Zimbabwe cuts antimicrobial use in poultry farming in major One Health intiative

ZIMBABWE – Zimbabwe has made significant strides in reducing antimicrobial use in its poultry industry through a major One Health initiative, marking a decisive step in the fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

The most recent milestone came in February 2026, when a four‑day national workshop in Kadoma brought together government, producers, academia, civil society and development partners. 

Convened under FAO’s Reduce the Need for Antimicrobials on Farms (RENOFARM) initiative, the meeting co‑designed a roadmap to reduce antimicrobial use in poultry and dairy value chains. 

“Reducing the need for antimicrobials starts with better prevention, better farming practices and better connections across the value chain,” said Mark Obonyo, FAO AMR Coordinator for Southern Africa

The effort, backed by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, the Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MPTF) and the Fleming Fund, aims to combat antimicrobial resistance by equipping farmers with sustainable, biosecure practices that reduce reliance on antibiotics.

Between January 2025 and early 2026, Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development (MLAFWRD) worked with FAO to strengthen biosecurity in poultry systems. This aligns with FAO’s RENOFARM programme and Zimbabwe’s National AMR Action Plan (2024–2028).

Through Farmer Field Schools and structured training in districts such as Beitbridge, Mangwe, Hurungwe and Kariba, poultry producers have adopted improved husbandry practices, cutting routine antibiotic use.

Evidence presented at the workshop indicated concerning levels of resistance in poultry, including ESBL E. coli and Salmonella strains resistant to commonly used drugs. In dairy, antimicrobial residues in milk have led to product rejection and income losses for medium and large‑scale producers. 

To address these risks, participants endorsed 21 priority actions grouped under eight themes: disease prevention, nutrition, stewardship, behaviour change, market incentives, regulation, governance, and capacity building. All were mapped to FAO’s “Farm 5Gs” framework: Good Health Services, Good Production Practices, Good Alternatives, Good Incentives and Good Connections

The project is filling key gaps in Zimbabwe’s livestock sector. Before the intervention, many small and medium-scale poultry farmers lacked structured guidance on disease prevention and often relied on routine antibiotic use. 

Wider African context

Zimbabwe’s progress is part of a broader continental shift toward the One Health model, which recognises the connection among human, animal, and environmental health. 

In Kenya, the German company Miavit has partnered with Vétérinaires Sans Frontières (VSF) to support disadvantaged communities with One Health solutions, with a focus on livestock health and farmer training. 

Across Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania, the ROHOKET project, a regional initiative launched in September 2024 to tackle antimicrobial resistance (AMR),  is strengthening national capacity to implement AMR action plans through surveillance, laboratory support, and farmer education. 

Regional research bodies, including the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), are also supporting antimicrobial resistance surveillance and policy development across East Africa.

Funding for these initiatives comes from diverse sources: the Fleming Fund, MPTF, international research institutes such as ILRI, and national governments. 

The common thread is the One Health approach, which recognises the interconnectedness of human, animal and environmental health. 

As FAO behavioural science expert Anica Buckel noted during the Zimbabwe workshop, 

“Technical solutions alone are not enough. To sustainably reduce antimicrobial use, interventions must address the social, economic and behavioural realities farmers face”

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