The World Antimicrobial Resistance Week, which takes place annually from November 18 to 24, is an important occasion to raise awareness about antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and its impact on public health.

This year, for the first time ever, the Enhancing the Management of Antimicrobial Resistance (EMAR) Project has reached out to farmers in Fiji to help them combat antimicrobial resistance on their farms.

The initiative is a collaboration between EMAR, Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways (MOAW), Fiji National University (FNU), Fiji Cooperative Dairy Company Limited (FCDCL), and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO).

This week-long awareness campaign includes both field visits and trainings for livestock farmers, focusing on the responsible use of antimicrobials.

This year’s theme is ‘Handle with Care: Preventing Antimicrobial Resistance – Educate, Advocate, and Act Now," emphasizing the importance of proper antimicrobial usage in agriculture and the need for education and action to prevent resistance from spreading.

Yesterday, a special training session was held in Naitasiri and attended by 35 farmers, focusing on practical knowledge and strategies for managing antimicrobial use on farms to prevent AMR.

This training and awareness effort marks an important step in building capacity among farmers to responsibly handle antimicrobials, which can have a significant impact on both animal health and human health if misused.

Through these initiatives, farmers are learning how to reduce the risk of antimicrobial resistance by following safe and effective practices. 

ENDS

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