In the fertile fields of Andhra Pradesh, considered to be the Rice bowl of India, where Eshwar Saladi takes pride in his thriving rice paddies, near the eastern bank of Godavari, an unseen threat lurks. Here, streptocycline, a blend of critical antibiotics, is used generously, mirroring a nationwide trend. This practice, while boosting short-term crop health, contributes to a looming crisis: Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in agriculture.
Farmers, unaware of the implications, apply these antibiotics routinely, often without disease symptoms. This misuse leads to antibiotics infiltrating the environment, allowing soil and water microorganisms to develop resistance. This resistance not only challenges treatment effectiveness in humans and animals but also risks lingering in edible plant parts.
The Central Insecticide Board and Registration Committee (CIBRC) recommend streptocycline for specific diseases, yet its application has become widespread and unregulated. In contrast, the European Union restricts such antibiotics, emphasizing integrated pest management.
Research by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) reveals a gap in farmer awareness and regulatory enforcement. This calls for urgent action across multiple sectors: amending laws to reclassify antibiotics used in plants, setting withdrawal periods, and raising awareness among farmers about responsible antibiotic use.
Confronting AMR in plant agriculture is not just a farming challenge; it’s a public health imperative, necessitating a shift in practices and policies to safeguard our food and health.
-Rashmi Kumari
