Capacity building efforts for rabies diagnosis in resource-limited countries in Sub-Saharan Africa: a case report of the central veterinary laboratory in Benin (Parakou)

Rabies has been listed as a priority zoonotic disease in many African countries and the countdown to reach the goal of eliminating dog-mediated human rabies deaths by 2030 means that disease control measures need to be applied fast. In this context, an essential pillar of any national plan to control rabies is the implementation of reliable diagnostic techniques to ensure the success of field surveillance systems. Although many African countries have received international support for the control of rabies-some countries, like Benin, have not received a similar level of support. Indeed, until 2018, Benin was not able to diagnose rabies and rabies diagnosis in animals as well as humans relied solely on observed clinical symptoms. Although the Central Veterinary Laboratory (CVL) of Parakou had the equipment to implement two recommended tests, the lack of specific reagents and skills prevented the implementation of a rabies diagnostic service. Here we present the joint efforts of the national authorities in Benin, intergovernmental agencies, and non-governmental organizations to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the government's rabies control efforts. We have applied the Stepwise Approach toward Rabies Elimination (SARE) analysis, implemented rabies diagnostic capacities at the CVL of Parakou, characterized strains of rabies virus circulating in Benin, and finally integrated an inter-laboratory comparison program

Efforts de modernisation de l’elevage au centre Songhaï et leurs effets socioeconomiques : cas du centre atagara de la commune de Parakou au Benin

La présente étude est réalisée pour apprécier les essais de modernisation de l’élevage au centre Songhaï et ses effets socioéconomiques dans la commune de Parakou au Bénin. Les recherches menées à l’aide de guide d’observation, de guide d’entretien et de focus group ont permis d’analyser les techniques mises en oeuvre pour la modernisation, l’organisation de la commercialisation, d’évaluer les recettes et apprécier les incidences socioéconomiques des activités menées par le centre Atagara dans la commune de Parakou. Ainsi, la vente des produits issus de l’agriculture, de l’élevage (légumes, légumineuses, fruits, reproducteurs ou géniteurs, oeufs frais, lait de vache, viande, poissons, etc.) et de la transformation agroalimentaire génère une recette moyenne annuelle de l’ordre de 156.700. 000 francs CFA. Le centre participe à la réduction du chômage par le nombre de travailleurs occasionnels ou permanents employés et contribue à limiter l’insécurité alimentaire en offrant aux consommateurs une gamme variée de produits agro-alimentaires. Les recettes contribuent également à la formation des jeunes en entreprenariat agricole. Ces derniers sont installés dans des fermes et bénéficient d’un appui matériel, technique et financier. Mais, certaines difficultés persistent comme celles d’ordre organisationnel, environnemental et sanitaire et de gestion. Il est impérieux d’améliorer le système de production afin d’obtenir de meilleurs résultats et de promouvoir un élevage moderne pour maximiser les impacts positifs d’un tel centre à vocation régionale.Mots clés : Atagara (Centre Songhaï - Bénin), élevage, modernisation, effets socioéconomiques.ABSTRACTThe present study aimed at appreciating the modernization tests of farming at the center of Songhai and its social and economic effects in the commune of Parakou (Benin). The research activities carried out with the help of observation and interview guides and focus group allow us to analyze the techniques used for the modernization, the organization of trade and to assess the takings and appreciate the social and economic impacts of the activities carried out by the Atagara center in Parakou. Thus the sale of the products stemming from farming (vegetables, fruits, eggs milk of cow, meat, fish, etc.) and agroindustry generates a revenue of one 156,700,000 FCFA. Thus the center contributes to reduce unemployment rate by offering temporal and permanent jobs and to solve food insecurity problems by offering a large range of agro food products. The revenue also contributes to train young entrepreneurs in the field of agroindustry. These entrepreneurs established in farms receive material, technical and financial aids. However, some difficulties such as organizational, environmental and sanitary problems persist. Thus it is urgent to improve the production system in order to boost the yield and promote a modern farming to enhance the positive impacts of such a regional vocational center.Keywords: Atagara (Songhaï center-Bénin), farming, modernization, social and economic effects