Rising demand for antibiotic alternatives as FAO study highlights productivity gap

A new FAO-led study warns that global antibiotic use in livestock could rise by nearly 30% by 2040 but finds that improving productivity could cut this use by up to 57%. Amid growing pressure to reduce antimicrobial resistance, the livestock sector is increasingly investing in innovations such as bacteriophage therapies, monoclonal antibodies, precise diagnostics, and eubiotics to boost animal health and reduce antibiotic reliance. Major industry players are shifting towards prevention-led approaches and data-driven management, with initiatives like FAO’s RENOFARM supporting this transition. The study underscores that enhancing productivity is now central not only to economic growth but also to achieving sustainability and AMR reduction targets.