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Year: 2026 | Month: November | Volume: 13 | Issue: 11 | Pages: 174-184

DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijrr.20261116

Production Capacity Utilisation, Institutional Constraints, and Evidence Gaps in Grasscutter Farming at IRVAG-Moata, Guinea

Demba Aissata SAMOURA¹, Alseny BANGOURA², Souleymane BALDE³

^1,2,3Department of Natural Resource Management, University of N'Zérékoré, N'Zérékoré, Guinea

Corresponding Author: Demba Aissata Samoura

ABSTRACT

Grasscutter-farming constraints are well documented in West Africa. However, data on how a specialized public institute translates its infrastructure and farming expertise into breeding stock production, research, and extension services remain limited. This exploratory case study assessed institutional capacities and evidence gaps at the Grasscutter Farming Research and Extension Institute (IRVAG) in Moata, Guinea. Data were collected from April 13 to June 13, 2024, using document analysis, semi-structured interviews with 12 targeted institutional respondents (representing administrative, technical, and trainee roles), three role-based focus groups, direct observation, and routine population surveys. The results revealed that, at baseline, 48 animals, including 19 males and 29 females, occupied 35 of the 124 enclosures, representing an occupancy rate of 28.2%. Fifteen live births were recorded during the two-month observation period, and no deaths or clinical illnesses were reported. Among the 14 perceived constraints, insufficient funding (5.00), limited veterinary equipment (4.50), weak mobilization of external resources (3.83), insufficient scientific capacity (3.58), and weak partnerships (3.00) received the highest average scores. The consensus on this ranking was moderate (Kendall's W = 0.343, χ² = 53.49, df = 13, p < 0.001). Contrary to the obstacles frequently reported at the farm level, animal feed scarcity and labour shortages received the lowest average scores at this institution. The study thus contributes to establishing an institutionally adapted framework by identifying a gap between available infrastructure and its operational use, while also highlighting production and conservation outcomes.

Keywords: Biodiversity conservation, Grasscutter, Production constraints, Sustainable wildlife use.

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