A new survey reveals 90% of South African commercial farmers highly respect veterinarians and believe they play an important role in ensuring food security, but concerns remain for emerging and small-scale farmers who lack access to vets and services.
At least 90% of commercial farmers respect veterinarians, with 88% having a good relationship with them and seeking their advice, found the South African Veterinary Council (SAVC) and Marketing Surveys and Statistical Analysis (MSSA).
The study, funded by the Health and Welfare Sector Education and Training Authority, also discovered that 80% of commercial farmers own livestock. They believe vets play a vital role in ensuring food security and controlling zoonotic diseases that spread between animals and humans.
Although 71% of respondents have easy access to veterinary services in their area, most farmers treat their animals themselves unless it is an emergency.
Of concern, a third of emerging and small-scale farmer respondents do not use veterinary services at all. The survey revealed that veterinary clinics are used by only 25% of this group, with half relying on advice from fellow farmers on how to maintain healthy herds.
Vets are leaving SA
A greater concern for some is an increasing trend of vets leaving the country for career opportunities elsewhere, Food For Mzansi journalist Octavia Spandiel, reports.
In an interview with Spandiel, veteran consultant Justice Masilela explained that while there are opportunities in South Africa, the state of the industry deeply concerns him.
“There is an open market for us globally. We can go anywhere in the world and there will be opportunities for us to explore.
“But right now, a lot of the [vets] are going to the UK and some are going to the US and Canada. They are paid more and being a vet gives you an opportunity to explore the world,” Masilela said.
One such veterinarian is Sihle Mtabele. He left the country to work in the UK.
“I moved to England because I wanted career progression. We were under a bursary scheme [in South Africa] and it didn’t give us jobs, which was supposed to be offered by the department. [But] they said there were no jobs.”
“I love clinical work, so I moved to England,” he explained.
Mtabele said he is likely to return to South Africa but will not practice as veterinarian. “Maybe one day, but I won’t practice. I think [the UK] gives me a lot of flexibility.”
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Not enough awareness
Respondents to the survey also stated that the training opportunities available for would-be veterinarians, currently restricted to Onderstepoort, must be reassessed as affordability and high costs of setting up a practice are barriers to entry for the profession.
The research also revealed that para-veterinary professionals believe that there should be a heightened awareness and visibility of who they are, what they do, the study opportunities available to them, and how they add value to the community.
The survey found that many para-veterinary professionals are eager to be afforded more independence and autonomy in their lines of work, as well as more career and professional growth opportunities.
The survey also revealed that 703 registered veterinarians are aware of the need to provide quality veterinary services in rural areas, and they emphasised that the profession needed a well-defined transformation strategy while maintaining standards.
Study will help industry
Dr Nandipha Ndudane, president of the SAVC, said the study’s findings will help the industry tailor more effective veterinary interventions and services for all farmers. She highlights the importance of managing work-life balance and awareness around mental health issues for veterinarians.
Ndudane explained that through communication campaigns, the SAVC aims to increase awareness of the various para-veterinary professions, such as animal health technicians, veterinary nurses, laboratory animal technologists, veterinary physiotherapists, and veterinary technologists, and the important role they play in society.
The study provides insights into the perceptions of the veterinary and para-veterinary sector among interest groups, with a view to identifying needs, addressing issues, and finding solutions to take the professions into the future.
The survey was conducted between 2020 and 2022 and surveyed 461 commercial farmers, 241 emerging farmers, 274 small-scale farmers, 703 registered veterinarians, and 533 registered para-veterinarians.
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