New online academy seeks to offer farmers and farmworkers greater opportunities

Ellis Mnyandu reports on the launch of a new online academy that seeks to upskill farmers and farmworkers in animal health and agricultural sciences.

- Ellis Mnyandu

Efforts to upskill farmers, their staff, as well as those looking to become agri entrepreneurs, have received a major boost, with the recent launch of an online animal health academy supported by global animal health technology and industry leader MSD Animal Health South Africa.

The launch of the MSD Animal Health Academy took place in Johannesburg last month, and organisers said it signified a major milestone in that the provision of cutting-edge training and tutoring would be available beyond borders, to anyone with an Internet connection.

The academy's offering would be presented wholly online, making it possible for a limitless number of students and farmers across Africa to access the academy's curriculum, Jacques van Rensburg, national training manager for MSD Animal Health in South Africa, said at the launch.

He said the academy would underpin efforts to foster sustainable development across Africa by providing training that would help farmers and other students gain expertise to boost production values, optimise their businesses and advance their careers.