India Presents One Health Experience at FAO Conference
Dr Naveena B Maheswarappa took part in Plenary Session 2, titled “Healthy Production Systems for Healthy Soil, Plants, Animals, Ecosystems and People.” The session examined the links between animal health, farming, ecosystems and human well-being, reflecting the One Health approach to agrifood systems.
Maheswarappa described India’s use of One Health principles in livestock development. He highlighted a growing emphasis on preventive animal-health measures and vaccination programmes. The discussion also addressed disease-free production systems, which were presented as part of efforts to improve animal health and productivity and to support access to formal and higher-value markets.
Livestock productivity and genetic improvement were identified as other elements of sector development. The panel discussed combining advances in animal genetics with health management and nutrition. India also highlighted digital livestock systems, which are being used in efforts to strengthen monitoring, management and the provision of services.
The role of public-private partnerships was another focus of the discussion. Cooperation among government bodies, private companies, farmers and other stakeholders can support technology development and adoption, service delivery and connections between producers and markets, according to the conference discussion.
Maheswarappa also addressed the relationship between productivity and sustainability. The discussion referred to the need to balance productivity with environmental and social considerations, innovation with inclusion, and public investment with private-sector participation. The One Health framework treats the health of people, animals, plants and ecosystems as interconnected and calls for coordination across sectors.
South-South cooperation, knowledge exchange and technology transfer were discussed as tools for strengthening food security and resilient agrifood systems. The FAO conference, being held in Rome from September 21 to 23, brings together stakeholders to consider practical ways to integrate One Health principles into food and agricultural systems. Its discussions cover food security, livestock productivity, resilience, sustainability and health challenges.
