Antimicrobial resistance:
CGIAR research and response to a global problem
Policy
Crops
Fish
Livestock
Plant diseases place substantial constraint on agricultural production in low and middle-income countries. Antimicrobial use to control plant diseases is presently very limited but may increase rapidly in response to the emergence and spread of epidemic diseases such as citrus greening disease.
Crops
CGIAR
Production
Contamination
Human Health
Water
Fish
Aquaculture is an important and growing industry globally, particularly in low and middle-income countries. While antimicrobials are widely used, fish do not metabolize them effectively, and an estimated 75 percent of antimicrobials fed to fish are excreted back in active form into the environment.
Water
Antimicrobials intended for fish are administered directly into the aquatic environment, increasing the potential for contamination and spread. While efficient surveillance is in place I many production systems targeting export markets, it is often absent in fish supply chains for domestic markets in low and middle-income countries.
Livestock
The World Bank estimates that increasing drug resistance could reduce global livestock production by 7.5 percent. Counterfeit drugs, lack of regulations, limited incentives, lack of cost-effective, viable alternatives, and poor knowledge among those involved contribute to the growing problem in this sector. Collaborative research in the OneHealth community can help address these challenges and, in turn, livestock-associated AMR’s impact on human health.
CGIAR
To tackle the growing problem of rising antimicrobial resistance in low- and middle-income countries, the CGIAR Antimicrobial Resistance Hub will help integrate and channel research and development efforts, building on five pillars:
• Knowledge, attitude, practices,
and incentives;
• Transmission dynamics;
• Intervention and incentive systems;
• Evidence-based policy dialogue; and
• Capacity development.
Production
Research and developing new and alternative technologies will be an important part of combating antimicrobial resistance. The private sector will be a key partner in investment, development, and capacity building, bringing in resources and expertise to not only address the health implications of AMR, but to harness the economic opportunities new solutions will present.
Policy
Effective oversight, rules, and regulations will be critical to ensuring antimicrobials are used properly, and for greatest impact. Policymakers can draw upon research and lessons learned in other countries and regions to identify best strategies, incentives, and innovations for implementing these.
Human Health
AMR is a growing and serious threat to public health: according to the Review on Antimicrobial Resistance, 700,000 people die each year of resistant infections. Because of AMR, available drugs have become less effective, illnesses last longer, and health care costs climb. The effectiveness of critical drugs like those used in chemotherapy can be compromised, and AMR is complicating the fight against some of the biggest global diseases, such as TB, malaria, and HIV.
Contamination
According to UNEP, up to 80 percent of consumed antimicrobials are excreted without being metabolized, along with resistant bacteria. Wastewater treatment cannot remove all the contaminants, resulting in contamination of water and sediment near discharge areas and aquaculture.
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