One Voice to Catalyse Equitable Growth of the Livestock Sector through the harmonisation of key Livestock Policies

A unique stakeholder workshop of over 60 participants gathered in Naivasha, Kenya from 2-6 September, 2019. The stakeholder workshop, which was facilitated by AU-IBAR under the funding of the European Union brought together three groups of technical leaders of the livestock sector to discuss ways of Enhancing Harmonization and Coordination for Implementation of Key Livestock Policies, Legal and Investment Frameworks.

The groups comprised of firstly, the Continental Animal Health Platform in Africa (CAHP-Africa), a platform that brings together private and public actors to provide strategic guidance for the implementation of the Animal Health Strategy for Africa. Secondly, the Guiding Group for the CAHP oversight that was established to lead the process of reproofing the vet profession in Africa by regularly reflecting on the approach and road map. The third group comprises the Directors of Animal Production (DAP) who were invited to establish a DAP Network which is envisioned to champion and energize the implementation of the Livestock Development Strategy for Africa.

The workshop theme speaks to ‘One Voice to Catalyse Equitable Growth of the Livestock Sector’. During the workshop opening, AU-IBAR’s Director, Prof. Ahmed Elsawalhy emphasised on the need for all stakeholders to collectively have a clear collective vision and direction in the implementation of the Livestock Development Strategy for Africa in order for the sector to move in a coordinated manner. He noted the importance of moving away from fragmented short-term ad hoc planning to strategic transformative action that realize the potential of the sector. According to Prof. Elsawalhy, ‘This approach supports the principle of the Livestock Development Strategy for Africa (LiDeSA), which is designed as a response to the growing demand for animal source food, to the contribution the livestock sector can make to ending hunger, to strengthening food and nutrition security, to job creation especially for women and the youth, to ensuring healthy and sustainable environments and to economic growth.’’

The CAHP meeting specifically looked at articulating the Animal Health Strategy for Africa (AHSA), which is the animal health component of the LiDeSA. By bringing together national animal health practitioners, the meeting looked at providing a shared vision of animal health interventions in the Continent.

The CAHP-Africa network meeting specifically addressed the following:

•     Endorsed the Animal Health Strategy for Africa (including the Monitoring and Evaluation Framework and Implementation Plan) that will be submitted for consideration at the Scientific Technical Committee at the African Union Commission, and subsequent approval by the Executive Committee at the African Union Summit.
•     Initiated the drafting of the first biennial publication of the State of Animal Health in Africa (SAHA), entitled ‘State of Animal Health in Africa: The Strategic Issues in Animal Health Strategy for Africa’. The publications will provide general information and in-depth analyses of selected themes in Animal health in Africa to support decision making for priority actions.

During this meeting the Guiding Group outlined the re-profiling of the veterinary profession on the basis of the provisions of the OIE day 1 Competencies for veterinary and veterinary paraprofessionals and the Core curriculum guidelines. The Guiding Group also started the process of developing the training content for Chief Veterinary Officers (Day100 competencies for Chief Veterinary Officers) which will support newly appointed CVOs with relevant tools to discharge their duties effectively.

The third group on the Directors of Animal Production, which was conceptualised during the workshop focused on validating an Implementation framework for the rollout of the LiDeSA, including the development of guidelines for domestication at Member State level. The network also started the process of reviewing the M&E framework that links directly into the CAADP Score Card, including guidelines to strengthening the inclusion of livestock in the National Agriculture Investment Plans, and development of Criteria guidelines piloting to ten Member States.

The meeting is a follow-up from December 2018 meetings that were held by the CAHP Africa and Guiding Group. The meeting contributes to improved coordination, partnership, and alliance within and across sectors and countries, thus strengthening systemic capacity within the livestock sector. The networks and guiding group will additionally enhance knowledge support and skills development through improved peer learning, and more effective and accountable planning to drive implementation of public policies and investment programs within the framework of LiDeSA and in alignment to the CAADP Framework.