Cavy production: Cameroon’s potential underexploited

Domestic cavy is considered in Cameroon as a non-conventional livestock species (locally named Guinea pig). Like in most of Sub-Saharan Africa, cavy is a neglected and underutilized animal species.

For majority of people, cavy is just a laboratory animal. These considerations had for long reduced interest in this animal that originated from South America by policy makers and researchers as well as tertiary higher education systems.

Cameroon currently is the leading Sub-Saharan country in terms of domestic cavy research and the second concerning cavy population. Currently, it is estimated that about 200,000 households in Cameroon keep domestic cavy.

Cavy-culture is well established is highlands (West and North West Regions) and also in hot humid forest regions. The figures are surely underestimated because of weak policies and insufficient agricultural statistics, experts opine.

The immediate potential of cavy is related to animal source products for direct food and nutrition purposes. Cavy meat seems very accessible for majority of low-income households in rural and peri-urban areas to meet their daily protein intake.

On the other hand, there is urban demand that is not negligible according to research findings, Dr Felix Meutchiye, Animal Breeding-Natural Resources Management-expert at the University of Dschang explained. The huge potential of domestic cavy production in Cameroon evolves around nutrition and income.

Micro elements gained from cavies like iron and many other proteins speak well of cavy farming which is relatively cheaper and easier compared to that of other livestock species, Dr Felix Meutchiye, said.

He stated that cavy rearing requires little space; while its feeding is cheap. Besides, it can be fed with a large variety of wild plants, harvest and kitchen waste, vegetables and fruit off-cuts.

The sector difficulties range from the marginal training programmes and funding desks, experts say. The production patterns are predominantly of family or subsistence type.

Flock sizes are small which combine with poor technical management skills yield very low compared to what could be achieved. “We have suggested the design of a national breeding programme.

Cavy sector development needs vibrant collaboration among stakeholders, what has been initiated by functional Cavy Innovation Platforms in Cameroon since 2012,” Dr Felix Meutchiye explained.