Co-Designing and Developing a VetInformatics Analytical Model with Indigenous Knowledge Holders for Livestock Disease Management

This study addresses the exclusion of Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) from digital livestock disease surveillance in Namibia’s communal farming areas, a gap that halts early outbreak response and marginalises local expertise. This research aims to co-design and develop a VetInformatics analytical model that integrates indigenous diagnostic practices with structured clinical data. Using the mixed-methods Design Science Research approach, the study will engage Indigenous knowledge holders in the Muduva Nyangana, George Mukoya, Aminius, and Eiseb conservancies. Data from focus groups and participatory workshops will be used to construct a symptom-disease knowledge graph, forming the base for Graph Neural Networks and Reinforcement learning, trained to enhance diagnostic accuracy. The resulting model will be validated and deployed via a co-designed web application. By combining veterinary science and Indigenous communities, this study aims to create a relevant and effective tool that improves disease management, empowers local stakeholders, and ultimately contributes to the sustainability of rural farming livelihoods in Namibia.