Pesticide Overuse Creates 'Superbugs' in Farms, Endangering Food Chain & Human Health

• Antibiotic resistance, previously human-centric, now severely impacts agriculture due to excessive and incorrect use of pesticides and antibiotics.
• AMU researcher Shirjeel Ahmed Siddiqui explains this 'resistance' where continuous chemical use makes drugs ineffective against crop diseases.
• Misuse of pesticides not only kills target pests but also beneficial microorganisms, strengthening pathogens and leading to more dangerous future outbreaks.
• Resistant strains in crops can enter the human food chain, exacerbating antibiotic resistance and making human disease treatment difficult.
• Solutions include judicious use of chemicals, following prescribed dosages, avoiding speculative use, and adopting biopesticides/natural methods; expert services are available.

Why It Matters: Excessive pesticide use in agriculture creates drug-resistant pathogens, threatening food security and human health.