Ananya Nair¹, Arjun Menon² and Sneha Das³
¹College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Kerala, India
²College of Dairy Science and Technology, Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Kerala, India
³Department of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Calicut, Kerala, India
Introduction
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is recognized as one of the greatest threats to global health. The misuse and overuse of antibiotics in livestock production contribute significantly to the emergence of resistant bacteria, which can spread through food, the environment, and direct animal-human contact. The livestock sector therefore faces increasing pressure to reduce antibiotic dependence while maintaining animal health and productivity. Kerala has emerged as a notable example of how dairy cooperatives, veterinary extension services, and ethnoveterinary practices can work together to address this challenge.
The Challenge of Antibiotic Residues in Milk
The presence of antibiotic residues in milk is a major food safety concern. A study conducted in cooperative milk societies in Palakkad, Kerala, found antibiotic residues in 11.67% of pooled raw milk samples, highlighting the need for better antibiotic stewardship in dairy production systems. Such residues can contribute to antimicrobial resistance and may pose risks to consumers if withdrawal periods are not properly observed.
The Cooperative-Led Intervention
To address this issue, dairy cooperatives, veterinarians, and researchers promoted validated ethnoveterinary practices (EVPs) based on herbal formulations for common cattle ailments such as mastitis, diarrhoea, indigestion, repeat breeding, and wound management. Farmers were trained to use low-cost herbal alternatives instead of routine antibiotic treatments whenever appropriate. The approach focused on prevention, early intervention, and responsible use of veterinary medicines.
A landmark study involving 220 dairy farmers from Kerala and neighbouring states evaluated the impact of these interventions. Of the 140 farmers trained in ethnoveterinary practices, 123 farmers (87.86%) produced milk free from detectable antibiotic residues after one year of implementation. In contrast, milk samples from control groups continued to test positive for antibiotic residues. The study also reported improved farmer awareness regarding antimicrobial resistance and safer animal health management practices.
Evidence of Impact
Beyond reducing antibiotic residues, the intervention demonstrated broader benefits. Researchers observed progressive reductions in the incidence of mastitis, enteritis, repeat breeding, and cowpox between 2016 and 2019 among animals managed using ethnoveterinary formulations. Farmers also reported lower healthcare expenditures due to reduced reliance on costly antibiotic treatments. These findings suggest that preventive and herbal approaches can complement modern veterinary care while reducing unnecessary antibiotic use.
Additional evidence from National Dairy Development Board-supported programmes has shown that ethnoveterinary medicine can achieve high recovery rates in dairy animals and substantially reduce antibiotic residues in milk. A five-year evaluation covering more than 181,000 dairy cows reported an 84.9% recovery rate and an 87.9% reduction in antibiotic residues in milk following adoption of these practices.
Lessons for Global Dairy Systems
Kerala’s experience demonstrates that reducing antibiotic dependence does not necessarily require expensive technologies. Strong dairy cooperative networks, farmer training, veterinary support, and scientifically validated traditional knowledge can collectively contribute to improved animal health and safer food production. As countries worldwide seek solutions to combat antimicrobial resistance, the Kerala model provides a practical example of community-based stewardship that aligns animal health, public health, and sustainable agriculture.
Conclusion
The fight against antimicrobial resistance requires innovative approaches that reduce unnecessary antibiotic use without compromising livestock productivity. Kerala’s cooperative-led adoption of ethnoveterinary practices demonstrates how farmer education, traditional knowledge, and institutional support can work together to improve milk safety and animal health. As global concerns over antimicrobial resistance continue to grow, similar models could play an important role in building more sustainable and resilient dairy systems.
References
Nair, B.M.N., Punniamurthy, N. and Kumar, S.K. (2021). Reduction of Antibiotic Residue in Milk Through the Use of Cost Effective Ethno-Veterinary Practices for Cattle Health Management.
Asif, M.H., Latha, C., Menon, K.V., Jolly, D., Nair, S.N. and Sunanda, C. (2020). The occurrence of antibiotic residues in pooled raw cow milk samples of Palakkad, Kerala. Journal of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, 51: 34–39.
Centre for Science and Environment (2022). Ethnoveterinary Medicine and Antimicrobial Resistance in the Dairy Sector.
National Dairy Development Board (NDDB). Ethnoveterinary Medicine Programme Reports.
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