A group of 30 animal health graduates is moving into business thanks to a joint programme between the North-West University (NWU) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).
The initiative aims to equip the graduates to establish primary animal health care (PAHC) enterprises and deliver services in underserved communities. It should help relieve some of the pressure on animal health systems in the North West Province, where disease outbreaks and gaps in veterinary services continue to affect farmers and food production.
The nine-month programme combines technical training, field exposure and enterprise development, with a focus on preparing animal health technicians to run PAHC facilities.
Supporting early detection
Prof. Mulunda Mwanza from the NWU’s subject group Animal Health says the programme must be understood within the context of current livestock health risks.
“The scale and spread of diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease point to the need for systems that can operate effectively at community level,” he said. “Graduates deployed in these environments will support surveillance, early detection and farmer guidance.”
The programme places graduates at the frontline of animal health delivery, where they are expected to monitor disease, assist farmers with preventative practices and support compliance with movement controls. This decentralised model aims to extend services beyond existing veterinary infrastructure and improve response times in rural areas.
Nkosinathi Tom from the Office of the Vice-Chancellor said the initiative aligns with the university’s focus on linking graduate development with community service. “This programme ensures that graduates are not only entering the economy, but are also actively contributing to local agricultural systems.”
New generation of entrepreneurs
A key element of the programme is entrepreneurship. Participants are encouraged to establish and manage their own enterprises within the animal health value chain, shifting from employment-seeking to service provision within their communities. The inclusion of partners such as the North West Development Corporation and the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development supports access to funding, policy alignment and enterprise support.
FAO representative Johan Oosthuizen said the role of animal health technicians has changed over time, particularly following regulatory changes in 2022 that allow them to operate independently. “This is a fundamental transformation,” he said. “It positions you as entrepreneurs and as drivers of animal health service delivery.”
He added that local implementation remains central to global agricultural goals. “You are the ones detecting disease early and working directly with farmers. You are part of a broader system that supports food security and livelihoods,” he said.
For participants, the programme marks a transition from training to practice. Kholofelo Monkwe, speaking on behalf of the cohort of graduates, said the experience brought together individuals committed to strengthening animal health and improving livelihoods. “Now the responsibility is to apply what we have learned in our communities.”
She said the programme extended beyond technical skills. “Primary animal health care is about food security, rural livelihoods and public health.”
The partnership with the FAO and government departments also connects to the NWU’s plans to expand its role in the animal health sector, including efforts to establish a School of Veterinary Sciences. The current programme provides a platform to build capacity and align training with national and provincial priorities.
As graduates prepare to launch their own facilities, the success of the initiative will depend on their ability to translate training into service delivery, linking community needs with broader agricultural systems.
Nkosinathi Tom from the Office of the NWU Vice-Chancellor
Food and Agriculture Organisation representative Johan Oosthuizen
