In developing economies, animal husbandry is one of the largest single sectors of economic activity. Raising animals for personal consumption as well as trade is an essential activity for even the most small-scale of farmers.  PFD has engaged in Veterinary Health and services for approximately 7 years. 

Veterinary Health Projects:  Bosnia & Herzegovina| Cambodia

National Quarantine Border Inspection Station

According to the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations in Bosnia & Herzegovina (BiH), livestock production makes up approximately 50% of overall agricultural production, or about 6% of Gross Domestic Product. This share is significantly lower than what was found before the war. Bosnia & Herzegovina is currently a meat-deficit nation, requiring significant imports to meet demand. 

 Rehabilitation and revitalization of the livestock sector after the war (1992-95) has been complicated by the fact that, first, state-level institutions had to be built. While the BiH State Veterinary Law was adopted in 2002, there remained a lingering need to harmonize border control policies for livestock entering the country.

Recognizing the risk that diseased animals could enter the country, and the damage this could bring to both animal and public health, Partners for Development worked with the State Veterinary Office (SVO) to build capacity in BiH to monitor and control animal disease and animal movement. Together, PFD and the SVO have formed a working group with local veterinary offices in order to develop a harmonized state border inspection regulation which meets international standards.

In May of 2008, PFD completed construction of a modern border verterinary inspection post  (BVIP) at Raca border crossing into Serbia. At this post, the SVO will inspect animals and products of animal origin entering and exiting the country.

PFD provided technical assistance to the SVO by developing and publishing ten manuals on border veterinary control. These and other technical documentation led to the development of strategic plan legistlation, regulation and operational prodcedures which are necessary for the border veterinary post to operate in compliance with EU requirements.

UPDATE:

The Raca BVIP is fully operational and has controlled 2,500  animal consignments since opening in July of 2009. All consignments with live animals coming into BiH from Serbia are now controlled at the Raca facilities.

Past Programs: Village Animal Health Workers

More than 36% of the population in Cambodia is malnourished and issues of food security and animal health are a serious concern, particularly for the rural underserved populations.  To meet these needs, PFD worked to improve animal health and husbandry techniques, as well as veterinary services by implementing veterinary health activities in Cambodia through a network of Village Animal Health Workers (VAHWs) who received training in basic animal health care.  This knowledge and skills was then passed on to their local communities. 

Agriculture extension agents, trained under the PFD program, worked with local communities to provide training, information, and techniques for successful family duck-raising to reduce malnutrition through increasing the egg-laying duck population.  Finally, PFD ensured sustainability within Cambodia for veterinary health work through support to the University of Tropical Agriculture for expansion of their animal research facility.