Greater cane rat (Thryonomys swinderianus) market survey in Ghana

Bc. Jana Kalitová

Master's thesis

Abstract:

This Master´s thesis described the trade of greater cane rats (Thryonomys swinderianus) its origin, price and demand and supply on local markets in Greater Accra region in Ghana. Greater cane rats are important source of animal protein in Western Africa and considered as a local delicacy which is also reflected in its price. They are sold on local markets and also frequently bred on farms or in backyards. Data were collected on markets and farms in Greater Accra region in Ghana. For data collection on market I used semi-structured interviews based on scenarios and respondents from markets were randomly selected. On farms were data collected through short interviews with farmers which were selected by the method of snowball sampling. Important part of my research was observation of market and farm environment. Total number of 25 respondets participated in my survey, 10 farmers and 15 market sellers from 8. All greater cane rats sold on market were originated from wild. In 73 % market sellers knew the origin of greater cane rats, which was mostly in Afram plains (46 %), in Dodi (27 %), in Dodwa (18 %) and in Nsawam (9 %). The remaining 23 % of market sellers did not know exact place of origin, but they assumed, that greater cane rats are originated in Eastern region. According to market sellers demand for greater cane rats is high during the all year and especially during the Christmas time. Supply for greater cane rats depends on season – higher supply is during the rainy season, while the lower supply is during the dry season . Price of greater cane rats sold on local markets ranged from 50 to 200 GH¢ per whole body, but market sellers sold also smaller cuts of meat for average price 30 GH¢ (± 10.32). Price of greater cane rats was slightly lower and ranged from 50 to 150 GH¢ per whole body. Market sellers were predominantly women (93 %) with average age 44.6 years (± 11.3). Farmers were mostly men (96 %) with average age 55 years (± 9.47) and had significantly higher education than market sellers.

Keywords

chain market, food source, grasscutter, local market, origin

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 26. 4. 2018

Thesis defence

• Supervisor: Ing. Magdalena Miřejovská, Ph.D.

Czech University of Life Sciences Prague

Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences

Master programme / field:
Tropical Agriculture / Wildlife Management in the Tropics and Subtropics