Improving small-scale livestock farmers and pastoralists access to quality livestock services
Quality, preventive livestock healthcare services are critical for reducing the risk and impacts of disease. Preventive livestock healthcare is also critical in addressing threats to human health from zoonotic disease and antimicrobial resistance. However, the number of veterinarians across sub-Saharan Africa and Asia remains low, leading to a gap in service provision.
In many countries, structural adjustment programmers focused the role of public sector veterinary services on surveillance and control of priority diseases, which reduces government support for broader livestock healthcare services. Private sector veterinary paraprofessionals (VPPs) can play a vital role in filling this gap, in particular reaching rural smallholder and pastoralist livestock farmers.
Empowering veterinary paraprofessional entrepreneurs
FAO is piloting a model for sustainable service delivery through private sector VPPs. This initiative empowers VPPs, recognizing their invaluable contribution to improving animal health, productivity, and the livelihoods of rural communities.
The project pioneers a sustainable service delivery model that addresses gaps in initial training, unclear professional regulatory frameworks, and the lack of an enabling business environment. It focuses on continuous professional development, gender-responsive programming, and the creation of supportive public-private partnerships. FAO’s overarching goal is to bridge existing gaps, fostering a more resilient and effective system for delivering essential livestock services.
Focus areas
Project countries
Did you know?
⦿ Rural women make up two-thirds of low-income livestock farmers, yet only five percent of extension services reach them. Women VPPs play a crucial role in bridging this gap.
⦿ Across sub-Saharan Africa there are 10 times more veterinary paraprofessionals (VPPs) than veterinarians.
⦿ A VPP is a person authorized by the veterinary statutory body to carry out certain designated tasks under the responsibility and direction of a veterinarian.
⦿ A VPP typically has training to certificate, diploma or degree level. This is distinct from Community Animal Health Workers who receive shorter training.
⦿ VPPs play important roles in the surveillance and control of diseases affecting livestock and humans.
With support from
Find out more
news
Building sustainable models for continuing professional development for the veterinary workforce
Training institutions from Nigeria, South Africa and Uganda gathered in Mafikeng, South Africa, for a three-day workshop on strengthening long-term sustainability of continuing professional development (CPD) for VPPs.
In depth
Measuring impact: Empowering veterinary paraprofessional entrepreneurs
Measuring and documenting the impacts of interventions is critical to demonstrate effectiveness, support learning, and guide future approaches.
publication
Lessons learned: Insights and best practices from efforts to train and empower VPPs
These resources provide practical guidance for improving training delivery, mentorship, and business development, ensuring that VPPs can offer high-quality services and contribute to resilient livestock production systems.
Highlights
Mobilizing human and animal health professionals to tackle gender-based violence
Through FAO's Virtual Learning Center for West Africa FAO piloted a low-bandwidth, smartphone compatible online Female Leadership in One Health course.
stories
Bridging the gender gap in animal health services
Through an FAO-supported training, Blessing Andrew, the sole practicing woman veterinary paraprofessional in Sanga, Nigeria, realized that she could be a vital resource to the many women farmers who need access to animal health care.
news
Empowering women's leadership in One Health — insights from West Africa
Nafinatu Abdullahi, Veterinary Paraprofessional Training Specialist at FAO Nigeria, reflects on the importance of empowering women in leadership roles to address challenges and drive progress in community health and gender equality in the country.
news
Promoting gender-responsive approaches and One Health among animal and human health workers in Western Africa
FAO launches a three-week virtual learning course for animal and human health professionals to guide farming communities on One Health risks and improve nutritional security in Western Africa following a gender responsive approach.
Tools
Veterinary paraprofessional competency framework toolkit
This toolkit provides guidance and details the step-by-step process for developing a country-specific animal health veterinary paraprofessional competency framework.
The role of veterinary paraprofessionals in the control of foot-and-mouth disease and similar transboundary animal diseases
This research study aims to better understand the role of veterinary paraprofessionals in the control of foot-and-mouth disease.