer who is into grasscutter production, Mr. Joseph Ojueromi gave the advice at a two- day grasscutter management training for farmers held at the weekend in Akure, the Ondo state capital.
Ojueromi said grasscutter business is one of the most profitable which is cheaper to venture into.
He emphasized the importance of training and necessary skills towards setting up a small scale farm .
Explaining its lucrativeness, Ojuoeromi said: ” a family of one colony cost between N120,000 -N130,000 for one male to four females.
“Imagine, in the next four to eight months, you would have succeeded in having your own and start selling,” he said.
According to him, four females can give birth to four each, producing a total of 16.
Also, a Resource Person from the Republic of Benin, Mr Agnahome Marc advised the farmers on providing medicinal feed to the animals to curb mortality rate and also to castrate them earlier where there are too many males because they cannot live together.
He said Nigerians have passion to rear grasscutters, but needed training toachieve their potential in the business.
Participants at the training expressed satisfaction and that the training has added values to their understanding of grasscutter production.
One of the participants, Mr Wale Adebayo stated that he has learnt the mode of building the grasscutter’s house and the proper way to cater for them.
Another participant, Mr Taiwo Oluwaseun said the profit in rearing the animal is very encouraging because they feed majorly on grasses making it profitable to venture into.
He also noted their ability to multiply faster within three to four months and get to their maturity stage, adding that their ability to adapt to the environment they find themselves makes the business more interesting.
