MOFA train farmers in animal rearing

Saltpond (C/R) Aug. 20 GNA- The Mfantseman District Agricultural Development Unit (DADU) of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) has organised a two-day workshop for prospective grass-cutter farmers and at Saltpond.

The workshop formed part of the DADU's capacity building programme for farmers under the Agricultural Sub-Sector Improvement Programme (AGSSIP) of the ministry.

Speaking to Ghana News Agency (GNA) at Saltpond, Mr George Kpor, District Director of Agriculture said the workshop was to offer prospective farmers and processors the opportunity to learn how to prepare grass-cutter meat for consumers. Mr Kpor said the key areas covered included breeding, housing and processing.

He said grass-cutter meat was in high demand in the country because of its delicacy and high protein content. For this reason, the animal is hunted widely with some hunters using unauthorised methods to trap or kill them.

He said the farmers were being encouraged to rear the animal to prevent its depletion.

The Director said this would lead to an improvement on animal protein production and also reduce reliance on hunting of animals in the wild. It would also minimise bushfires and eliminate the use of unauthorised means of trapping or killing them.

Mr Kpor said the trainees would be assisted to form groups in their communities in order to access funds under the District Assembly's Poverty Alleviation Programme or the Social Investment Fund (SIF).