Laboratory-based surveillance is considered one of the cornerstones for Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) management. It provides information for action in support to national and international strategies to tackle AMR. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has developed the FAO-ATLASS in order to support countries in assessing and improving their national AMR surveillance system in the food and agriculture sectors.

FAO-ATLASS aims to collect descriptive data and score the performance of national AMR surveillance-linked activities by mapping laboratory analytical capabilities and networks, and assessing activities on data collection and analysis, governance, communication and sustainability.  

A 5-day meeting was organized by FAO and the Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) to introduce and impart training on FAO ATLASS at the Central Institute of Fishery Technology, ICAR, Kochi (CIFT) and to develop a core of national assessors to undertake assessment of veterinary AMR labs in India and abroad. 

22 scientists almost all of whom are members of the Indian Network for Fishery and Animal Antimicrobial Resistance (INFAAR) attended the training. The training was facilitated by FAO staff from FAO headquarters, FAO Regional Office for Asia-Pacific in Bangkok and independent experts. Dr JK Jaina, DDG (Fisheries and  Animal Sciences), ICAR inaugurated the meeting and Dr Ravishankar, Director CIFT presided over the concluding session.  

FAO shall continue to assist India in enhancing its capacity in various aspects of prevention and containment of AMR.