Boost for animal health
TWENTY-FIVE para-vets will soon contribute to Fiji’s animal health and production sector after completing their 16 weeks Introductory Para-vet Training Course Livestock Diseases last Friday.
These para-vets are livestock, research, and extension officers, employed at the Ministry of Agriculture who are now well equipped with knowledge on responding to livestock care.
While delivering his keynote address, Minister for Agriculture and Waterways Vatimi Rayalu said empowering and upskilling the agriculture workforce played a vital role in building the ministry’s capacity to respond to the sector.
“The strength of our ministry is the product of knowledge and skills of each workforce which is crucial in the field of agriculture, particularly for livestock and veterinary services,” Mr Rayalu said.
He thanked the Animal Health and Production Division of the ministry and the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) for the development and running of the course.
He also expressed his gratitude to the European Union for funding the program as well as the United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organization for their continuous technical and financial support.
SPC’s director for Land Resources Development (LRD), Karen Mapusa reminded the graduates that in alignment with a one health approach, the training extends beyond animal care.
“It serves to reduce the risk of disease transmission to humans, guard against the introduction of exotic diseases and enhance overall livestock farming practices for environmental benefits,” Ms Mapusa said.
“Fiji recognises the indispensable role of para-vets and you are the main human resources on the ground engaging with farmers and carrying out extension work critical to the success of animal health and production in the Pacific Island countries.”
Out of the 25 officers that graduated, 15 were females.
Newly graduated paravet, locality livestock officer for Dreketi in Macuata, 32-year-old Kirtika Mala said it has been a challenge on most days as she lacked capacity to address animal health issues.
“The training has enabled me to give the right advice at the right time using the exact medication if animals show symptoms of sickness,” Ms Mala explained.
“As a woman in a male dominated field, we are often looked down on because of the decisions that we make for farms, moving forward, I will be able to counter negative criticism through the provision of appropriate animal health advice.”
The training together with the support for the Fiji Veterinary laboratory upgrade, supported by SPC, will enhance Fiji’s animal health and production sector.