The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Mohammed Abubakar, has called on Nigerians to stop inappropriate use of Antimicrobials on animal and crop farming and post-harvest for preservation.

He said Nigerians should promote good practices that would limit the emergence and spread of resistant infections globally.

Ms Juliet Okeh, Information Officer, Ministry of Agriculture, said in a statement, that the minister made the call at the inauguration of 2021 World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW) on Thursday in Abuja.

The theme of the 2021 WAAW is “Spread Awareness, Stop Resistance”.

Abubakar said Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) had been considered one of the worst threats to public health in all parts of the world, as it drastically limits the ability to effectively treat common infections in humans and animals.

“It has been projected that by 2050, AMR will account for up to 10 million deaths annually, and about 4 million of these deaths (representing 40 per cent ) are likely to occur in Africa.

“Within the agricultural and food resources sectors, a critical factor that promotes anti-microbial resistance is the slaughter, sale and consumption of animals treated with antimicrobials without observance of withdrawal period.

“The result is the presence of residues in foods of animal origin such as meat, fish, eggs and milk.

“It has also been reported that unregulated application of antibiotics and pesticides on crops during cultivation and post-harvest preservation stages can predispose to residues in these products,” he said.

Abubakar said AMR occurred when the disease agents such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites, no longer respond to the action of antimicrobials which are hitherto susceptible and could also occur naturally due to changes in the organism’s gene over time.

“It is however worsened by inappropriate use of antibiotics such as over-prescription by health workers (human and animal), self-medication, lack of adherence to treatment instructions, poor infection prevention and control in health care facilities,” he said.

Abubakar said other factors that contribute to the emergence of the resistance pathogens include non-compliance with recommended biosecurity practices on the farm and lack of awareness and knowledge on antibiotic resistance among others.

He said farmers should not use antibiotics to promote growth in animals and that antibiotics should be used in food-producing animals when prescribed by a Veterinary professional.

The minister said vaccinations, biosecurity measures and good animal husbandry practices are reliable ways of reducing infections and the need to use antibiotics in livestock.

He also emphasised the need for relevant professionals, especially veterinarians, physicians, humans and animal health workers to use antimicrobial responsibly and prudently.

Abubakar expressed delight at the tremendous milestones being achieved in the implementation of the activities within the five pillars of the National Action Plan (NAP).

“This could not have been possible without the productive collaboration of the tripartite sectors of agriculture, health and the environment and the support of Development Partners such as United State Agency for International Development (USAID).

”Others are World Health Organisation (WHO), Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), UK-AID, Development Alternatives Inc. (DAI), the Fleming Fund and Breakthrough Action,” he said.

Abubakar reassured stakeholders and Development Partners of Nigeria’s continuous commitment to providing enabling environment for the fight against AMR through enactment and implementation of policies, regulations and programmes.

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He said these policies and regulations are aimed at promoting ludicrous antimicrobial use and control of AMR, especially in the agricultural sector (livestock, aquaculture and crop production) and food production.

In his address, the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Ernest Umakhihe, said WAAW is held annually from Nov. 18 to Nov. 24, to create awareness on dangers of antimicrobial resistance caused by abuse of antibiotics.

He was represented by Director, Federal Department of Agriculture (FDA), Mrs. Karima Babagida,

Earlier, stakeholders and development partners had urged the Ministry to intensify awareness efforts to curb spread of AMR in Nigeria.

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They also pledged their support to continue to partner with the ministry in providing training and technical support. (NAN)