International Workshop on Genetic Improvement of Performance Traits: A Genome-Wide Selection Perspective

28th October 2023, Bhubaneswar

ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture, Kausalyaganga, Bhubaneswar in collaboration with the Association of Aquaculturists has organised an International workshop on “Genetic Improvement of Performance Traits: A Genome-Wide Selection Perspective” today to deliberate on advancement and challenges in the area of genomic tools developed, genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and quantitative trail loci (QTL) identification and implementation of GS in plants, animal and fisheries sector.

Dr. J. K. Jena, Deputy Director General, (Fisheries Science & Animal Science) was the Chief Guest of the workshop. He emphasised the development of genomic resources and integration of genomic selection in aquaculture species. To meet national food security, research in frontier areas like genomics holds immense potential, Dr. Jena called for more collaborative work among the researchers to produce useful products/technologies for the benefit of stakeholders in aquaculture. He briefed about the importance of cutting-edge technologies such as genomics towards enhancing aquaculture production and productivity.

Dr. B. P. Mohanty Assistant Director General, (Inland Fishery) was the Guest of honour. He briefed about the role of Aeromonas hydrophila resistance and Jayanti Rohu in the food production sector in India. Dr. Mohanty emphasised the prospects and challenges of Aquaculture to the food production sector in India.

Dr. Pramoda Kumar Sahoo, Director, ICAR-CIFA, welcomed the dignitaries and briefed about the genomics researches carried out at ICAR-CIFA.

Professor Subha Bhassu, University of Malaya, mentioned the work experiences with   ICAR- CIFA. Professor Bhassu discussed genomic and epigenomic data analysis for the detection of specific variations for better fish health trait selection.

Dr. Victor Martinez Moncado, University of Chile, presented the prospects and challenges of genomic selection in aquaculture species.

Speakers from outside India and from different Institutions within India participated and deliberated on recent advances and challenges in the field of genomics and genomic selection in plant, animal and fisheries.

(Source: ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture, Kausalyaganga, Bhubaneswar)