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Empowering veterinary paraprofessional entrepreneurs in Uganda

Uganda 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 two partner institutions: Bukalasa Agricultural College and the National Animal Genetic Resources Centre and Data Bank

Improving the regulatory environment for veterinary paraprofessionals

FAO is working with the Uganda Veterinary Board (UVB) to support improved registration and regulation for VPPs. Activities include improving UVBs online and database systems for registration, improving regulatory mechanisms for continuing professional development, supporting UVBs work with primary training institutions 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 with the aim of improving the enabling environment for private sector service delivery to small-scale producers. Workshops have been held at national level and will be cascaded to local level to build self-sustaining platforms of mutual benefit to all stakeholders. The Uganda Veterinary Association and the United Veterinary Paraprofessional Association have been supported to strengthen collaborations between VPPs and veterinarians.

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. Eighty-three percent of farmers who received services from a trained VPP reported that their farm was performing better and they reported significant increases in vaccination uptake and implementation of preventive healthcare practices.

Find out more
webinar
Assessing the impact of the ''Empowering Veterinary Paraprofessional Entrepreneurs" project - Uganda

This webinar shares evidence from Uganda on how VPPs are improving farmers’ access to animal health services.

Highlights
From paraprofessional to veterinary pioneer

Veterinary paraprofessionals are transforming livestock extension through preventive healthcare in Uganda.

Highlights
Championing change in rural Uganda: Erina Mooka’s commitment to better poultry farming

As a private veterinary paraprofessional, Erina has been working closely with smallholder poultry farmers since 2022. 

Highlights
A 360-degree service for Nakapiripirit’s livestock farmers

A humble veterinary paraprofessional is showing that modest preventive livestock healthcare enterprises can scale up to meet the needs of livestock farmers.

Tools
Veterinary paraprofessional competency framework: Uganda

The Uganda Veterinary Paraprofessional Competency Framework is specifically tailored to the role of animal health veterinary paraprofessionals in Uganda.