Akzo Nobel’s animal healthcare business, Intervet, has signed an Memorandum of Understanding to exclusively supply veterinary products for a special project in India which could benefit more than two million rural families.

The partnership, with Indian NGO the BAIF Development Research Foundation, involves Intervet India providing products to BAIF, who in turn will make them available to small-scale farmers via their extensive network of Dairy Cattle Breeding Centres (CBC). A number of livestock disease diagnostic centres will also be established, a release stated.

A voluntary organisation established in 1967, BAIF operates more than 1,200 CBCs in nine states, with each centre serving up to 12 villages and 1,500 families. The aim of the collaboration is to offer self-employed farmers in remote villages access to vital veterinary products at a fair price through the existing network of CBCs for the benefit of the rural livestock sector.

“Many of India’s farmers have limited access to quality veterinary products. Improving animal health through this project will help to boost livestock performance and support the livelihoods of farmers who often don not have the means to use this kind of assistance,” said Ruurd Stolp, general manager, Intervet.

The agreement with BAIF will begin with a three-month trial in Gujarat and Karnataka, where around 2,50,000 families will have access to Intervet India’s livestock range, including vaccines and anti-infectives. Once the trial is over in early 2006, an evaluation and fine-tuning will take place. The project will then be extended nationwide to cover all the CBCs, the release added.

Akzo Nobel CEO Hans Wijers said, “This contract, which will make our animal healthcare products more widely available throughout the country will have a positive and sustainable impact for all concerned. Intervet India has established a number of initiatives designed to meet the needs of the local community and the BAIF agreement is a proof of the importance we attach to fulfilling our corporate social responsibility.”

Dr. N.G. Hegde, president, BAIF said, “The aim of this project will be to promote good animal health, low production costs, clean milk and improved fertility. By setting up this partnership with Intervet India, we will also help farmers to create a more sustainable livelihood and ultimately establish a more self-reliant and vibrant rural economy.”

Established as a public charitable trust by Dr. Manibhai Desai, BAIF is headquartered in Pune and employs trained vets at its CBCs, who visit farmers to offer support and animal healthcare assistance.