In accordance with the National Action Plan to combat Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) , the Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR), with technical and financial support from FAO has forged a network of laboratories from different parts of India to undertake surveillance of AMR in animal health and fisheries sectors. This network has been named as the Indian Network for Fisheries and Animal Antimicrobial Resistance (INFAAR). Currently, the network has 21 members of which 18 are from ICAR institutions and remaining three represent the Universities. 12 of these represent labs in animal health sectors and nine work in fisheries institutes. 

The first meeting of INFAAR was organised at Panjim, Goa, India on 21-22 September 2018. It was attended by all except one member of INFAAR. Dr Jena, DDG (Animal Sciences and Fisheries) in ICAR and Prof RK Singh, Vice Chancellor cum Director of the Indian Veterinary Research Institute  (IVRI) chaired different sessions of the meeting. Mr Brian Holler from USAID mission in New Delhi participated on day 1 of the meeting and, in his address during opening ceremony, appreciated the initiative by ICAR as well as support from FAO.

Several technical and administrative issues were discussed and a time bound work plan has been developed to ensure efficiency and effectiveness of the newly established network. It is likely that surveillance data from this network shall become available for use by end of 2018 onwards

 FAO shall continue to work closely with ICAR, USAID and other partners to support this important national initiative.