Antibiotic misuse in livestock farming: A shared responsibility we can no longer ignore

Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is no longer a distant global issue discussed only in conferences and scientific reports. It is a growing reality that is increasingly affecting both animal and human health, especially in developing countries where antibiotics are often used without proper regulation or supervision.
As someone closely associated with the livestock and animal health sector, I have personally observed how easily antibiotics are accessed and used in the field. In many rural areas, livestock farmers purchase medicines directly from pharmacies or local drug sellers without veterinary consultation. Farmers often rely on personal experience, advice from fellow farmers, or recommendations from medicine retailers when treating their animals.
In poultry, piggery, and dairy farming, antibiotics are sometimes used not only for treatment but also for disease prevention and growth promotion. While this may provide short-term economic benefits, the long-term consequences are becoming increasingly dangerous. The misuse and overuse of antibiotics allow bacteria to gradually develop resistance.
Over time, these medicines lose their effectiveness, making infections harder and more expensive to treat. Resistant bacteria can spread from animals to humans through food products, direct contact, and the environment, creating serious public health risks.
However, the responsibility does not lie with farmers alone. Veterinary doctors play a critical role in ensuring the responsible use of antimicrobials. Veterinarians are not merely prescribers of medicines; they are important guardians of both animal and public health. Coming from a region with limited laboratory facilities, we often tend to start treatment without laboratory confirmation or sensitivity testing, prescribing antibiotics thus, increasing the risk of resistance development which we need to be more mindful of.
At the same time, it is also our responsibility to educate farmers about proper dosage, treatment duration, withdrawal periods, and alternative disease prevention measures. Improving farm hygiene, vaccination coverage, nutrition, and biosecurity can significantly reduce the need for routine antibiotic use.
It is also crucial that pharmacists and medicine sellers recognize their ethical responsibility. The easy availability of antibiotics without prescription continues to fuel irrational usage. Medicines that are critical for saving lives should not be treated as ordinary commercial products.
The fight against antimicrobial resistance requires a strong “One Health” approach involving veterinarians, medical professionals, pharmacists, farmers, policymakers, and the public. Human health, animal health, and environmental health are closely interconnected, and the failure of one sector affects all others.
If immediate and responsible action is not taken, we may enter a future where common infections become difficult or even impossible to treat. Antibiotics are valuable resources that must be protected. Responsible antimicrobial use is not only a professional obligation but also a collective social responsibility. It is important we come together to promote practices that safeguard both livestock productivity and public health for future generations.
Dr Zuchamo Tongoe
Livestock Extension, Animal Health and Welfare Professional
New Delhi