Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is a global issue and a serious threat that needs to be addressed effectively. Think Grain Think Feed connected with three experts—Dr Abhijit Mitra, Animal Husbandry Commissioner, Government of India; Prof. Dr Ajit S. Ranade, Associate Dean, Mumbai Veterinary College; and Dr S.S. Pattabhirama, Chief Nutritionist, Nanda Group—to cover the perspectives of policymakers, academia, and industry on the ongoing issue and the steps being taken to tackle it. Below are the excerpts.
From a policymaker’s point of view, how do you see the problem of AMR and what corrective measures are being implemented?
Dr Mitra: Both the government and the public are increasingly aware of AMR and the associated concerns. Farmers are now more focused on the quality of their produce as consumers demand wholesome food free from residues like pesticides and antibiotics.
To address AMR, many corrective measures are being implemented. Regulatory bodies are enforcing stricter standards to check for these residues in animal-origin products, leading to safer food production. One notable initiative is the introduction of a red stripe on each antibiotic tablet or capsule in the market, indicating it as an antibiotic. This simple measure has made a significant impact by raising awareness.
The government has developed the National Action Plan (NAP) 1.0, outlining steps that individuals, organizations, and multi-sectoral initiatives should take. We are currently revising NAP 1.0 into NAP 2.0. In addition, the National One Health Mission is set to be launched shortly, and a National One Health Institute has also been established. Now, every state has its own One Health committee, and we are working towards establishing district-level committees that extend to the community level. This approach involves guidance from the top and preparedness from the bottom, aligning efforts across all levels.
Could you tell us about some of the policies that have been effectively implemented and those that still need to be enforced?
Dr Mitra: During the lumpy skin disease outbreak in 2022 and 2023, the ministry issued guidelines and a vaccination schedule, promoting alternative ethnoveterinary practices. This initiative was well-received, with 99% of veterinarians adopting the recommended practices. Consequently, there was no increase in antibiotic use, and recovery rates improved significantly.
From a policy perspective, several other measures have also been implemented. We recommended that poultry farmers refrain from using antibiotics as growth promoters, and they responded positively. Additionally, we discouraged the introduction of new antibiotics into the market and halted the use of antibiotics critical for human health in the veterinary sector. We also collaborated with the Ministry of AYUSH to develop a course component for the veterinary curriculum, providing veterinarians with knowledge of non-allopathic treatments, including alternatives to antibiotics.
What is the current status of laboratory infrastructure in the country, and what plans are in place to improve it?
Dr Mitra: There are two types of testing: one focuses on antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which is more research-oriented, and the other targets antimicrobial residues in animal products. The FAO, in collaboration with ICAR, launched a network called INFAAR, comprising nearly 80 institutes with extensive laboratories across India. This network focuses on the aqua and livestock sectors to understand the current status of AMR.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is responsible for antimicrobial residue testing. FSSAI operates well-equipped labs with NABL accreditation, a robust sampling plan, and a vigilant monitoring mechanism. To further enhance laboratory infrastructure, plans are in place to expand and upgrade testing facilities, increase the number of accredited laboratories, and strengthen the sampling and monitoring processes.
What basic steps can we take to overcome the issue of AMR?
Dr Mitra: It is crucial to establish standard treatment guidelines (STG) for diagnosing and treating diseases, including a chapter on ethnoveterinary medicine. We are currently developing these guidelines and aim to release them by September or October. Additionally, we are prioritizing diseases in India and developing case definitions for diseases, which are currently lacking.
What is your advice to veterinarians, nutritionists, or scientists?
Dr Mitra: Firstly, veterinarians should prescribe antibiotics only when absolutely necessary and at the correct dose. It is crucial to adhere to the recommended withdrawal period and know how to properly dispose of unused antibiotics. When visiting and treating animals, veterinarians have an opportunity to educate livestock owners about the dangers of antibiotic misuse and the importance of judicious use.
Lastly, could you please summarize the government’s initiatives to address the issue of AMR?
Dr Mitra: The government’s primary goal is to benchmark antimicrobial use. In a recent meeting with the pharmaceutical industry, the Department of Pharmaceuticals, the CDSCO (Central Drugs Standard Control Organization), and several state governments decided to track the number of antimicrobials produced and sold, though minor discrepancies may occur due to unrecorded sales.
Additionally, we are collecting data from veterinary hospitals and polyclinics on prescribed antimicrobials. Another initiative is the implementation of e-prescriptions in veterinary clinics to better understand prescription patterns. The focus is on collecting comprehensive data, tightening regulations, and raising awareness among veterinarians and animal owners. Incentives for reduced antibiotic use and antibiotic audits at the farm level can also have a significant impact.
Another key initiative is the government’s mass vaccination programs against diseases like FMD, brucellosis, PPR, and CSF. These government-funded vaccinations have drastically reduced the incidence of these diseases and, consequently, the need for antibiotics.
Nevertheless, there is still a long way to go, and every stakeholder, from government officials to individual farmers, must work together to address this issue.
How do you define the issue of antimicrobial resistance from an academic point of
view?
Dr Ranade: AMR is a significant global problem, including in our country. The use of antibiotics in animal agriculture, such as chicken production, is a major contributing factor. However, practices in human medicine also play a significant role. Minimizing antibiotic use is imperative. In the animal industry, antibiotics should be administered judiciously and exclusively for therapeutic purposes, not for prevention.
Given India’s tropical climate, do you believe that antibiotic-free chicken production is achievable?
Dr Ranade: Antibiotic use is mandatory for treatment purposes. However, implementing proper preventive measures, such as biosecurity, flock monitoring, and the use of antibiotic alternatives, can help keep flocks healthy. While antibiotic-free chicken or egg production is achievable, it would be costlier. More field studies are required to evaluate the costs of production and mortality rates associated with antibiotic-free poultry farming.
How do you view the AMR issue in backyard chicken production, and what suggestions would you have for the rural farming community?
Dr Ajit Ranade: Backyard chickens are more disease-resistant due to their free-ranging nature. However, for rural poultry production systems, I recommend that farmers take precautions to minimize antibiotics use. The rearing systems should be improved and taken as close as possible to commercial poultry production standards. Adopting similar biosecurity and preventive measures for diseases in rural poultry production can help minimize problems.
What is the status of antimicrobial-free chicken production in India?
Dr Pattabhi: In India, almost 70-80% of the integrators or producers are operating without antibiotics that are important in human medicine. However, some farmers are still using them. We need to educate farmers, and at Nandu’s, we are already doing this.
What alternatives do you use for antibiotic-free production, and could you please share the economic considerations of both systems?
Dr Pattabhi: We use prebiotics, probiotics, and phytogenic products such as essential oils. We also use acidifiers like sodium butyrate, which help reduce microbial load and improve nutrient absorption. While these measures may be more expensive, they are essential for maintaining health and performance standards. Please refer to table 1 for the
comparative study.
How do you see the concept of minimizing antibiotic use evolving in the future?
Dr Pattabhi: I believe this concept will gain momentum as both consumers and poultry producers recognize its importance. Producing healthy birds without the use of growth promoters or antimicrobial agents is truly beneficial. In the next five years, I am confident that the majority of producers will move away from using antimicrobials. Over-the-counter sales of antibiotics need to be restricted, and they should only be taken as per a prescription.
What efforts is the industry investing in R&D to tackle issues such as AMR?
Dr Pattabhi: Unfortunately, the Indian poultry industry is making noticeable underinvestment in research and development (R&D). Only a few entrepreneurs boast well-equipped laboratories and skilled professionals. This sector would greatly benefit from increased investment in R&D to foster growth and innovation in the industry.
This is part-1 of the coverage and in the coming months, we will come up with perspectives from other experts representing national and international perspectives.
