The individuals (11 females and 16 males) passed their final assessment and are now equipped with knowledge and skills to deliver professional animal healthcare and production advice to farming communities in-country. They represent the second batch of paravet graduates in Tonga since 2008.

Organised by the Pacific Community (SPC) through the European Union-funded Safe Agricultural Trade Facilitation through Economic Integration in the Pacific (SAFE Pacific) project, the training was delivered in partnership with the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) Animal Health and Biosecurity Pacific Partnership team, and the Animal Health and Biosecurity Services Ltd.

The training team was in Tonga from 23-27 September for summer school, marking the culmination of the 16-week programme. The summer school included practical and theory revision sessions to prepare for the final examination.

The practical sessions included thorough fieldwork on the safe handling of animals, clinical diagnosis, treatment and sampling of cattle, chickens, pigs, and sheep.

Paravets provide basic animal health care and production advice to farming communities where veterinarians are scarce or absent. As the eyes and ears of veterinarians, they are also trained to care for sick animals.

The successful trainees included extension officers, biosecurity officers, stockmen, and livestock officers from the Tonga Ministry of Agriculture Food and Forest (MAFF) Livestock Division.

Dr Viliami Manu, MAFF Tonga's Chief Executive Officer, stated the training addressed “One of the most critical skills needed at the ministry”, noting that only a few qualified paravets remained from previous cohorts. He added that this new batch would strengthen the Ministry’s capacity to deliver essential paravet services, particularly to the outer islands..