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South Africa is expanding access to animal healthcare services and strengthening rural livelihoods through a programme that equips veterinary paraprofessionals with clinical, business and entrepreneurial skills. Led by the Food and Agriculture Organization in collaboration with national partners, the initiative enables Animal Health Technicians to establish Primary Animal Healthcare enterprises that improve livestock health, boost productivity and support sustainable rural development. The approach was recently showcased at a regional FAO meeting as an innovative model for veterinary service delivery.
The programme addresses persistent gaps in rural livestock healthcare, where limited access to veterinary services continues to affect smallholder farmers, particularly women. By providing targeted training, mentorship and regulatory support, unemployed Animal Health Technicians are being empowered to set up private practices and deliver preventive animal health services in underserved communities. The initiative also promotes closer collaboration between public institutions and private actors to strengthen service coverage and professional recognition.
Thus far, the programme has trained more than 100 veterinary paraprofessionals, the majority of them which are women, and has supported the establishment of several Primary Animal Healthcare businesses serving smallholder farmers. These enterprises are improving disease prevention, early detection and livestock management at community level. With plans to scale up through open access training materials and supportive policy frameworks, the model is positioned as a replicable approach to strengthening animal health systems and improving rural livelihoods across the region.
November 4, 2025/South Africa/
https://www.fao.org/africa/
