L-PRES Launches Veterinary Services for Rural Farmers

The National Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES) is launching a pilot implementation of the Private Veterinary Service (PVS) programme to enhance veterinary services in underserved rural communities. National Coordinator Dr Sanusi Abubakar announced this initiative in Ilorin, Kwara State, highlighting the significant shortage of veterinary doctors in rural areas, where over 80% of Nigeria’s veterinarians are based in urban settings.

The project aims to deploy 780 private veterinarians and veterinary para-professionals to more than 1,000 livestock clusters across 13 states, potentially benefiting at least 26,000 livestock farmers. The PVS programme is a public-private partnership designed to improve disease surveillance, early outbreak detection, and overall livestock productivity.

Abubakar noted that Kwara is a leading state in L-PRES implementation, being the first to launch the PVS pilot. The project also includes the establishment of a Model Veterinary Hospital and a Strategic Animal Holding Facility in Ilorin, with additional plans for veterinary clinics and a vaccine storage facility.

Mrs Oloruntoyosi Thomas, Kwara State Commissioner for Livestock Development, emphasized the state government's commitment to enhancing livestock production and animal health services through this partnership.