Project to combat antimicrobial resistance in urban agriculture launched in Yaounde.

The project, titled: “Preventing the Spread of AMR through Wastewater in Urban Agriculture in Cameroon”, is being implemented by the Centre for Research in Infectious Diseases, CRID, and funded by the International Center for Antimicrobial Resistance Solutions, ICARS. 

Its objectives include generating evidence, co-designing effective interventions, and advocating for policies to reduce AMR in the country.

Speaking at the workshop, the Deputy Director of CRID, Prof Flobert Njiokou, explained that antimicrobial resistance is a major global health challenge. 

He added that in countries with low to middle income, such as Cameroon, the widespread practice of irrigating urban farms with untreated wastewater increases the risk of spreading resistant bacteria into the environment. 

The project, Prof Njiokou disclosed, will conduct a cross-sectional study to evaluate the prevalence and types of AMR in wastewater used for irrigation, as well as its potential impact on food safety.

Prof Njiokou further outlined CRID’s role in identifying bacterial species and characterising resistance mechanisms.

“CRID has extensive experience in studying resistance in mosquitoes exposed to insecticides. Some mechanisms are similar, while others are unique to bacteria. Advanced genomic tools will be used to analyse these patterns, and CRID is currently developing a genomic centre to serve the whole of Africa,” he said.

On her part, Technical Adviser No. 3 at the Ministry of Public Health, Dr Florence Zeh Kakanou, representing the minister, said the project will provide data on the effects of wastewater use in urban agriculture. 

She noted that the initiative aims to strengthen the skills of farmers, improve irrigation techniques, and support wastewater treatment practices for crop production. 

She highlighted the connection between wastewater contamination and antibiotic resistance, stating that residues from antibiotics in wastewater can accumulate in vegetables, reducing the effectiveness of medications when consumed.

The project is expected to produce evidence that will inform both public health policies and agricultural practices in urban areas, helping to reduce the spread of antimicrobial resistance and improve food safety across the country.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3575 of Thursday September 25, 2025