Abstract
<title>Abstract</title> <p> Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global health challenge, with soil ecosystems increasingly recognized as important reservoirs of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and resistance determinants within the One Health framework.This study highlights soil as a reservoir of AMR in Tanzania. From 13 soil samples across six districts, 29 bacterial isolates representing nine genera were identified, mainly <italic>Bacillus</italic> , <italic>Pseudomonas</italic> , and <italic>Enterobacter</italic> . Gram-negative bacteria showed broader resistance than Gram-positive species, with high resistance to β-lactams (especially amoxicillin-clavulanic acid and ceftriaxone) but lower resistance to meropenem and gentamicin. Multidrug resistance occurred in 6.9% of isolates, confined to Gram-negative strains. Resistance patterns varied by site, reflecting community composition rather than geographic hotspots. These findings underscore the role of soil ecosystems in harboring resistant bacteria shaped by natural and human influences, emphasizing the need to integrate environmental surveillance into Tanzania’s One Health AMR monitoring framework. </p>