SOUTHERN PROVINCE HUYE — The Institute of Scientific and Technological Research (IRST) on Monday signed a cooperation agreement with the organisation Vétérinaires Sans Frontières (VSF) Belgium. Jean Baptiste Nduwayezu, the Institute’s Director General signed on behalf of IRST, while Dr Leonidas Mbanzamihigo, signed on behalf of the VSF. Mbanzamihigo is the project manager. At the function, Nduwayezu explained that the cooperation pact would strengthen the already existing ties between the two institutions. Under this pact, the two institutions seek to collaborate in research programmes to improve veterinary service delivery for livestock farmers in the Province. Through collaboration with IRST, the VSF has been able to train traditional vets in the treatment of different animal diseases. IRST has previously conducted research on the different traditional herbs used in the treatment of livestock to determine their toxicity. Also, traditional vets have been mobilised country-wide while a book detailing names of all traditional herbs used in livestock treatment has been compiled. Supported by the Belgian government, through its department of Development Cooperation, VSF through its project PROXIVET operates in the districts of Huye and Nyamagabe. It is expected to extend its services to the districts of Nyaruguru, Gisagara and Nyanza by the year 2011. Ends
