Rwanda: drones for animal health in remote areas

Zipline extends its reach to veterinary care

After revolutionizing the delivery of medicines and blood bags to Rwandan health centers, Zipline expanded its field of action in 2022 to include the veterinary sector. Its aim: to facilitate access to healthcare for cattle and pig breeders, who often live in remote areas.

High-precision logistics, supported by artificial intelligence

From its logistics center in Muhanga, Zipline organizes automated deliveries. Around 800 drone flights are carried out every day, 40% of which are dedicated to animal health.
Orders are prepared in the pharmacy, carefully packaged and fitted with parachutes for landing. Thanks to a QR code system andon-board artificial intelligence, the drones are completely autonomous.

“Our drones have to get to site quickly, then return autonomously. It’s precision logistics,” explains Pierre Kayitana, Director of Zipline in Rwanda.

Considerable time savings for breeders

With speeds of over 100 km/h, the drones reach the most remote areas of the country in record time. For example, while a journey from Kigali to Mibirizi takes around 7 to 8 hours by road, a drone from Muhanga can deliver in less than 40 minutes.

Concrete change in the field

Ernestine Muhawenimana, a pig farmer, testifies to the direct benefits:

“Before, we lost time, products arrived too late and inseminations failed. Today, we get what we need, at the right time. Even the breed can be chosen!

Thanks to punctual deliveries, the cold chain is preserved, and the results are felt: fewer losses, more viable piglets, and higher productivity.

Conclusion

The Rwandan example illustrates how technological innovation can transform agriculture and livestock farming. By extending its drone network to animal health, Zipline not only improves the efficiency of veterinarians, but also enhances food security in rural areas. Since 2022, this program is said to have already contributed to the birth of almost 70,000 piglets, proving that cutting-edge technologies can have a tangible impact on everyday life, even in the most isolated regions.