Antimicrobial Resistance: A Thread to Sustainable Livestock Production
Kusumandari Indah Prahesti (a,b*), Ratmawati Malaka (b), Muflihanah (c)

*kusumandari.indah[at]gmail.com
(a) Agricultural Science Doctoral Study Program, Hasanuddin University Postgraduate School, Makassar, Indonesia
(b) Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Animal Science, Universitas Hasanuddin, Makassar, Indonesia
(c) Disease Investigation Center, Maros, South Sulawesi, Indonesia

Abstract

Antimicrobials play a significant role to achieve sustainable livestock goals. Antimicrobials contributed to the prevention, control, and treatment of infectious diseases in animal. In Indonesia, antimicrobial drugs are widely used in livestock management system. In addition of disease control, a low-dose (sub therapy-dose) of antimicrobials were used to improve feed efficiency and promoting animal growth. Excessive usage of antimicrobials significantly promoted the antimicrobial resistance cases. The large amounts of antibiotics from animal feces and sludge used as manure caused soil contamination. Furthermore, soil became a medium for spreading antibiotic residues and antibiotic resistance genes to the wider environment which may lead to contamination of the food chain. Antimicrobial resistance became a threat to sustainable livestock systems. The inability of antimicrobial drugs to control infectious diseases in livestock reduced the productivity and reproductive efficiency of livestock, as well as the quality life of farmers. Ultimately, avoiding and/or banning the use of growth-promoting antibiotics, using antibiotic wisely, and focusing on better animal rearing and welfare systems will be critical to reduce the threat of antimicrobial resistance.

Keywords: Antibiotic, antimicrobial resistance, disease control, sustainable livestock production

Topic: Animal Health and Welfare