AHTs kickstart private clinics with vital ECDC investment
Thirteen (13) Animal Health Technicians (AHTs) are kicking off their entrepreneurial journey after an Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) R512,000 injection to help them start their own private primary animal health facilities.
Led by the ECDC, in partnership with the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the Eastern Cape Department of Agriculture’s Tsolo Agriculture and Rural Development Institute (TARDI), the programme positions AHTs as business owners rather than job-seekers. Animal health technicians are trained veterinary workers who help prevent disease, treat animals and support farmers, particularly in rural communities. Ther crucial services offered by the AHTs means there will be improved access to animal health facilities for rural communities where the AHTs are based, and they will not have to wait for veterinarians to treat their animals.
The R512,000 in funding was for an eight-month training programme of the Animal Health Technicians and for entrepreneurial start-up kits. The in-kind financial contribution went toward the provision of veterinary clinical equipment, consumables, cold-chain solutions, and infrastructure support (containers for Primary Animal Healthcare facilities). This support enables AHTs to operationalise their businesses and to deliver services sustainably.
“The programme is designed to help AHTs to build sustainable and viable enterprises. The programme addresses high unemployment levels among Animal Health Technicians; it improves access to animal healthcare services in rural and underserved communities and promotes entrepreneurship within the veterinary paraprofessional sector.
In partnership with FAO, ECDC will provide ongoing technical support, monitoring and evaluation, and business development assistance to ensure the sustainability of the enterprises. This includes regular progress reviews, technical oversight, and support to link beneficiaries to relevant agricultural and veterinary value chains to enhance growth and market access. The AHTs have also benefitted from business plan and financial management training. They have used these business plans as the basis for funding applications. Future intakes will be expanded through a phased rollout informed by the performance of the pilot cohort, resource availability, and provincial development priorities,” says ECDC Business Consultant Zoliswa Mnqokoyi.
Mnqokoyi says historically, AHTs were restricted from operating private practices due to legislative limitations. This contributed to unemployment rates estimated between 32% and 60% (FAO Survey, 2021), while rural farmers remained underserved.
In December 2022, the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) amended legislation to enable AHTs to operate as private sector service providers, create pathways for self-employment and enterprise development and to strengthen animal healthcare delivery at primary level.
Despite legislative reform, uptake has been limited due to a lack of entrepreneurial and business management skills, limited access to finance, inadequate infrastructure and operational resources as well as regulatory compliance challenges.
This programme addresses these challenges by allowing AHTs to operate as private service providers to also address the unemployment challenge. It also means greater access to animal health facilities for rural communities where the AHTs are based, and they will not have to wait for veterinarians.
The response from the AHTs has been positive. They indicated that the training and business support has helped them to start their own private businesses to generate an income and to contribute meaningfully to animal health especially in rural settings where access to animal health facilities remains a challenge.
Based in Mount Ayliff, Zimasa Qwayede, says the programme has created immense opportunities for her. She says the support received from the programme reinforces the importance of AHTs.
Qwayede’s business supplies animal feed and medicines, and primary healthcare services in the agricultural sector.
“Primary animal health care services are essential for strengthening food security, supporting rural livelihoods, and ensuring the sustainability of livestock production systems. Our work contributes to disease surveillance, prevention, and early intervention, while promoting animal welfare,” says Qwayede.
Mthatha’s Wandile Mnono says the programme transformed his perspectives to entrepreneurship.
“The business management training has helped integrate animal health expertise with sound business practices. The equipment we received is crucial, and will significantly improve Primary Animal Health Care Services. The equipment will assist me to operate efficiently and effectively in a highly competitive business environment,” Mnono says.
Mnono adds that the legislative amendments now make it easier for unemployed technicians to establish business and ear an income using their paraveterinary skills.
