On 22^nd June, 2020,Mr Tomio Shichiri, FAO Representative, India inaugurated the USAID-ICAR-FAO Online Training Course on Antibiotics and Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) for the members of the Indian Network for Fisheries and Animal AMR (INFAAR). This two day (June 22-23, 2020) training course was attended by 45 officials of the Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR), Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), and members of INFAAR. Resource persons included experts from the human and veterinary health sector and relevant academic institutions along with representatives from the Andhra Pradesh Department of Animal Husbandry. Mr Shichiri, in his inaugural address, expressed his appreciation for the efforts in forging and operationalizing of an AMR surveillance network for the veterinary sector in India, in accordance with the National Action Plan for AMR.  2017. 

This training course was organized by the FAO at the request of the national authorities to provide comprehensive training on all aspects of antibiotics and AMR to the members INFAAR.

Dr JK Jena, Deputy Director General (DDG) Fisheries, ICAR, Dr BN Tripathy, DDG Animal Sciences ICAR, Dr Praveen Malik, Animal Husbandry Commissioner, Government of India, and Ms Marietou Satin, Deputy Director, Office of Health, USAID/India also participated in this event. 

This two -day training, provided a comprehensive insight into basic and advanced knowledge on the past, present and future of antibiotics, their appropriate use in different settings and various means to combat AMR. 

AMR continues to be high on the national and global agenda and requires multi-sectoral collaborative efforts in a systematic way and sustainable manner. INFAAR plays a pivotal role in this sector in India. It has the potential to act as a model worth replication in other developing countries as well. It is anticipated that this online training will support INFAAR in all it endeavours.