ISLAMABAD: Dr. Aatka Jamil, Senior Scientist at the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council’s National Agricultural Research Centre (PARC/NARC) and JDS Fellow (2019–2021), has successfully implemented a community awareness initiative aimed at reducing food-borne Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) caused by antibiotic residues in animal-derived foods.Supported under the JICA Collaboration Program for JDS Fellows (FY2025), the project focused on raising public awareness about the dangers of antibiotic misuse in livestock and poultry and its impact on human health.
As part of the initiative, awareness seminars were conducted in schools, educating more than 300 students on food safety and the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance. An expert brainstorming session was also held at NARC, Islamabad, bringing together veterinarians, physicians, researchers, and students to discuss strategies for the responsible use of antibiotics.During field visits to livestock farms, milk samples were collected and analyzed using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC).
The analysis revealed that 50 percent of the tested samples contained antibiotic residues, highlighting the urgent need for improved livestock management and food safety practices.The project recommends boiling milk before consumption, ensuring strict compliance with antibiotic withdrawal periods in livestock, and strengthening regulations on antibiotic use. The initiative aims to promote health security, sustainable agriculture, and community awareness while contributing to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
