Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 22 November 2025
The ICAR-Central Island Agricultural Research Institute (CIARI) organised an awareness programme at Guptapara Village, South Andaman, on Friday as part of the observance of World Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Week, commemorated globally from 18th to 24th November.
The programme, held under the chairmanship of Dr. Jai Sunder, Director, ICAR-CIARI, aimed at sensitising farmers and stakeholders about the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance and the need for responsible antibiotic use in livestock, aquaculture, and human health. It was convened by Dr. R. Kiruba Sankar, Head, Division of Fisheries, under the All India Network Project in Livestock and Fisheries (Fisheries component).
During the session, Scientist and Course Director Dr. J. Praveenraj, along with Course Coordinator and Scientist Mr. Chittaranjan Raul, educated participants on sustainable alternatives to antibiotics in aquaculture and emphasised the significance of the One Health approach to curb AMR. They highlighted how misuse and overuse of antimicrobials pose serious risks to the environment, animal health, and public health systems.
The programme witnessed participation from around 50 individuals, including farmers, officials from the public health and veterinary departments, and members of self-help groups. To support farmers in adopting healthier practices, CIARI also distributed healthy fish seeds to selected beneficiaries following the awareness session.
The participants expressed positive feedback, acknowledging the importance of such initiatives in preventing antimicrobial resistance and promoting safe and sustainable farming practices.
