The Indian Poultry Equipment Manufacturers’ Association (IPEMA) and Poultry India proudly extended their support to the ‘AMR Stewardship Drive 2025’, organised by ICAR-NIVEDI (National Institute of Veterinary Epidemiology and Disease Informatics) in collaboration with CII-FACE and Indian Federation of Animal Health Companies (INFAH). The event, held at ICAR-NIVEDI, Yelahanka, Bengaluru, focused on “Building Partnerships for Strengthening Our Response to AMR”, and marked a significant milestone in the national effort to combat Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in animal agriculture.
With ICAR-NIVEDI as the Technical Partner and INFAH as the Knowledge Partner, the inaugural session brought together key voices from government, academia, and industry. The dignitaries released the CII Report on “Industry-Led AMR Stewardship in Animal Agriculture”, a landmark publication emphasizing strategic actions to tackle AMR.
During the panel discussion Mr. Uday Singh Bayas, President of IPEMA/Poultry India, highlighted the vital role of Poultry India as a prominent platform for knowledge sharing, industry networking, and driving dialogue on critical issues impacting the poultry sector, such as AMR.
“At Poultry India, we believe in bringing together the veterinary science community, researchers, policymakers, and industry leaders to deliberate on challenges that affect the sustainability of our sector. AMR is a multifaceted issue—affecting food security, trade, and animal health—and it’s only through collaborative platforms like these that we can drive real change,” said Mr. Bayas.
He also showcased the remarkable success of the 16th edition of Poultry India Expo 2024, which drew unprecedented participation from national and international stakeholders, emphasizing its role as a hub of innovation and knowledge. He warmly invited everyone to attend the upcoming 17th edition of Poultry India Expo, scheduled for later this year, promising even more engaging technical sessions, knowledge day seminars, and industry-relevant content aimed at fostering responsible practices.
Key Highlights from the AMR Stewardship Drive 2025
The event underscored the urgent need to:
- Promote responsible antimicrobial use in livestock and aquaculture
- Foster cross-sector partnerships through the One Health approach
- Enhance veterinary oversight and farmer awareness
- Strengthen grassroots diagnostics and surveillance
- Scale innovations in alternative therapies
- Build capacity through continuous skilling and stewardship programs
The inaugural session featured distinguished speakers including:
- Dr. B R Gulati, Director, ICAR-NIVEDI
- Mr. Suresh Chitturi, Chairman, CII Animal Agriculture Committee & MD, Srinivasa Farms
- Dr. Shirish Nigam, President, INFAH & MD, EW Nutrition India
- Prof. (Dr.) P K Shukla, President, Indian Poultry Science Association
- Dr. Sindura Ganapathi, Visiting PSA Fellow, Office of the Principal Scientific Advisor to GoI
Dr. Gulati, in his keynote, emphasized the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration, strengthening surveillance, and aligning with India’s National Action Plan on AMR, driven by key institutions like ICAR-NIVEDI, NCDC, and ICMR.
Mr. Chitturi highlighted the projected 312% rise in veterinary antibiotic usage by 2030 (FAO), warning that unregulated antimicrobial use could lead to disastrous impacts on public health, productivity, and food systems.
Dr. Shirish Nigam elaborated on the AMR Stewardship Drive 2025 as a multi-city national campaign focused on awareness, training, and engagement at the grassroots—targeting veterinarians, para-vets, fisheries professionals, and farmers.
Dr. Sindura Ganapathi urged all stakeholders to adopt sector-specific solutions and integrate stewardship into daily veterinary and farming practices.
Technical Sessions & Youth Engagement
The technical session, moderated by Dr. Mahesh Patlapati, Joint Commissioner and Director, Centre of Excellence for Animal Husbandry (CEAH), featured expert talks on:
- Ethnoveterinary Medicine in AMR Containment – Prof. N. Punniamurthy
- Responsible Antibiotic Use & Recording Practices – Dr. Muralidhar Yegireddy
- AMR Surveillance in Livestock – Dr. Shivasharanappa N, ICAR-NIVEDI
- Industry Preparedness and FSSAI 2024 Amendment – Dr. Amit Sharma, FSSAI
A panel discussion on “Tackling AMR in Animal Agriculture: Industry Perspectives and Practices” was also held, moderated by Dr. Shirish Nigam.
In a creative engagement initiative, a collage-making competition was organised for students and scholars on the theme: “Be Antibiotic Smart: The Future is in Your Hands”.
IPEMA/Poultry India reaffirms its commitment to the AMR cause and continues to serve as a catalyst for innovation, responsible practices, and inclusive dialogue in India’s poultry and animal agriculture sectors.
For more information on upcoming activities and Poultry India Expo 2025, visit: www.poultryindia.co.in