Pictured is Bir Mandal , the head of office for Food and Agriculture Organization ( FAO) in PNG. PICTURE SUPPLIED
By: Gladys Kila
The Agriculture sector is one the key areas highly affected by the antimicrobial resistant miro-organism having a negative impact that include economic loss, decline in livestock production, poverty, hunger and malnutrition.
However, Head of office for FAO PNG, Bir Mandal emphasized that, there are several one health agriculture strategies available to combat antimicrobial resistance and one of the strategies include, proper use of pesticides in crop production.
“In food production, the challenge is how to promote the proper use of pesticides in the sustainable intensification or agriculture minimising the negative effects of pesticides on land, water, farmers, consumers and the environment.
He further added, ARM actions can also help synergise and speed up action against wider drug resistance problems. “The success of these initiatives will depend on good governance, science based, evidence from surveillance and research, effective advocacy and behavioural change programs.
Other strategies include, the FAO Action Plan 2021-2025 developed through a multi-disciplinary process. This plan also acts as a guide to support the current review of Papua New Guinea National AMR action plan.
It will also, guide FAO’s support to PNG to build capacity to minimize and contain AMR in agriculture and livestock sector.
