Islamabad: The Ministry of National Food Security and Research (MNFS&R) of Pakistan and the International Centre for Antimicrobial Resistance Solutions (ICARS) from Denmark have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to combat antimicrobial resistance in the country’s poultry and livestock sectors. The collaboration aims to test alternatives to antibiotics on 30 poultry farms over a period of three years, with an investment of USD 540,855.

According to Press Information Department, the virtual signing ceremony was attended by Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain, alongside other ministry officials, ICARS representatives, and researchers. The University of Agriculture Faisalabad, in collaboration with the Poultry Research Institute Rawalpindi, will lead the research project funded by ICARS.

During the ceremony, Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain highlighted the threat posed by antimicrobial resistance to human and animal health, as well as its impact on food security and agricultural productivity. He underscored the importance of responsible antibiotic use and evidence-based interventions for sustainable livestock production. The Minister acknowledged the support of ICARS and the Danish Government in addressing AMR through a collaborative approach.

Helle Engslund Krarup, Executive Director of ICARS, emphasized the project’s goal to generate scientific evidence on antibiotic alternatives and reduce antimicrobial use in the poultry industry. The initiative will involve a randomized controlled trial using organic acids on 30 farms, aiming to reduce antimicrobial treatments by at least 20 percent without affecting productivity.

The project will also explore the economic viability of adopting these alternatives, aiming to support their broader implementation across Pakistan’s poultry sector. Minister Hussain concluded the ceremony by expressing optimism about the partnership’s potential to enhance research capacity, improve antimicrobial stewardship, and foster further collaboration in livestock and poultry development.