FAO and USAID in collaboration with Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) organized a 2-days Training Workshop on “Management of antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) data using the WHO freely downloadable Windows based software (WHONET5.6)” during 17-18 August, 2018 at the ICAR-National Bureau for Fish Genetic Resources (NBFGR), Lucknow, India. The training was attended by 20 scientists from seven ICAR Fisheries Research Institutes. Almost all the members of the INFAAR from the fisheries sector attended the Training Workshop, which was inaugurated by Dr. K.K. Lal, Director of ICAR-NBFGR.

The training achieved two major objectives: (1) the standard operating procedure (SOP) of AST determination drafted by NBFGR was discussed by the participants who made suggestions for its improvement, and (2) hands-on training on AST data management using freely downloadable WHO software (WHONET5.6). All these objectives shall contribute to efficient operations of INFAAR.

On return to their respective institutions, it is expected that all the participants would start working on AST, train their colleagues on use of WHONET5.6 and generate quality data. In the meanwhile, SOP for AST shall be finalized and shared with all members of INFAAR.

FAO has assured all technical assistance in enhancing national capacity in laboratory based surveillance and full operationalization of INFAAR.