A two-day training programme in cane rat (grasscutter) farming has been successfully concluded in Grand Gedeh County, Liberia, as part of a wider initiative to promote sustainable livelihoods and protect forest ecosystems.
The training was conducted under the European Union-funded Leh Go Green project in partnership with the Forestry Training Institute (FTI), and held at the Grand Gedeh Community College.
The session brought together six participants—three men and three women—from the communities of Boundary and Ziah Towns, who were taught the fundamental skills of cane rat rearing, including pen construction, feeding, disease prevention, and overall livestock management.
“This training is part of our strategy to reduce communities’ dependence on bushmeat.
By offering alternative protein sources and income-generating activities like cane rat farming, we are protecting our forest ecosystems while creating sustainable livelihoods,” said Mr. Korkolie E. Dongbo, Leh Go Green Project Officer.
Led by FTI Production Officers Mr. D.
Kingdom Grear and Mr. Jonathan Glee, the training focused on equipping participants with the practical tools needed to manage successful cane rat farms.
“Cane rat farming is one of the most sustainable small livestock ventures available to rural farmers.
It requires minimal investment, adapts well to local conditions, and offers quick returns. Our goal is to ensure participants leave with the practical skills needed to establish and sustain their farms,” Mr. Grear explained.
Mr. Glee added, “We covered the full production cycle from pen construction to breeding and disease control. If properly managed, this venture can greatly reduce the reliance on wild meat and offer long-term economic benefits for local families.”
Participants expressed enthusiasm and pledged to implement the knowledge gained in their home communities. The training is expected to not only improve household nutrition but also reduce dependence on forest hunting, a major threat to Liberia’s biodiversity.
The Leh Go Green project, managed by the UNDP in collaboration with the Forestry Development Authority (FDA), continues to advance environmental conservation through grassroots empowerment, with this latest training seen as a key step toward sustainable rural development in Grand Gedeh.
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