Today, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) launched Transformational Strategies for Farm Output Risk Mitigation (TRANSFORM), a five-year, $33 million project, subject to the availability of funds, that will harness private sector-led innovation to address emerging infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance in animal production value chains in Asia and Africa. TRANSFORM will play an important role in USAID’s ongoing global health security efforts by reducing the economic and public health impacts associated with emerging infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance in the animal production industry.
TRANSFORM will be implemented by a consortium led by Cargill that also includes Ausvet, Heifer International, and the International Poultry Council. TRANSFORM will engage global market actors — including those in animal production and marketing systems as well as partner country governments — to develop, test, and scale innovative solutions that sustainably improve animal health, strengthen production systems in animal agriculture value chains, and enhance global health security. TRANSFORM will utilize new approaches to improve safety and livestock production practices on farms; develop and implement globally harmonized, evidence-based antimicrobial stewardship policies across the animal production industry; and establish a comprehensive, market-driven animal health surveillance and data analytics platform to reduce infectious disease and antimicrobial resistance.
TRANSFORM builds upon more than 10 years of USAID investments to reduce the risk of emerging health threats. Since 2009, USAID has invested more than $1.1 billion to strengthen the capacities of partner countries to reduce the risk and impact of emerging infectious disease threats and outbreaks. Cargill and the entire TRANSFORM consortium — with their lengthy experience in the animal health sector, history of innovation, and networks with key public and private sector stakeholders in partner countries — are well-positioned to contribute to a world more safe and secure from infectious disease threats and antimicrobial resistance.
Emerging infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance are amongst today’s defining global health security challenges. USAID understands that human health is inextricably linked with the health of animals and the environment, and TRANSFORM represents a new and innovative way to protect human health by improving policies and practices related to animal production. Livestock production accounts for 40 percent of the global value of agricultural output and supports the livelihoods and food and nutrition security of almost 1.3 billion people. The private sector plays a central role in shaping animal production, and is therefore a key player in generating solutions to these global challenges.
For more on USAID’s work on these issues, please visit the web page on global health security.