Sunyani, Oct. 23, GNA - A two-day national conference of grasscutter farmers opened in Sunyani on Thursday with a call on them to form co-operatives to be able to benefit from various credit sources for the expansion of their activities.

Mr Yaw Adjei-Duffuor, deputy Brong Ahafo Regional Minister made the call in a speech read for him at the conference, which is being attended by about 100 grasscutter farmers throughout the country. It is sponsored by GTZ, a German NGO under the auspices of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture.

The Deputy Minister noted that grasscutter meat is a delicacy in many homes and a very good source of animal protein. "It is one of the animals most pursued in our forests and grasslands".

He, however, said the method of using fire to trap the animal had not been beneficial because of the resultant spread of bushfires "which destroy property and in some cases the death of some people". This underscores the importance to tame grasscutters and rear them in our homes to avoid unnecessary bush burning, particularly, during the dry season, Mr Adjei-Duffuor said.

Mr Adjei-Duffuor emphasized that the creation of employment opportunities for individuals and families was a major concern of the government and the successful taming of the animals, "just as we do for our poultry, goats and sheep", would provide employment for a majority of interested Ghanaians.

The deputy Minister urged the farmers to seek professional advice from extension officers of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture and other stakeholders to increase their knowledge and capacities. He advised the farmers to be wary of the deadly HIV/AIDS and abstain from illicit sex so they could have the energy and good health to promote their operations.

Mr Adjei-Duffuor gave the assurance that the government would assist the association to nurture "so that grasscutter farming will be a routine work and become part and parcel of our agricultural life". Resource persons from the Animal Research Institute of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture will lead the farmers to share experiences and the way forward for the infant industry.