By Abdullahi Lukman
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is increasingly threatening global food security, with experts warning that the growing misuse of antibiotics in agriculture could weaken food production systems and drive up the risk of shortages.
The warning comes ahead of the 5th High-Level Global Ministerial Meeting on AMR scheduled to take place in Abuja from June 28 to 30, 2026, where global leaders are expected to address the rising impact of drug resistance on food systems and public health.
Specialists say the overuse of antimicrobials in livestock, aquaculture, and crop production is accelerating the spread of resistant organisms, making it harder to control diseases in animals and reducing productivity.
This, they warn, could translate into lower yields, higher food prices, and increased pressure on already fragile food systems.
Nigeria’s Ministerial Global Envoy on AMR, Dr. Ayoade Alakija, said the crisis must be seen beyond human health, noting that it also affects agriculture, the environment, and livelihoods.
She stressed that unchecked resistance could undermine efforts to ensure stable and sustainable food supplies.
Experts highlighted that in many developing countries, weak regulations and easy access to antibiotics have worsened the situation, allowing resistant bacteria to spread rapidly across farms and communities.
They also pointed to poor investment in preventive measures such as biosecurity, sanitation, veterinary services, and surveillance systems, which are critical to reducing dependence on antimicrobials in food production.
Stakeholders say the Abuja meeting will bring together ministers from health, agriculture, environment, and finance to develop coordinated strategies, with a focus on practical solutions that can be implemented at national and local levels.
The meeting is expected to reinforce the “One Health” approach, which links human, animal, and environmental health, and to push for stronger policies on responsible antimicrobial use in agriculture.
Experts warned that failure to act could deepen food
insecurity, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, where rising production costs and declining output may worsen hunger and malnutrition.
They called for urgent global cooperation, increased funding, and stricter controls on antimicrobial use to safeguard food systems and protect future food security.
