Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global health crisis, making common infections more difficult to treat and threatening lives. AMR occurs when microorganisms (such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites) become resistant to drugs – including antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals and antiparasitics – that were once effective in treating infections . The World Health Organization has identified AMR as a major public health challenge and, although the main focus has been on the inappropriate use of antibiotics in health care, veterinary services and agriculture, The environmental impact of AMR is also a major concern.

India, with a population of 1.4 billion and a vast agricultural landscape, faces a multi-faceted environmental AMR challenge. The scale of agricultural production, as well as the diversity of practices in related sectors, intensifies the risk of antimicrobial resistance in the environment. Antibiotics are commonly used to treat and prevent infections in the livestock and fisheries sectors, but they can also contaminate the environment, contributing to the spread of AMR. Contaminated soil and water allow resistant bacteria to spread from farms to the food supply chain, infecting humans and animals with resistant pathogens. Fish farms that operate in unsanitary conditions further fuel the spread of resistance.

Pharmaceutical pollution adds to the problem, as untreated effluent from pharmaceutical factories contaminates rivers, leading to high levels of antibiotics in the water. Similarly, hospital waste and sewage, which often contain antibiotics and resistant bacteria, pose additional health risks when untreated waste enters the environment. Poor sanitation and waste management systems in densely populated areas facilitate the transfer of resistant bacteria between humans, animals and the environment, worsening the crisis.

The indiscriminate use of antibiotics poses a direct threat not only to human health but also to food safety, as infections among plant, animal and aquaculture species become more difficult to treat, endangering animal health and reducing the productivity. In human health, as bacteria become resistant to common treatments, infections such as pneumonia and urinary tract infections become difficult to treat, leading to prolonged hospital stays and expensive treatments. AMR also threatens medical advancements, impacting treatments such as cancer treatment, organ transplants and surgical procedures, which rely heavily on effective antibiotics. The impact on food production is equally alarming, as antibiotic resistance in livestock and aquaculture could lead to its decline, threatening both nutritional security and livelihoods.

At the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly in September 2024, AMR received special attention with the aim of reducing AMR-related deaths by 10% by 2030. The session also stressed that the fight against AMR requires coordinated action from all sectors of society. India has recognized the importance of tackling AMR through initiatives such as the National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance, developed in line with the WHO Global Action Plan 2015. Additionally, programs such as Swachh Bharat and Mission Amrut focus on improving sanitation and water management to prevent contamination. runoff into bodies of water.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) plays a critical role in helping governments, producers and stakeholders ensure responsible use of antimicrobials. In collaboration with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), FAO recently released the first nationally representative report on AMR surveillance in the livestock and fisheries sectors for the period 2019- 2022. This report provides a crucial baseline for understanding the extent of AMR and will guide future interventions. By fostering shared responsibilities among farmers, prescribers, policy makers and other stakeholders, FAO promotes preventive measures that bring economic benefits and help avoid potential losses caused by AMR as a global health crisis .

The theme for World AMR Awareness Week 2024: “Educate. Lawyer. Act now. » – reminds us that AMR is a critical global health problem with significant public health and economic consequences. Rationalizing the use of antibiotics and prioritizing safer and sustainable practices for disease prevention are essential steps in the fight against AMR. FAO’s commitment to the “Four Betters” (better production, better nutrition, better environment and better lives) not only supports these efforts, but also strengthens our path towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, creating a resilient and healthier future for all.

Takayuki Hagiwara is the FAO Representative in India and part of the United Nations team in India.