The Small Herds In Nigeria Exercise (SHINE) Goat Project aimed to train twenty-four animal health workers, technicians, missionaries, local herders and village heads at the Christian Faith Mission (CMF) computer training centre at Wurin Alheri, Jos South, Plateau State, Nigeria.
In attendance was a vet from the nearby National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI), Vom, a team member who is a parasitologist (entomologist) at the institute and a team from Zoetis. They helped to answer questions raised during the workshop, translate technical terms into the local language (Hausa), and also helped in the hands-on practical workshop with on-site sheep.
The collaborative work between Zoetis and the University of Surrey, the SHINE project aimed to:
- Promote peace and build trust between indigenous farming communities and their semi-nomadic ruminant-herding neighbours, introducing regional herd owners and herders to the work of Zoetis’ A.L.P.H.A veterinary initiative, to address issues of herd health impacting the livelihood of the herding community.
- Create a platform for further diagnostic, treatment, immunisation and parasite preventative or other vet related work by ALPHA Initiative in the region, while promoting use of Zoetis veterinary pharmaceutical products in diagnosis, treatment and prevention of livestock disease, improving herd health.
“We were with important people, above our social group, and yet they treated us as equals. We are not used to this” – The Fulani herders
The S.H.I.N.E. project has helped the settlement of the pastoral Fulani nomadic tribe in Northern Nigeria. This has helped to build positive relationships based on animal health, access to diagnostic’s and health solutions through mobile vet clinics.
There have been 15 farms involved in the training provided which has helped to increase surveillance on over 5,000 cattle and train 30 animal health workers. This has seen an increase in productivity and income of farms in the area. through the donation of goals to families, especially single mothers, and widowers. This was the first step in establishing regular sources of nutrition and income to those in poverty.
“A.L.P.H.A. has brought multiple benefits to the Fulani community, to the veterinary community and to the nation as a whole in facilitating access to animal medicines, vaccines and diagnostic services,” said Dr. Dare Omoniwa, Large Animal Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Jos, Nigeria. “Medicalisation of animals had a very big impact. It has been used to good effect to build unity, trust and peace in the region.” – Zoetis Press Release
Read the full press release here.