Lok Sabha Question No. 2902 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-10
Subject: Antimicrobial use in Agriculture
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Dr. Amar Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2902

ANSWERED ON 10 TH  MARCH, 2026

## ANTIMICROBIAL USE IN AGRICULTURE

2902.  DR. AMAR SINGH: Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ͪष एवं ͩकसान कãयाण मंğी be pleased to state:-

(a)  whether  the  Government  has  examined  growing  national  and  international evidence  indicating  that  widespread  and  poorly  regulated  antimicrobial  use  in agriculture,  livestock  and  aquaculture  is  a  major  driver  of  antimicrobial  resistance, enabling resistant pathogens to move across animals, humans and the environment; (b)   if so, the details of data analyzed by the Government on antimicrobial consumption in  food  production  systems,  regulatory  oversight  failures,  agricultural  practices encouraging routine use, and pathways contributing to resistance gene dissemination in soil, water and food chains; and (c)  the comprehensive 'One Health' strategy proposed to be taken by the Government to enforce antimicrobial stewardship in agriculture, phase out non-therapeutic usage, strengthen  monitoring  of  resistant  organisms  in  livestock  and  food  products  and ensure coordinated action with human health and environmental authorities to address the escalating AMR threat?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## कृ ͪष एवं ͩकसान कãयाण राÏय मंğी (SHRI BHAGIRATH CHOUDHARY)

(a)  &  (b):  No  report  has  been  received  from  any  part  of  the  country  regarding indiscriminate  use  of  antibiotics  in  food  crops  and  aquaculture  leading  to  the development and spread of Anti Microbial Resistance (AMR). However, Ministry of Agriculture  &  Farmers  Welfare,  in  collaboration  with  the  Department  of  Animal Husbandry & Dairying and the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, is undertaking research,  surveillance,  and  capacity  building  to  address  Anti  Microbial  Resistance (AMR)  in  livestock  and  fisheries  sectors.  Further,  Indian  Council  of  Agricultural Research (ICAR) institutes monitor antimicrobial use and resistance patterns in foodproducing  animals,  poultry,  and  aquaculture,  while  promoting  alternatives  such  as vaccines, biosecurity, probiotics, and improved husbandry practices.

ICAR has initiated a Network programme for AMR surveillance in 2019 covering the aspects of livestock and fisheries in the country, named as Indian Network for Fisheries  and  Animal  Antimicrobial  Resistance  (INFAAR),  in  technical  cooperation with Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) involving 20 animal science centres and 11  fishery  centres  across  India  and  ICARNational  Institute of  Biotic  Stress Management contributes to AMR mitigation specifically through:

- (i) Monitoring antimicrobial resistance in plant pathogenic bacteria.
- (ii) Genome-based validation of resistance determinants.
- (iii) Promoting alternatives including biological control agents to reduce antibiotic dependency.

Further,  ICAR-National  Research  Institute  of  Integrated  Pest  Management (NRIIPM) promotes ecologically based Integrated Pest Management (IPM), emphasizing biological control, crop rotation, resistant varieties, habitat management, and mechanical methods. Additionally,  Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, through  its  Central  Integrated  Pest  Management  Centers  (CIPMCs),  Krishi  Vigyan Kendras  (KVKs)  and  State  Agriculture  Departments,  undertakes  various  training programs,  including  Farmers  Field  Schools  (FFS),  two-day  and  five-day  HRD programs, and 30-day Season-Long Training Programs (SLTP), to educate and train farmers, state agriculture extension functionaries, and pesticide dealers on the safe handling practices of pesticides, control the use of off-label pesticides, need-based & judicious use of pesticides and also the use of chemical pesticides as a last resort only.

(c):   Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has launched the comprehensive National Action  Plan  on  Antimicrobial  Resistance  version  2.0  (NAP-AMR  2.0)  in  2025,  an updated national strategy of India to tackle antimicrobial resistance (AMR) covering the period 2025-2029, through a well defined framework and inter-sectoral collaboration including Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal  Husbandry  &  Dairying,  Ministry  of  Science  &  Technology  and  Ministry  of Environment, Forest & Climate Change. The plan follows a 'One Health' approach, targeting AMR across human health, animal health, agriculture, and environmental sectors. Six strategic priorities have been identified under the NAP-AMR: (i) improving awareness and understanding of AMR through effective communication, education, and  training;  (ii)  strengthening  knowledge  and  evidence  through  surveillance;  (iii) reducing the incidence of infection through effective infection prevention and control; (iv) optimizing the use of antimicrobial agents in health, animals,      m and food; (v) promoting  investments  for  AMR  activities,  research,  and  innovations;  and  (vi) strengthening India's leadership on AMR.

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