The Potential for Essential Oils in Agriculture

Public outcry for a reformed food system has yielded a flurry of eco-centric terms like “sustainable,” “regenerative,” and “organic” in supermarkets over the years. For consumers, organic-labeled foods are often enough to ease concerns about potential pesticide contamination and animal welfare.

However, the prevalence of antibiotics in livestock agriculture is a forgotten component of food production that has induced the spread of superbugs and other diseases.

The industry is making strides in finding safer methods to improve livestock health, with essential oils proving to be an effective alternative treatment. The current livestock market trend for the use of essential oils and plant extracts is forecasted to increase by 6.78% and reach $3.2 billion by 2027.

Expanding essential oil treatments in the agriculture sector could further enhance food in developing nations, including Africa, where people are enduring chronic hunger and food insecurity. Here is everything you should know about the potential for essential oils in agriculture.

Consequences of Antibiotics in Livestock Agriculture

Animals, like humans, are susceptible to illness, requiring various treatments to prevent infections from spreading. Yet, one might deduce that the use of antibiotics has gotten out of control in livestock agriculture.

In the United States, 41% of domestic antibiotics sold went to cattle in 2019. Another 42% of antibiotics went to pigs, 10% to turkeys, and 3% to chickens.

People’s dietary habits, which often include high meat consumption, are increasingly blamed for fueling antibiotics in agriculture. For instance, Asia has seen a 70% increase in livestock demand since 2000.

Unfortunately, the rising market for healthy livestock at a faster growth rate has led to farming practices in which livestock are raised under poor conditions and left more susceptible to sicknesses.

The implication of over-using antibiotics is antimicrobial resistance, which leads to superbug hotspots on livestock farms worldwide. According to one study, antimicrobial resistance above 50% impacted chickens and pigs the most from 2000 to 2018.

Resistance to medicines also puts humans at risk of livestock-borne illnesses. For example, if an animal shows resistance to treatment, bacteria like Salmonella and Campylobacter can continue growing in their intestines and make humans sick.

Similar to how pesticides can accumulate toxic concentrations in soil and negatively impact plant health, consuming too many animal products treated with antibiotics might also induce antimicrobial resistance in humans.

The widespread use of antibiotics has brought consequences to a food system already combatting dire climate-induced adversaries, such as heat waves, droughts, and pest infestations. Needless to say, a solution is necessary.

Essential Oils Can Promote Healthy Livestock in Africa

Studies have shown essential oils’ effectiveness in enhancing swine and poultry health without additional medicinal treatments. For example, findings suggest that essential oils improve digestion and stimulate immunity in the gut.

Other studies suggest that essential oils promote healthy bacteria in cattle digestive systems and nutrient absorption.

Essential oils derive from natural raw ingredients and lack synthetic elements manufactured in a laboratory. As a non-chemical product, essential oils maintain their antioxidative properties for optimal well-being.

Treating livestock without antibiotics does more than improve animal welfare – it also prevents superbug hotspots and protects human health.

In Africa, supporting livestock with products other than antibiotics is critical for ensuring a stable food system.

Africa’s livestock sector requires grazing and watering sources for animals  – it’s not uncommon for livestock to roam several kilometers daily. Yet, the constant and unregulated movement and interaction between herds promote pathogen transmission and the spread of disease.

Recent reports indicated that 20% of Africa suffers from chronic hunger – equal to 278 million people. Therefore, alternative methods for enhancing livestock health are critical for food security.

Exploring these new techniques and expanding the livestock gut health market can safeguard the global food system in developing countries for years.

Potential for Higher Food Security With Essential Oils

Eliminating antibiotics from agriculture is currently being explored as more producers look toward holistic alternatives instead. Although in its infancy, using essential oils and natural plant extracts has excellent potential for food security where it’s most dire.

Jane is an agriculture and environmental journalist and the founder and editor-in-chief of Environment.co, where she covers sustainability and eco-friendly living