Expansion of the buffalo agri-system and industry following the One Health approach

Abstract

One Health approach is looking for conceiving health as a consequence of interaction in the interphase of the human/animal/environment complex as an interlinked whole, targeting to change how human beings have traditionally managed health. Lessons learned with the recent Covid 19 pandemic and the silent pandemic of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), among others known as potential pandemics, have put on top the need to change how to tackle health threats. The world is constantly challenged by zoonotic diseases, the emergence of new diseases promoted by human ecosystem invasion, climate change, loss of biodiversity, and the inability of nature to restore exhausted ecosystems due to human activity. The increasing world population demands sufficient, safe, and nutritious food, but food production also needs good practices and fair trade. Otherwise, food can become an essential source of illness, disseminating pathogens and AMR, leading to an unsustainable economy. Links between food and health are currently well recognized. Risk assessment and traceability during food production and distribution are crucial to ensure food safety, security, and sustainability. As growing food  producers and suppliers, Buffalo Agri-systems and industry have the opportunity to positively impact the development of sustainable economic systems. Expansion of buffalo Agri-systems and industry will require to be in line with the six areas of action of the One Health Joint Plan of Action 2022-2026 (OH JPA) through incorporation of good production practices, decreasing ecosystem negative impact and processing and distribution of safe food in agreement with national and international standards and guidelines.