PERFORMANCE OF WOMEN GRASSCUTTER FARMERS IN THE NORTHERN REGION OF GHANA

Abstract

The study was conducted in 2005 in the Tamale, Damango, Tolon-Kumbungu and Yendi districts of the Northern Region of Ghana. Ninety-eight (98) semi-structured questionnaire were administered to women groups involved in grasscutter production under the FAO/MoFA Grasscutter pilot project. Questionnaires were administered to (a) four active women groups with 60 grasscutter to assess the performance of the animals; (b) inactive members to identify reasons for their inactivity and (c) groups that lost their animals, to identify the causes of mortalities. Dry season feeding, handling problems coccidiosis and lameness were problems that discouraged the women groups from raising grasscutter in the study areas. Generally, women grasscutter farmers were slow in learning to manage their animals well. Those who lost their animals initially have expressed interest in acquiring new stock after learning of the gains made by leaders who maintained their animals if stakeholders would provide training and veterinary services when needed to the women.