The Cochran Fellowship Program is a program of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). This program provides short-term training opportunities for professionals from middle-income countries. The initiative aims to enhance global trade and development by improving agricultural practices.

Alabama A&M University (AAMU) received a $63K Cochran Fellowship Grant to train veterinarians and agricultural experts from Bosnia and Herzegovina. Six veterinarians from Bosnia and Herzegovina participated in the two-week training program led by Extension Animal Science Specialist Felix U. Samuel from November 2-16, 2024.

Pictured from left to right: Sasa Boskovic, Jelena Pavic, Essence Bell, Goran Vuckovac, Felix Samuel, Daivon Allen, Faruk Mulabdic, Vladimir Bulatovic, and Radomir Medojevic

The Problems

Bosnia and Herzegovina, like many nations with developing agricultural sectors, face significant challenges in maintaining livestock health and disease management. These issues stem from the following:

• Limited access to advanced training in veterinary or animal sciences
• Gaps in modern diagnostic tools
• Inconsistent implementation of best practices in animal health

As a result, the country’s livestock industry has struggled with outbreaks of zoonotic and endemic diseases, reduced productivity, and trade restrictions due to health concerns. Addressing these challenges required targeted capacity building to equip local veterinarians with the knowledge and skills to implement advanced animal health strategies and improve disease management systems.

AAMU designed and delivered a specialized animal health and disease management program through the USDA Cochran Fellowship Program. The program addressed the specific needs of the participants and their local agricultural systems.

Key program activities included:

• Classroom instruction on epidemiology and disease surveillance. The fellows underwent training to understand the spread of zoonotic and livestock diseases. The trainees also learned and implemented biosecurity protocols (preventative measures) to reduce disease outbreaks. In addition, they utilized veterinary diagnostic tools to accurately identify diseases.
• Hands-on training. The fellows visited the Thompson Bishop Sparks State Diagnostic Laboratory at Auburn University. This is a level 1 laboratory where they learned diagnostic techniques, such as ELISA tests and PCR for pathogen detection and practical sessions on-field-testing methods. They were also exposed to parasite control strategies, vaccination protocols, and other advanced tools to monitor and control animal diseases at AAMU’s Winfred Thomas Research Station, Aviagen, and the Alabama Regional Laboratory.
• Networking opportunities. The program provided opportunities for fellows to interact with US veterinarians, livestock producers, animal health experts, farmers, producers, industry experts, and animal health researchers. The goal was to foster international collaboration, exchange knowledge exchange, and broaden professional networks.

The training program significantly enhanced the professional expertise of the six veterinarians, delivering measurable benefits for their work and the broader livestock industry in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Global Program Impacts

As a result of the training program the Bosnia and Herzegovina fellows:

• Advanced their knowledge and skills
• Improved animal health management practices
• Strengthened veterinary services in Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Enhanced economic and public health outcomes
• Increased trade potential

The Cochran Fellowship Program exemplifies the transformative power of international collaboration. By equipping veterinarians from Bosnia and Herzegovina with the skills to tackle pressing animal health challenges, this program addressed the immediate needs of the scientists and laid the groundwork for long-term improvements in the region’s veterinary and livestock industries. Through this initiative, AAMU reaffirmed its commitment to advancing global agricultural and veterinary practices, benefiting both the US and its international partners.

Contact Extension Animal Science Specialist Felix Samuel at (256) 372-4983 for more information about this initiative.