Cambodia is stepping up efforts to curb antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in livestock production by improving the skills of its feed inspectors. From 3–5 December 2025, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), through its Action to Support the Implementation of Codex AMR Texts (ACT) project, and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) conducted a Training of Trainers (ToT) on good animal nutrition, feed quality, and feed safety in Phnom Penh.

The three-day programme brought together 46 government officials, including feed inspectors, veterinary officers, and representatives from the General Directorate of Animal Health and Production (GDAHP), Fisheries Administration (FiA), General Directorate of Agriculture (GDA), feed producers, and academia. The training aims to strengthen national capacity in feed inspection and promote practices that reduce reliance on antimicrobials in animal production.

Opening the event, Che Savun, Deputy Secretary-General of MAFF, underscored the need for stronger collaboration among government, industry, and technical partners to ensure feed quality, compliance with standards, and better animal health outcomes.

Nou Yutika, Deputy Director General of GDAHP, noted that Cambodia’s 30 feed mills play a critical role in livestock development and highlighted the importance of enforcing feed regulations. FAO Animal Production Officer Daniela Battaglia reminded participants that AMR poses a growing global challenge and stressed that good nutrition and safe, high-quality feed are essential to reducing antimicrobial use on farms.

Participants explored practical topics including:

• Inspecting feed quality and safety for optimal animal nutrition
• Assessing feed manufacturing processes and additives
• Identifying alternative strategies to reduce antimicrobial use
• Strengthening biosecurity measures at feed mills

The ToT forms part of FAO’s ACT project, which supports six countries in Asia and Latin America—including Cambodia—in applying Codex AMR standards through national legislation and practical interventions to reduce foodborne AMR.

The project is funded by the Government of the Republic of Korea through the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety.

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The ACT project
World Antimicrobial Awareness Week
WAAW / Codex AMR texts are the global reference for tackling foodborne antimicrobial resistance