The Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with veterinary technology firm Vetsark Limited to tackle disease outbreaks in animal production and improve productivity by reducing loss for livestock farmers within the country.
Speaking during the MoU’s signing in Lagos, Vetsark Chief Executive Officer Blessing Mene stated that the partnership would allow Vetsark to provide technical infrastructure to the NVMA and its members across the country.
Vetsark is a web-based platform for building and distributing locally relevant and sustainable solutions to the challenges that undermine agriculture and health in Africa.
The firm collaborates with governments, nongovernmental organizations and credible people in using disease report data to predict, prevent and manage disease outbreaks for the benefit of livestock farmers, veterinarians and general public health.
According to Mene, livestock production represents one-third of Nigeria’s agricultural gross domestic product. In addition, the World Organization for Animal Health indicates that over $3 billion is lost every year in Africa to instances of disease.
“One of the things we are hoping to achieve with the partnership is that we are going to be rolling out an Ambassador’s Programme that will benefit between 100 and 200 veterinarians across the country, who are expected to be unburden on this programme,” Mene added.
Commenting on the partnership, Ibrahim Ado Shehu, acting national president of the NVMA, noted that the agreement names Vetsark Limited as technical partner to the NVMA and that the firm shall provide technological tools that aid in the provision of services by veterinarians, who are the custodians of animal health.
“Vetsark Limited will be leveraging on the grant and support provided by Google.org through the Google Impact Challenge to benefit the members of the NVMA and the community,” he said.
