Blog by: John Huston
Agriculture Project Coordinator – MGVP One Health Program

One part of MGVP’s “One Health” approach—the concept of looking at the health of the entire ecosystem including people, domestic animals, and gorillas to help minimize disease transfer between the different groups— is the segment of domestic animal agriculture. Raising livestock, especially cattle, is an inherent part of the Rwandan culture. These livestock are important sources of meat and milk for the Rwandans, but, like livestock everywhere, they carry infectious zoonotic diseases like brucellosis, leptospirosis, and tuberculosis which can infect people as well as farm animals. Farm animals can serve as a reservoir for certain diseases that can then re-occur within the human population. Add to this scenario the poverty of developing countries where farm animals are often kept in the house at night, where rural people often walk barefoot and increase the exposure rate to animal excretions, and where soap and water are in short supply. Now combine all of this with the close proximity to the Virunga Massif, home to the endangered mountain gorilla, one of the rarest primates on the planet.

A farm-hand milks a cow belonging to MGVP farm partner Justin. 

We are learning more about mountain gorillas each day. Recent improvements in diagnostic capabilities are allowing us to understand what diseases this rare population is susceptible to and what diseases serve as the greatest threat. This disease potential which surrounds such a small and unique ecosystem encourages us to work within the communities that surround the park and attempt to form a ‘halo’ or buffer area of disease protection. We do a variety of programs like community health, rabies vaccination and capacity building with students. One additional program to support this halo is the concept of the model farm.

John Huston assists MGVP farm partner Justice build a cow barn. 

The idea of the model farm is to demonstrate a series of best management practices to improve hygiene, animal welfare, and animal health. These improvements enhance the quality of life for the farm animals which also increases productivity which supports the quality of life for the family. While working with farm families, we utilize the opportunity to discuss and implement many ecologically-friendly practices and to incorporate technological advancements like rainwater catchment systems and alternative fuels (fuel briquettes, bio-gas).

A lamp and stove powered by bio-gas at MGVP partner farm Justin’s house.

We currently have 7 farm families that we work with. All of the improvements that we teach about and assist with are economically feasible for the family which makes the effort sustainable and easily replicated. When neighbors see the application and the positive impact of the work that is being done on the model farm, they are quick to adopt these practices for themselves and the ‘halo’ expands.

John Huston takes a blood sample from a local cow.

We are not the only group to encourage sustainable farm development. There are many well-known organizations doing this type of work here in Rwanda and around the world such as Heifer International. One unique difference between these organizations and MGVP is our relationship with actual families. Many of the larger organizations work with farming associations. That is great for people that are a part of such associations. However, in some areas, like the southwestern corner of Uganda where the communities are extremely poor, it is very difficult to form associations. In this community, our close personal relationship with farm families not only helps to develop model farms, but we are on the verge of forming an association which will allow these farmers to be eligible for a wide variety of international programs.

John Huston stands in a new barn built for farm partner Faustin.

MGVP has had a long presence within the communities surrounding the Virunga Massif. This presence has allowed us to understand the unique challenges for not only the wildlife, but for the people and the domestic animals as well. We are working very hard to protect the mountain gorillas through “One Health” by elevating the ecosystem. Farm families traditionally operate at the subsistence level. Our work is helping to move from subsistence to sustainable with a focus on ecologically friendly practices. By helping the family to have a better life, there are greater opportunities for health care and education, for cash flow and productivity. This work in the agricultural sector is making our job in the forest easier and more successful.

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