The Ministry of National Food Security and Research and the Denmark-based International Centre for Antimicrobial Resistance Solutions signed a Memorandum of Understanding to tackle antimicrobial resistance in Pakistan’s poultry and livestock sectors. Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain participated in the virtual signing ceremony.
ICARS will provide USD 540,855 to fund a three-year research project led by the University of Agriculture Faisalabad in partnership with the Poultry Research Institute, Rawalpindi. Helle Engslund Krarup stated that the partnership would generate scientific evidence on alternatives to antibiotics and help reduce antimicrobial use and resistance in Pakistan’s poultry industry.
The research project will test organic acids as a potential substitute for antibiotics through a randomized controlled trial involving 30 poultry farms. This trial will split the sites into 15 farms receiving the intervention and 15 serving as controls.
The project seeks to reduce antimicrobial treatments by at least 20 percent without compromising productivity while evaluating the economic feasibility of adopting antibiotic alternatives. Rana Tanveer Hussain said antimicrobial resistance poses a serious threat to human and animal health, food security and agricultural productivity.
The minister added that scientific research must deliver practical benefits to farmers and contribute to Pakistan’s National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance.
