On 11 November 2024, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in India, in collaboration with the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (FAORAP), organized a private sector engagement workshop on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in the dairy sector at the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), Anand, Gujarat. Organized under the European Union (EU) Tripartite AMR Project, the session aimed to strengthen private sector involvement in addressing AMR challenges in the dairy industry. 

Over 60 participants, including representatives from the private sector, cooperatives, and government organizations, attended the workshop. Discussions covered the economic implications of AMR, existing regulatory measures, and the evolving role of the private sector in combating AMR. Key topics included promoting rational antibiotic use, increasing awareness, and exploring public-private partnerships for collaborative solutions. 

As a significant food safety concern, AMR directly impacts dairy processing. The workshop emphasized the role of dairy processors in mitigating AMR by setting stringent raw milk standards, implementing quality management systems, adopting Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) principles, conducting audits, and monitoring antimicrobial residues at plant gates. 

A visit to the Centre for Advanced Lab Facility, which hosts accredited labs for testing pesticide residues, semen quality, adulterants, and contaminants in various products, including milk, ghee, honey, and processed foods, was also organized.

On 12 November 2024, a field visit to Amul Dairy was undertaken, which offered insights into its homeopathic production plant, manufacturing 21 formulations and addressing 26 common ailments in dairy animals. The use of ethnoveterinary practices (EVP) at Amul has significantly reduced treatment costs, decreased antibiotic usage, and minimized AMR emergence in animals. The visit also highlighted challenges such as educating small-scale farmers on proper practices, including withdrawal periods for milk post-treatment and maintaining hygiene standards. 

The workshop underscored the critical need for collaborative efforts to address AMR and enhance food safety in the dairy sector.