Factors affecting the adoption of grasscutter (Thryonomys s)

There have been efforts by the Government of Ghana and non-governmental organizations to train farmers in grasscutter farming. Some of the farmers after their training do not go into production. This study was aimed at investigating the factors affecting the adoption of grasscutter farming in Sunyani municipality. A total of 42 farmers made up of two focus groups (adopters and non-adopters) trained in grasscutter rearing were identified and interviewed. The study was based on Rogers’ and Pantanali’s models of adoption, taking into account the characteristics of farmers, land ownership and occupation as factors influencing adoption. Pearson Correlation was used to determine the relationship between adoption and the variables studied. Pair-wise ranking was used to rank the constraints to grasscutter farming. Farmers’ decision to adopt grasscutter farming was positively affected by marital status and land ownership and negatively affected by age. Sex, family size, occupation, and educational status had no influence on adoption. Theft of animals and lack of capital to buy breeding stock were found as constraints. It was concluded that the characteristics of farmers should be taken into consideration when designing grasscutter training programmes. Collaboration between the government, non-governmental organizations and local communities in finding sustainable methods of exploitation of wildlife species either for direct consumption or stock rearing and the enforcement of bye-laws on closed-season hunting were recommended.

Source: www.globalresearchjournals.org/journal/jabs/archive/june-2011-vol-2(3)/factors-affecting-the-adoption-of-grasscutter-(thryonomys-swinderianus)-farming-in-sunyani-municipality-brong-ahafo-region-ghana