vHive is pleased to announce a collaboration with Zoetis to support their A.L.P.H.A. (African Livestock Productivity and Health Advancement) initiative, which is co-funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Zoetis. This initiative seeks to holistically approach the development of a sustainable Animal Health market that will target farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa by mobilizing the infrastructure, expertise and products currently available. Importantly, A.L.P.H.A. is dedicated to including smallholder livestock keepers in the initiative. This innovative approach by Zoetis will aim to advance livestock health and productivity in Africa through the increased availability of veterinary medicines and services, and through implementation of a sustainable disease diagnostics infrastructure. Through the combination of veterinary laboratory hubs and Outreach Services incorporated into business hubs in Ethiopia, Nigeria and Uganda the initiative will deliver measurable benefits and accelerate the establishment of a sustainable animal health and well-being infrastructure. vHive will be providing expertise in digital innovation, data analysis and epidemiology to support the Zoetis in-country teams.

The initiative will run for 3 years and aims to reduce the barriers to entry into the highly volatile and fragmented sub-Saharan African animal health market, and boost the development of a sustainable local animal health business by improving livestock disease alleviation that will enhance small-holder farming productivity.

The University of Surrey and Zoetis are proud to collaborate together on such a significant and exciting project.