Distribution Systems
VITAL 1 (Veterinary Innovations Transforming Animal Health and Livelihoods)
Overview
VITAL 1 was a six-year programme (2017 – 2024) building on the work of GALVmed’s previous PLSHL1 and PLSHL2 programmes. In progressing this work, VITAL 1 reflects key learnings from past programmes including partnering with larger multinational private sector partners in the animal health industry; a greater focus on multi-valent vaccine development; and an increased emphasis on demonstrating and proving the underlying business case of distribution networks.
Underpinning everything in VITAL 1 was a focus on the small-scale livestock producers’ needs, and the products and market processes that can make a material and sustainable difference to their livelihoods. Effective new livestock vaccines on the market and large-scale commercial distribution networks selling these and other essential animal health products to tens of millions of small-scale producers was the long-term vision for VITAL 1.
The BI LastMile Initiative
Overview
The LastMile Initiative (2018 – 2024), implemented in partnership with Boehringer Ingelheim (BI) across six African countries (Kenya, Cameroon, Mali, Ethiopia, Burkina Faso, Nigeria), was designed to address weak distribution channels of animal health products as well as helping the SSPs in these countries to increase their knowledge on disease prevention and treatment. Additionally, through this initiative a number of new BI products were registered in a number of Africa countries. The main objective of the LastMile project was to facilitate Boehringer Ingelheim’s expansion into the African market and thereby afford SSPs with an improved portfolio of animal health products. This was achieved by the registration of a range of products in the countries in scope and building awareness at farm level through visits by veterinary para professionals.
Achievements
The LastMile initiative improved the availability of animal medical resources for over 336,000 small-scale producers in remote areas of sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The initiative received a no-cost extension in 2023, allowing forty five new Boehringer Ingelheim product registrations in eight countries across Africa increasing BI’s portfolio of products in SSA by 60%.
Videos
Transforming veterinary services through a digital app
Walking the Last Mile
GALVmed-Laprovet Senegal Project
Overview
GALVmed and Animal health company Laprovet partnered in a commercial importation and distribution project for animal health products The LAPROVET project (2019-2024) was aimed at forging a sustainable smallholder-focused animal health distribution network in Senegal for the distribution of pharmaceuticals and vaccines. The main objective was to support traditional and emergent commercial poultry and ruminant farming by modernizing the distribution landscape in the country. Another key element was the promotion of prophylaxis and biosecurity measures to retailers and farmers through activities of sensitization, technical capacity building and affordable diagnostic services.
Achievements
- Upstream support to new animal health products importer to become one of the top three importers in the country.
- GALVmed and French veterinary laboratory Laprovet established an innovative smallholder-focused animal health distribution network in Senegal: Over 250,000 annual SSP customers reached from 2019-2024.
- Partnership with veterinarians to establish and support diagnostic services to small-scale producers: 1,800 diagnostic disease tests conducted since 2021 (Senegal).
- Training and support leading to lasting effect on farming practices in Senegal: Since 2019, the project led 166 training sessions – reaching 814 veterinary professionals and 2,541 poultry farmers; and 1,330 downloads for Laprovet’s mobile app for animal health information.
Videos
GALVmed-Cowtribe West Africa Upstream Initiative
Overview
The animal health inputs supply chain in Ghana is concentrated in large cities where importers are based. Agrovet shops in rural areas where most of the small-scale livestock production occurs are relatively underserved, typically having to travel long distances into the cities to procure products. This results in small-scale livestock producers (SSPs) experiencing unreliable supply of products which tend to be expensive.
The aim of this project (dates) was to set up a new company to source quality animal health inputs and supply them to rural agrovets. GALVmed worked with leading last-mile veterinary delivery company, Cowtribe, to bridge gaps in access and availability of vital livestock health products by small-scale livestock producers.
Achievements
The project connected a registered network of agrovet dealers across five regions in Ghana with large-scale distributors. A key innovation was Cowtribe’s development of Zhulia, an e-commerce platform that empowers these dealers to better manage their inventory and sales while accessing competitive pricing.
Videos
Strengthening Access to Livestock Health Products by Small scale Producers in Ghana
The GALVmed Hester South Asia Project
Overview
In the Indian states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, and adjoining areas of Nepal, availability and efficient supply of animal health products is inadequate. In addition to this challenge, information on the benefits of veterinary vaccines and medicines is very limited.
The GALVmed Hester South Asia Project aims to develop a commercially viable distribution network of veterinary medicines and vaccines for small-scale livestock producers (SSPs) in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Nepal to guarantee a sustainable access to effective animal health products. By increasing the supply of quality veterinary medicines and vaccines, and creating awareness for their use, small-scale producers will be able to address the economic difficulties that livestock diseases cause, and on a bigger scale, to achieve a lasting transformation in their livelihoods.
Objectives
- To develop a commercially viable distribution model of veterinary medicines and vaccines for SSPs in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Nepal
- To help 2 million SSPs in the project area by making available the most needed veterinary products to prevent diseases in their livestock and poultry
Current Status
- More than 1000 stockists and retailers currently distributing animal health products to SSPs
- Over 1500 veterinary professionals and paraprofessionals are aware and recommending products to SSPs
- Continuous training and orientation of supply chain actors, service providers and SSPs
- Collaborations with other stakeholders/partners to reach more SSPs
Further information