Dr. Eric P. Palacpac, Chief of DA-PCC’s Knowledge Management Division, served as one of the invited speakers under the Ruminant Production and Diseases session at the 2023 Federation of Asian Veterinary Associations (FAVA) Congress. The event, which took place from November 3 to 5 was hosted at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia.
The 22nd FAVA Congress was a significant gathering that focused on the remarkable growth occurring in the veterinary sector in Asian region. It offered invaluable opportunities for stakeholders to share knowledge and delve into the latest scientific advancements, methodologies, and technologies. This three-day event brought together over 800 key opinion leaders, industry thought leaders, colleagues, and students from across the region.
Dr. Palacpac’s presentation centered on the challenges and opportunities in managing the health and nutrition of water buffaloes through the use of mobile applications or apps. These mobile apps, developed thru a project between DA-PCC and Grameen Foundation, are called Knowledge, Brokerage, Guidance, and Advisory Network (KBGAN) iHealth and KBGAN iFeed. The project’s overarching objective is to enhance the extension and advisory services rendered by DA-PCC, extension professionals, field technicians, and vet aides, with a primary focus on augmenting dairy buffalo production and management by smallholder carabao farmers.
The KBGAN iHealth app is designed to assist in the diagnosis of health conditions and to recommend treatment options of sick animals while the KBGAN iFeed facilitates least cost feed ration formulation, thereby contributing to the improvement of water buffalo management.
The FAVA Congress 2023 was jointly organized by the Malaysia Veterinary Medical Association (MAVMA) and FAVA and co-hosted by the Department of Veterinary Services Malaysia, Department of Veterinary Services Sarawak, and Sarawak Veterinary Association.
FAVA boasts a membership of 24 countries, including Australia, Afghanistan, Hong Kong, Indonesia, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Tajikistan, Timor Leste, Vietnam, Kyrgyzstan, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, and Associate members from the Asian Society of Conservation Medicine and Wildlife Disease Association Asia Pacific Section, along with affiliate member VNU Asia Pacific.
