Punjab launches ADB-funded mission to stop Superbug’s rise on farms.

Ludhiana: Veterinary officers from across Punjab have completed an intensive training programme designed to tackle the escalating global threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and strengthen the state's "One Health" framework.The two-day capacity-building initiative, hosted by the Centre for One Health at Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU), focused on shifting animal health practices away from a heavy reliance on antibiotics. Funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the program aims to bridge the gap between livestock management and human public health.
The ‘One Health' ConnectionThe training highlighted the inseparable link between animal health, human health, and the environment. Experts warned that the indiscriminate use of antibiotics in the livestock sector is a primary driver of resistant pathogens that eventually enter the human food chain.Dr Jasbir Singh Bedi, director of the Centre for One Health, stated that veterinarians are the "first line of defense" for both animals and humans. He urged for the "judicious and responsible" use of antibiotics to prevent the emergence of "superbugs" that could render modern medicine ineffective.Combatting Zoonotic ThreatsA significant portion of the training was dedicated to zoonoses—diseases that jump from animals to humans. Dr Deepali Kalambhe, the organising secretary, briefed participants on critical prevention strategies like early detection (implementing rapid surveillance to catch outbreaks at the farm level), biosecurity (strengthening farm hygiene and movement controls to limit pathogen spread), and awareness (educating farmers on the risks of direct contact and the importance of clean milk production).Strategic Alternatives to AntibioticsTo reduce antibiotic dependency, experts provided a roadmap for sustainable livestock production through scientific farm management:. Vaccination is to reduce the initial incidence of disease to eliminate the need for treatment. Nutrition and welfare will boosting natural immunity through balanced animal diets and stress-reduction. Farm hygiene is for maintaining "clean room" standards in milking and housing areas. Alternatives will be to explore probiotics and herbal supplements as substitutes for growth promoters.A Call for Field-Level ActionDr. JPS Gill, Vice-Chancellor, emphasized that academic knowledge must translate into field-level implementation. "Continuous education and the adoption of scientific practices are our key tools in ensuring sustainable livestock production and protecting public health," he said.