National AMR context

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has emerged as the top most public health threat in Bangladesh, affecting both the livestock and environment. Overuse and misuse of antibiotics in clinical settings, agriculture, aquaculture, and livestock production have augmented the emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens. Haphazard and irrational prescribing, self-medication, and over-the-counter antibiotic sales without legal authorization contribute significantly to environmental contamination and resistance development.

Recognizing the AMR burden and environmental risk, Bangladesh developed a National Action Plan (NAP) on AMR (2017–2022) in alignment with the WHO Global Action Plan. The NAP prioritises awareness, surveillance, infection prevention, antibiotic stewardship, and research. In Bangladesh, the IEDCR (Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research) organizes the AMR surveillance programme in human health. And thus, gaps remain in One Health integration, laboratory capacity, and enforcement of regulations on antibiotic use in livestock and aquaculture.

Due to population density, limited research & diagnostic facilities, and haphazard antimicrobial use, Bangladesh faces a high risk of health and economic burdens from AMR in livestock and aquaculture. Strengthening multifaceted collaboration, scaling up stewardship, identifying antimicrobial alternatives, and implementing sustainable One Health interventions are crucial to mitigating AMR in the national context.

Problem

  • Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) and dairying: Overuse, misuse, irrational use of antibiotics in dairying contributes to AMR, but the environmental issues and linkages of AMR with methane emissions remain unexplored in Bangladesh.
  • Methane Emissions from dairy cattle: Enteric fermentation in ruminants is a major source of methane (CH₄), a potent greenhouse gas. Yet, no convincing baseline data on ruminal methane emissions from Bangladeshi dairy farms are reported. This hinders evidence-based mitigation strategies.
  • Lack of climate-resilient farming practices: Dairy farms in developing countries, particularly in Bangladesh, lack sustainable models to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while upholding productivity, aggregate vulnerability to climate transformation.
  • Limited utilization of local resources: Although Bangladesh has marine resources (seaweed), their prospective use in ruminal methane mitigation and cattle health improvement is underutilised.
  • Gap in environmental sustainability integration: Ongoing livestock management practices are yet to adequately integrate AMR, dairying, rumen methane emissions, and environmental sustainability, leaving the fragmented policy and practice.

Project overview

There is a complex relationship between antimicrobial resistance (AMR), methane emissions, and environmental sustainability. But the impact of AMR and methane emissions through dairy farms are yet to be quantified in developing countries like Bangladesh. Global warming and greenhouse gas emissions, especially methane (CH4), demand climate-resilient farming practices. Dairy farms contribute a major part of global agricultural GHG emissions; however, the baseline data in Bangladesh and and sustainable solutions for addressing it, are yet to be defined.

This research project focuses on utilising the probiotic Propionibacteria thoenii for reducing methane emissions in dairy cattle, a significant contributor to greenhouse gases. The study will explore the supplementation of red seaweed (Asparagopsis taxiformis), which contains compounds known to inhibit methanogenesis in the rumen. Probiotic P. thoenii with seaweed supplementation will create a synergistic effect that not only reduces enteric methane emissions but also enhances cattle health and productivity, and contributes to a healthier environment. This innovative approach will leverage local marine resources in Bangladesh, potentially offering a cost-effective and sustainable solution to climate change. The research aligns with global efforts to mitigate environmental impacts of livestock production and promises to contribute to sustainable agriculture and economic development.

Intended outcomes

The project intends a dual strategy to address antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and methane emissions in Bangladeshi dairy farms. Supplementation of symbiotics (red seaweed based – Propionibacterium thoenii) will improve rumen health, reduce methanogenesis, decrease reliance on antibiotics, and enhance cattle productivity. The combined probiotic–seaweed approach offers a synergistic solution that promotes animal health, food safety, climate-smart livestock production, and environmental sustainability.

Expected outcomes include:

  • Quantification of baseline AMR signatures and enteric methane emissions in dairy systems in Bangladesh.
  • Validated reduction in methane emissions through bovine dietary intervention.
  • Improved cattle health and productivity with reduced antimicrobial dependency cum AMR burdens.
  • Development of a cost-effective, locally adapted, and eco-friendly feeding strategy using marine resources that will be an ultimate milestone in the Asia and the Pacific.
  • Evidence-based recommendations for climate-resilient and sustainable dairy farming practices in Bangladesh, supporting national and global methane mitigation goals.