Alabama A&M University has received a $63,000 Cochran Fellowship Grant to provide specialized training for veterinarians and agricultural experts from Bosnia and Herzegovina. Six veterinarians recently participated in the two-week program led by Extension Animal Science Specialist Felix U. Samuel.
The Cochran Fellowship Program, a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) initiative, offers short-term training to professionals from middle-income countries, promoting global trade and development by enhancing agricultural practices.
Bosnia and Herzegovina’s livestock sector faces critical challenges in disease management and livestock health due to:
Limited access to advanced training in veterinary and animal sciences
Inadequate modern diagnostic tools
Gaps in implementing best practices in animal health
These challenges have led to outbreaks of zoonotic and endemic diseases, reduced productivity, and trade restrictions. Addressing these issues required targeted capacity building to equip local veterinarians with modern strategies for improving animal health and disease management systems.
Through the USDA Cochran Fellowship Program, AAMU delivered a tailored training program focusing on these needs. Key outcomes of the program include:
Enhanced knowledge and skills of participating veterinarians
Improved animal health management practices
Strengthened veterinary services in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Better economic and public health outcomes
Increased potential for international trade
This initiative highlights the transformative impact of international collaboration. By addressing urgent animal health challenges and equipping veterinarians with advanced expertise, the program supports long-term improvements in Bosnia and Herzegovina’s veterinary and livestock sectors. Alabama A&M University’s efforts reaffirm its commitment to advancing global agricultural and veterinary practices, fostering mutual benefits for the U.S. and its international partners.
For more, contact Extension Animal Science Specialist Felix Samuel at (256) 372-4983.
