Empowering veterinary paraprofessional entrepreneurs in Nigeria
Nigeria is one of three countries (Nigeria, South Africa and Uganda) implementing the empowering veterinary paraprofessional entrepreneurs project which includes holistic approaches to support improved livestock service delivery through private sector veterinary paraprofessionals.
Training private sector veterinary paraprofessionals
FAO is delivering innovative continuing professional development training programmes that combine smartphone-based online learning with practical and interactive face-to-face workshops. The training focusses on building business skills and supporting VPPs to deliver sustainable, preventive livestock healthcare.
Training is delivered through three partner institutions: College of Agriculture and Animal Sciences (CAAS), Ahmadu Bello University, Mando: Adamawa State College of Agriculture, Science and Technology, Ganye; and Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, Ibadan.
Improving the regulatory environment for veterinary paraprofessionals
FAO is working with the Veterinary Council of Nigeria to support improved registration and regulation for VPPs. Activities include improving the registration mechanisms for VPPs and raising awareness on the professional roles of VPPs and importance of registration.
Catalyzing business success through multistakeholder platforms
FAO convenes public and private stakeholders to improve the enabling environment for private sector service delivery to small-scale producers. Workshops have been held at national level and will be cascaded to State level with the aim of building self-sustaining platforms of mutual benefit to all stakeholders. The Nigeria Veterinary Medical association and the Nigeria Association of Animal Health and Husbandry Technologists have been supported with the aim of improving collaborations between veterinarians and VPPS.
Measuring and documenting success
The impacts of the project’s activities are measured through mixed-methods studies conducted with trained VPPs and with the farmers they serve. These assessments indicate that VPP’s business income increased by 53 percent after the training. Ninety-four percent of farmers who received services from a trained VPP reported that their farm was performing better since the VPP had been trained and these farmers reported significant increases in vaccination uptake and implementation of preventive healthcare practices.
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Highlights
Strengthening sustainable veterinary paraprofessional enterprises in Nigeria
The project aims to improve women and men smallholder farmer access to quality preventive veterinary services through private sector VPPs.
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.
Highlights
FAO enhances entrepreneurial skills of veterinary paraprofessionals through capacity building
With a shortage of veterinary coctors, VPPs are pivotal in filling the gap and reaching rural livestock farmers.
Highlights
Veterinary paraprofessionals receive new skills on preventive animal healthcare approaches
A seven-month training course was organised for veterinary paraprofessionals in Kaduna and Oyo states, Nigeria.
Tools
Veterinary paraprofessional competency framework: Nigeria
The Nigeria Veterinary Paraprofessional Competency Framework is specifically tailored to the role of veterinary paraprofessionals in Nigeria.
Highlights
FAO graduate veterinary paraprofessionals to boost Nigeria’s livestock sector
FAO and the Government of Nigeria have marked a significant milestone with the graduation of the first cohort of 25 veterinary paraprofessionals trained to support livestock health in rural communities.