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Pfizer Animal Health and The Resource Foundation announced today the expansion of a comprehensive education and training program to increase the capacity, productivity and quality of life of rural farmers in eight Latin American countries.  Plans call for tailoring the program to the needs of rural communities in India.  The agreement was guided by results of a decade-long collaboration also announced today.

Pfizer Animal Health and the Pfizer Foundation have committed $460,000 in 2011 to this program, which will involve more than 3,000 farmers and their families in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico and Peru as well as 7,250 farmers and their families through the program’s expansion to India’s Madhya Pradesh, Mathura, Orissa, Uttar Pratesh, and Rajasthan states.  

Improving animal health is crucial in rural communities where farming is the economic engine.  For small family farms with only a few animals, the loss of just one animal to disease can threaten the well-being of the entire family.  Through this integrated educational initiative, farmers at the base of the economic pyramid acquire advanced animal husbandry skills while each family member also learns basic personal health and hygiene skills.  To implement the program, Pfizer Animal Health and The Resource Foundation partner with local economic and agricultural development organizations, local universities, and local government agencies.

“A significant reason why small rural livestock farmers do not improve their economic status is that they lack training to efficiently produce, administer and sell their milk, beef, and eggs,” said Marcela Lopez-Macedonio, executive director, The Resource Foundation, which is based in New York.  She said persistent poverty can lead to a cascade of hardships, namely malnutrition and limited, if any, access to basic health services or education.  “Pfizer Animal Health is the natural partner for this collaboration due to the company’s tremendous knowledge base and experience in animal health and the relationship between animal health and human well-being.  Pfizer’s significant Animal Health presence in Latin America and in Asia improves our capacity to transfer best practices from countries such as Chile and Peru to India and bring a positive impact to thousands more farm families.”

“Animal health and human health are closely connected,” said Joyce Lee, area president – Canada and Latin America Region, Pfizer Animal Health.  Lee noted that a safe, nutritious supply of protein from milk, eggs, and meat begins with healthy livestock animals.  Moreover, approximately 70 percent of the diseases known to affect humans are zoonotic, meaning they are transmitted between animals and humans.  “As a world leader in animal health, we believe we have a responsibility to help elevate the capacity of all livestock producers, whether they are subsistence livestock farmers or larger professional livestock producers.  Healthy animals help to improve the health, nutrition and well-being of people in developing communities.  Our collaboration with The Resource Foundation allows us to act on that responsibility, amplify our impact, and demonstrate our commitment as a trusted partner to livestock farmers worldwide.”

Since its inception, the collaboration with The Resource Foundation has benefited more than 13,000 rural, low-income farmers in 100 communities throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.  Learning modern farming practices has had a direct effect on improving the quality of life of more than 50,000 individuals, according to results data from the past 10 years of program collaboration.

Pfizer Animal Health’s collaboration with The Resource Foundation is one element of its global commitment to advance veterinary medicine practice and research, improve animal health, help prevent the spread of emerging zoonotic diseases and, in so doing, help improve human health.  To learn more about Pfizer Animal Health, visit www.animalhealth.pfizer.com.  For more information about The Resource Foundation and its programs, visit www.resourcefnd.org.

About The Resource Foundation

The Resource Foundation is a U.S. nonprofit organization that helps donors support effective, locally-driven development initiatives.  Founded in 1987, The Resource Foundation provides advisory, consulting and grant administration assistance to corporations, individuals and foundations interested in supporting high-impact programs throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.  Donors rely on its experienced, multilingual staff and their knowledge of the region’s nonprofits and programs to safely and securely support projects that make a difference.  Through partnerships, grants, and technical assistance to carefully vetted organizations in 27 countries, The Resource Foundation fulfills its mission to empower the disadvantaged so that they can have the skills, knowledge and opportunities to improve their lives.  For more information about The Resource Foundation, visit www.resourcefnd.org.

About Pfizer Animal Health

Pfizer Animal Health, a business unit of Pfizer Inc., is a world leader in the discovery, development and manufacture of innovative animal health vaccines, medicines, diagnostic, and animal genetic improvement products.  Pfizer Animal Health invests more in research and development than any other animal health company.  We work to assure a safe, sustainable global food supply from healthy beef and dairy cattle, swine, poultry and fish while helping dogs, cats and horses live healthier longer lives.  We strive to be the animal health company that provides full healthcare solutions to veterinarians, livestock producers, and pet owners.  To learn more, visit www.animalhealth.pfizer.com.
 
About Pfizer Foundation

The Pfizer Foundation is a charitable organization established by Pfizer Inc.  Its mission is to promote access to quality health care, to nurture innovation, and to support the community involvement of Pfizer colleagues.  The Pfizer Foundation provides funding and resources to local and international organizations that expand and improve global health strategies.  The Pfizer Foundation does not accept unsolicited requests.