The Livestock Data for Decisions (LD4D) community of practice brings together members of the livestock sector to develop data-driven solutions to our most pressing livestock challenges. On International Women's Day 2021 we celebrate three women leading the way!
Header image: Computer code by Markus Spiske on Unsplash
Dr. Maryam Muhammad, Director/Chief Executive, National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, Nigeria
As Director/Chief Executive Officer I play many roles. Among these, I participate and lead national technical working groups on disease prevention and control strategies. Collectively with my team we design and develop research concepts and programs targeted at securing public health and improving livelihoods.
Livestock photo: Muhammed Bukar Umara
Dr Bridgit Muasa, Central Veterinary Laboratories, Directorate of Veterinary Services, Kenya
I head the Virology Laboratory and am currently acting Agricultural head of the Molecular Biology Laboratory at Kenya’s Central Veterinary Laboratories. As the National Veterinary Reference Laboratory in Kenya for all livestock diseases (except for Foot and Mouth Disease), the Central Veterinary Laboratories are responsible for the diagnosis, investigation and laboratory surveillance of endemic, emerging and remerging livestock diseases and quality control of animal products, that have a heavy impact on food nutrition and security, livelihoods and human health.
Livestock photo: C. Pye-Smith (ILRI)
Dr. Ugochi Izuora, Head of Operations, Livestock247
Livestock247 is Nigeria’s first online Livestock Platform that connects livestock buyers, sellers and service providers. Our aim is to mitigate the spread of zoonotic diseases through the provision of traceable and fit-for-slaughter livestock. As Head of Operations, my role involves quality control, sales, and project management.
Livestock photo: Dr Mary Gillham Archive
How I use data to drive better livestock decisions
Photo: S. Mann (ILRI)
We collect data to measure the impact of our vaccines, disease surveillance data and for the monitoring and evaluation of our interventions on livestock productivity.
Photo: S. Mann (ILRI)
As a lab manager, I need to analyse disease risk maps and predictions in order to ensure our labs are able to perform timely testing to support disease control activities. This requires that we anticipate and prepare for disease outbreaks and stock the necessary lab reagents required for testing – many of which need to be imported and have limited shelf life. My team works closely with the Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics Division at the Directorate, who monitor the disease situation in the country.
Photo: S. Kemp (ILRI)
Data helps us develop and modify our business model to fit our target audience and customers. We have also been able to use data to make decisions on the spread of disease and its prevention.
Photo: S. Mann (ILRI)
I’m most proud of… The uptake of the thermostable i2 Vaccine against Newcastle disease in rural poultry. I also hope I can look back and see that I have been able to galvanize and inspire my group of excellent research experts and amiable individuals into achieving more.
My greatest wish related to improving livestock data…is to develop a data management centre where all data relating to our work in NVRI as a foremost veterinary research institute can be easily analysed and accessed.
My advice to my younger self... Be adventurous! The journey can be tough, but it is very rewarding when you reach your goal.
Photo: S. Kemp (ILRI)
I’m most proud of… my team’s rapid response to curb the spread of harmful diseases. We recently had an outbreak of a notifiable zoonotic disease which was of public health concern with some human and animal deaths reported. Although this outbreak occurred outside the expected period, we were able to predict the reagents required for that disease during its inter-epidemic period. This allowed us to test and report the outcome within 72 hours of receipt of the sample and allowed quarantines to be imposed to curb the spread of the disease.
My greatest wish related to improving livestock data… The bulk of livestock in Kenya are kept in arid and semi-arid regions which are often difficult to access. Unfortunately, it is in these areas that most notifiable diseases are detected. I would wish for a better livestock monitoring system that would allow us to detect diseases earlier in these herds.
My advice to my younger self... Be brave and push yourself beyond what you think your limits are!
Photo: G. Smith (ILRI)
I’m most proud of… our work in developing livestock primary health care centers. In my opinion these should be the basis of good and well-organized animal health care everywhere. This also helps us reach the main producers of livestock and interact with them to understand their plight to proffer solutions to the issues that they are facing.
My greatest wish related to improving livestock data… would be to have more women active in the livestock industry. Recently I was at a livestock stakeholder meeting and I was the only female present, I did not like that. I believe data is shaped by the people who collect and analyse it so we need more women involved in this to improve women’s empowerment.
My advice to my younger self… be more daring and take more risks. I think I was quite conservative as a student, so I tried to just be ‘right’. Taking risks helps building confidence in areas outside of your comfort zone.
Photo: S. Mann (ILRI)