CONTEXT

• Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is a growing public health crisis projected to cause 10 million deaths annually by 2050 (from 700,000 in 2014).
• Animal husbandry uses over 50% of global antibiotics, projected to rise by 53% from 2013 to 2030.
• Overuse of antibiotics in livestock (to treat disease and promote growth) creates resistant bacteria, which spread through waste, water, and soil.
• In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), regulation is weak, with banned antibiotics like chloramphenicol, tylosin, oxytetracycline still in use.
• Human exposure to residues from livestock antibiotics increases risk of kidney disease, cancers, and aplastic anaemia.

CONCEPT: INSECT-BASED FEED AS A SUSTAINABLE ALTERNATIVE

 What is Insect-Based Feed?

• Uses insects like black soldier flies, houseflies, crickets, mealworms, etc. as protein-rich feed for livestock and aquaculture.
• These insects are natural food sources for many terrestrial and aquatic animals.

 Benefits Over Traditional Feed

• Highly nutritious – rich in digestible proteins, fats, micronutrients (zinc, calcium, iron, fibre).
• Better protein digestibility than fishmeal and soybean meal:
  • Example: 1 kg fish meal ≈ 0.85 kg black soldier fly larvae (66% protein).
• Eco-friendly:
  • Emits lower GHGs than conventional livestock feed.
  • Requires less land, water, and energy to produce.
• Waste-to-feed potential:
  • Insects can convert organic/agricultural waste into high-value proteins and fats.
• Economical:
  • Lower production cost with better benefit-to-cost ratio.
  • Crickets need 12x less feed than cattle for same protein output.

Role in Combating AMR

• Replaces need for antibiotic-laden feed in livestock.
• Reduces selective pressure on gut bacteria to develop resistance genes.
• Breaks the AMR transmission cycle from animal farms to humans.

CURRENT: INDIAN INITIATIVES & GLOBAL ACCEPTANCE

 Indian Research & Implementation (ICAR)

• ICAR & affiliated centres are actively promoting insect-based feeds.
• March 2023: ICAR-CIBA signed MoU with Ultra Nutri India Pvt. Ltd. to use black soldier fly larvae in aquaculture.
• June 2024: ICAR-CIBA collaborated with Loopworm (Bengaluru) for shrimp and Asian seabass feed.
• January 2025: ICAR-CMFRI signed MoU with Bhairav Renderers (Coimbatore) for further feed development.
• Focus on boosting growth, immunity, and reducing AMR in aquatic animals.

Global Developments

• 40+ countries have approved regulations for insect-based animal feed.
• Supported by UN FAO, which projects a 70% increase in food demand by 2050.
• Considered a climate-smart, circular-economy-based feed solution.

SUMMARY POINTS FOR EXAM

• AMR is worsened by misuse of antibiotics in livestock feed.
• Insect-based feed offers a sustainable, eco-friendly, and health-safe alternative.
• Nutritionally superior and economically viable, especially for LMICs like India.
• Black soldier fly is a key species in India’s push toward sustainable aqua-feed.
• ICAR is actively leading research, partnerships, and field-level testing.
• Systemic adoption can cut GHG emissions, preserve antibiotic effectiveness, and ensure food security.

MAINS QUESTION

1. Evaluate the potential of insect-based feed to combat AMR, highlighting its ability to reduce the need for antibiotic-laden feed and break the AMR transmission cycle.
2. Discuss the current status of insect-based feed research and implementation in India, including the initiatives and partnerships led by ICAR.