Several years ago, when I was working on the issue of drug resistant infections in South Asia, I spent time with poultry and cattle farmers who managed very small farms. They were aware of the new 'recommendations' that asked for a complete discontinuation in using antibiotics in animal feed. Without disputing the science, they had their own questions, however. For them, the use of antibiotics had resulted in growth of their business, and for some, this was the first time they were able to provide adequately for their families. Why should they move to something expensive and with a lower yield, just because someone like me from the outside tells them to do it? For them it was about putting food on the table for their families, not about following abstract guidelines that failed to understand their context or the needs.

The conversations were always polite and pleasant, and it was never about questioning the science, but understanding the lived experiences of people. To me the interviews also demonstrated........

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