Almost 1,200 veterinarians, policymakers, animal health professionals, and researchers from around the world have successfully completed FAO’s first Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on Social and behavioural science to address antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in agrifood systems, receiving certificates of completion and FAO elearning Academydigital badges. 

The online course, designed and delivered through the FAO elearning Academy, was developed under the Reduce the Need for Antimicrobials on Farms for Sustainable Agrifood Systems Transformation (RENOFARM) initiative. It aimed to strengthen understanding of how behavioural science can be applied to reduce the need for antimicrobials in livestock. By combining theory with practical frameworks, the MOOC helped participants identifybehavioural drivers of antimicrobial use and design targeted interventions to promote sustainable practices. 

“AMR is not only a biomedical problem, it is also a behavioural challenge. This course gave participants the tools to see beyond technical fixes and understand the human decisions shaping antimicrobial use every day,” said Anica Buckel, Behavioural Science Specialist on AMR at FAO. 

For many learners, the course offered a transformative perspective. “This course helped me realise that to reduce AMR, we must work with the way people actually think and live, not just give health talks or lectures. Behavioural science shows us how stress, habits, beliefs, and local realities shape decisions. It’s not about blaming people, but about designing better support systems, like easier access to affordable vets, or trusted local champions who model good practice,” shared Mr. Abubakar Tanimu Umar, Assistant Chief Regulatory Officer at the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) Nigeria. 

The course reflects FAO’s growing emphasis on multidisciplinary approaches to address AMR, recognizing that technical innovations must be matched with people-centred strategies. Junxia Song, Senior Animal Health Officer and AMR Lead at FAO, emphasized: “We are delighted to see such strong engagement in this course. The high level of participation shows that professionals across the livestock sector are eager to apply behavioural science methods in their work. This is a crucial step toward reducing the need for antimicrobials and protecting both human and animal health.” 

“The overwhelming interest in this MOOC, with almost 6,000 professionals registering, demonstrates how critical the topic of social and behavioural science approaches in AMR is and how eager the global community is to learn about innovative, multidisciplinary approaches to address it,” said Cristina Petracchi, Head of the FAO elearning Academy. “By offering free, multilingual, certified courses online, the FAO elearning Academy ensures that knowledge and competencies are accessible to everyone, everywhere, at any time. This first edition of the MOOC clearly shows the transformative power of open learning to connect professionals worldwide, develop capacity at scale, and drive meaningful change across agrifood systems.” 

By offering the course free of charge through the FAO elearning Academy, FAO is ensuring that knowledge and capacity development opportunities reach a wide, global audience. Participants not only received certificates of completion but alsodigital badges, which can be shared on professional platforms such as LinkedIn, enhancing visibility of their skills and supporting career development. 

To further support behaviour-focused approaches, FAO has also developed a practical manual for integrating social and behavioural science into livestock Farmer Field Schools, offering step-by-step guidance to help turn good practices into consistent on-farm action. 

The success of this first MOOC edition highlights the vital role of behavioural science not only in livestock, but across the wider agrifood systems. By integrating open, multilingual learning opportunities through the FAO elearning Academy, FAO is helping to build a global community of practitioners equipped with the knowledge and tools to drive change. Understanding how people make decisions, whether in farming, food processing, trade, or consumption, will be essential to shaping sustainable practices, reducing the burden of AMR, and building healthier, more resilient food systems for all. 

The MOOC was designed and developed by FAO through the FAO elearning Academy and with support from the Fleming Fund, UK Aid, the United Kingdom’s Department of Health and Social Care, and technical support from the International Centre for Antimicrobial Resistance Solution (ICARS), Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, and the World Health Organization (WHO). 

Related links 

RENOFARM 

FAO elearning Academy