FAO experts warn food waste could fuel the spread of antimicrobial resistance.(Image credit: FAO)

Food loss and waste may be playing a larger role in the spread of antimicrobial resistance than previously recognised, according to experts from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

Specialists at the agency say discarded food can act as a breeding ground for resistant microbes and genes, and should be included in national and global strategies that monitor and manage antimicrobial resistance.

Their findings are outlined in a new scientific review titled “Risk of antimicrobial resistance spreading via food loss and waste,” published in Infectious Diseases of Poverty. The study was led by four FAO experts, including Junxia Song, a senior animal health officer who now serves as Chief of the One Health and Disease Control Branch at FAO.

“Linking food loss and waste to AMR is both timely and strategic, as it creates an opportunity for coordinated action that reduces waste while strengthening global efforts to contain AMR,” said Junxia.

Antimicrobial resistance is already a growing global threat. The agricultural sector plays a significant part, with animal production responsible for nearly three quarters of antibiotic sales worldwide. Traces of drug residues and resistant genes have been detected in food sold at retail level and during consumption, particularly in meat, but also in vegetables such as carrots, lettuce and tomatoes. As resistance grows, medicines become less effective, contributing to millions of deaths each year.

The review highlights that food waste offers ideal conditions for bacteria to thrive. Research on kitchen waste and refuse from schools and hospitals has revealed high levels of genes resistant to a wide range of antibiotics, sometimes including newer treatments. In some cases, food waste has shown even greater concentrations of resistant genes than sewage sludge or swine manure, both long known to drive the environmental spread of resistance.

Animal based food waste appears to pose the greatest concern, especially fish waste. The authors stress the importance of prompt collection and proper control of discarded food. While composting can be beneficial, it may sometimes increase resistant genes unless carefully managed with full cycle processes and high temperatures. Anaerobic digestion, widely used to produce biogas, may help reduce antimicrobial resistance if the right techniques are applied.

Landfills remain a major destination for food waste. These sites can intensify risks, particularly when mixed with industrial, agricultural and medical waste, or when exposed to animals and water sources.

Thanawat Tiensin,FAO Assistant Director General and Chief Veterinarian, said,“Food is everyone’s business, and safeguarding its safety is a shared responsibility. Reducing the spread of AMR through food loss and waste demands coordinated action across every sector.”

The report calls for more research, especially in low and middle income countries where antimicrobial use is rising. It also highlights FAO initiatives such as InFARM and RENOFARM, which support countries in strengthening surveillance and reducing reliance on antimicrobials through a One Health approach.

Ethiopia strengthens farmers with cold storage facility in Addis Ababa.

Ethiopia has taken another step in strengthening its trade and logistics systems with the opening of a large fruit, vegetable and animal products cold storage facility in Addis Ababa.

The new development reflects the country’s wider push to modernise its trade environment while improving the movement and preservation of agricultural goods.

The facility, developed by the Ethiopian Trading Business Corporation, is located in the Akaki Qaliti Sub City of Addis Ababa. It was officially inaugurated in the presence of Kassahun Gofe, Minister of Trade and Regional Integration, and Adanech Abiebie, Mayor of Addis Ababa, along with other senior government officials.

Speaking during the ceremony, Minister Kassahun said the project forms part of broader reforms aimed at modernising Ethiopia’s trade sector and enhancing supply chain performance. He explained that the government is working to improve storage, distribution and logistics systems to ensure goods move more efficiently from producers to markets.

The cold storage complex has the capacity to handle more than 20,000 quintals of fruit and vegetables at a time, in addition to storing up to 10,000 quintals of animal products. By providing controlled temperature storage, the facility is expected to significantly reduce post harvest losses and maintain consistent product quality. This is particularly important for farmers and traders who depend on stable market conditions.

Built at a cost of around 1.7 billion birr, approximately US$30mn, the project covers over 11,400 square metres. Alongside the storage units, the site includes a ten storey multipurpose building designed to support integrated trade and logistics services.

Minister Kassahun noted that Ethiopia is actively pursuing reforms to strengthen its position in regional and global markets. Current priorities include improving access to essential goods at fair prices, reinforcing market connections, expanding modern logistics infrastructure and promoting a transparent and competitive trade system.

He also highlighted the role of the Ethiopian Trading Business Corporation in supporting exports and contributing to national economic goals. According to the Minister, the corporation will continue aligning its activities with the country’s wider trade reform agenda.

The new facility represents part of Ethiopia’s broader investment in cold chain and logistics capacity, aimed at improving how agricultural produce is handled, stored and delivered to both domestic and international markets.

Tanzania and Al Dahra signed a major agricultural investment partnership. (Image credit: Al Dahra)

The Tanzania Investment and Special Economic Zones Authority has signed a significant Memorandum of Understanding with Al Dahra Group, a global agribusiness firm headquartered in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates.

The agreement sets the stage for exploring large scale agricultural investments in the United Republic of Tanzania, with a strong focus on modern and sustainable farming.

The partnership aims to unlock Tanzania’s vast agricultural potential through commercial farming driven by irrigation. Under the agreement, both parties will collaborate to identify and assess suitable farmland for major projects designed to strengthen the country’s agricultural capacity, stimulate economic growth and enhance national food security.

Al Dahra will bring its international experience in high yield and sustainable crop production. TISEZA will support the process by facilitating land access, providing regulatory guidance and coordinating investment incentives. Together, they intend to build a strong foundation for long term agricultural development.

The initiative also aligns with Al Dahra’s 2030 Vision, which centres on expanding irrigated farming and promoting sustainable crop innovation across its global operations. The company plans to invest up to US$100mn in Tanzania. Initial operations are expected to cover at least 10,000 hectares of farmland, with the possibility of expanding by a further 10,000 hectares as the project grows.

Gilead Teri, Director General of the Tanzania Investment and Special Economic Zones Authority, said, “This MoU underscores Tanzania’s commitment to welcoming investment and providing the necessary enablers for foreign direct investments. This collaboration aligns with Tanzania’s agricultural transformation under the leadership of H.E. Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of the United Republic of Tanzania, which aims to achieve a 10% GDP growth rate in the crop subsector by 2030. This kind of investment creates assured market for millions of smallholder farmers in Tanzania and the region.”

Arnoud van den Berg, Group CEO at Al Dahra, said, “Tanzania offers exceptional agricultural potential, and together with TISEZA, we aim to introduce advanced, sustainable and resilient farming models that support the development of modern farming infrastructure, acquisition of state of the art agricultural technologies, and implementation of smart agritech systems in Tanzania. Our commitment is to invest responsibly, collaborate closely with national institutions, and contribute to Tanzania’s vision for a modern, diversified agricultural sector.”

Kenya implements to safeguard farmers amid drought condition.

Kenya’s response to the deepening drought has moved into urgent action, with the Government expanding food relief efforts while preparing farmers for the coming long rains season.

As dry conditions tighten their grip across several counties, authorities say both immediate survival and future food security are now the priority.

Kithure Kindiki, Deputy President, said, “The government is intensifying distribution of food to millions of Kenyans severely affected by the ongoing drought. I assure the people of Kenya that the government will not spare any resources to make sure we don’t lose human life and mitigate the effects of the drought on livestock and wildlife.”

Speaking after chairing a high level coordination meeting at the Official Residence in Karen, Nairobi, which brought together Cabinet Secretaries, Principal Secretaries and agency heads, Kindiki said the focus is on fast and efficient delivery of relief to the most affected communities.

“Many counties are in need of food for the people and livestock feed. We are tirelessly working on effective last mile delivery of food so it does not take long to reach the people. We are also trucking water to the people and livestock,” he said.

Government figures show that at least 3.3 million people have been affected since January 2026, with counties such as Mandera, Wajir, Garissa, Tana River, Marsabit, Turkana, Kwale, Meru North, Samburu and Isiolo facing crisis conditions.

At the same time, the Ministry of Agriculture has launched the 2026 Long Rains National Fertiliser Subsidy Programme. Agriculture Principal Secretary Paul Kiprono Rono confirmed that fertiliser is being delivered to National Cereals and Produce Board depots using the Standard Gauge Railway to ensure timely and affordable access for farmers.

“We need food to reach our schools so that learners are not disrupted by the ongoing drought situation. We have reviewed and resolved to upscale the ongoing interventions. We have also resolved to diversify the provision of food to take care of special members of society, including children, women and vulnerable members of society,” he stated.

Officials say the combined strategy of emergency relief and farm input support is aimed at stabilising families today while safeguarding the next harvest, as Kenya confronts increasingly uncertain climate patterns.