Veterinary allocation information system (VAIS)

Abstract

Small-scale farmers have limited access to veterinary services, with the main providers often being paraprofessionals. Inaccessibility of veterinary services results into high rates of animal loss. Veterinary services play a key role in the government's efforts to reduce poverty through agricultural commercialization and animal husbandry. The study adopted a mixed-methods approach that involved applying both qualitative and quantitative methods while collecting information. For quantitative, questionnaires and surveys were employed and for our qualitative, interviews and documentation review were used. We discussed the tools as well as the techniques that we employed as we collected this information. The IVET information system that has been developed allocates farmers to veterinary doctors within their nearest location. This is done by presenting vet doctors offering a specific service (that which is required by the farmer), starting with the one in the nearest approximation. The system has a chat platform, where farmers are able to seek for appointments with the Vet doctors nearest to them. All three users of the system (Farmer, Vet and Administrator) are required to create accounts for them to benefit from the services that the system offers. The Administration dashboard enables the administrator to check that the system is functioning as it was purposed to, that is appointments are being scheduled, completed, or cancelled, the registered Vets are verifiable and farmers are able to report any dissatisfaction with the registered Vet doctors.