The programme is designed to suit the participating countries’ needs in the animal health sector, and to contribute to poverty reduction by promoting sustainable livestock production with a smallholder focus.
– The effects of an animal disease outbreak can be a disaster to the economy, food supply and health of several families. Knowledge is the main key in improving animal health and preventing infections. This will lead to healthier livestock that can produce safe food and reduce hunger. In the programmewe aim to increase the knowledge and awareness of how animal health and welfare is crucial for a safe food supply chain, says Emelie Pettersson, deputy State Veterinarian at SVA.
This year the World Food Day theme is “Right to foods for a better life and a better future”. The training programme relates to several of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and two of them are No poverty and Zero hunger.
The programme is carried out together with the seven partner countries Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. It is funded by the Swedish International Development Agency’s (Sida) work with capacity and institutional development for low-and middle-income countries in priority areas. The ITP programme is planned and implemented by several Swedish governmental authorities in collaboration: SVA, the Swedish Board of Agriculture and the Swedish University of Agricultural Science (SLU).