Empowering South Africa’s Rural Livestock Keepers Through Veterinary Entrepreneurship

Rural communities across South Africa are witnessing a new wave of progress as veterinary paraprofessionals take the lead in improving animal health and livelihoods. Through a transformative programme led by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and national partners, Animal Health Technicians are being equipped with clinical, business, and entrepreneurial skills to build sustainable animal healthcare enterprises that serve smallholder farmers.

Source:Ambuvets Konsult's 

Presented at the 19th FAO Subregional Multi-Disciplinary Team Meeting for Southern Africa, the initiative is being praised as a game-changer for livestock health and rural development. It blends technical training with entrepreneurship, helping veterinary professionals create local solutions that ensure farmers have consistent access to preventive care, disease surveillance, and advisory services.

For many small-scale farmers, especially women, livestock represents both food security and economic stability. Yet veterinary services in rural areas remain scarce. By empowering veterinary paraprofessionals to establish private practices, the programme bridges this gap while promoting community-centered approaches that respond to local needs.

Partnerships with Tsolo Agriculture and Rural Development Institute and North-West University have made the training more practical and accessible through blended learning — combining online lessons, hands-on workshops, and field mentorship. Collaboration with the Department of Agriculture and the South African Veterinary Council has also strengthened professional recognition and regulatory alignment.

So far, 110 veterinary paraprofessionals have completed the training, more than 70 percent of them women. Fourteen new Primary Animal Healthcare businesses have been launched, collectively supporting around 1,100 smallholder farmers with disease prevention, early detection, and animal welfare services. The results have elevated the role of Animal Health Technicians and proven the power of veterinary entrepreneurship to transform rural economies.

Future plans focus on scaling the model through open-access learning materials, training-of-trainers systems, and stronger policy support. With continued investment and collaboration, South Africa is setting a new benchmark for inclusive and sustainable livestock systems — where local expertise drives healthier herds, resilient livelihoods, and a more secure food future.