Agri Genetics Unveils India’s First Private Integrated Center of Excellence for Cattle and Plant Genomics

India’s Agri-Genomics future Takes Root with New Research Centre

Greater Noida, India – A new era in Indian agriculture has begun with the launch of the contry’s first privately-owned Integrated Centre of Excellence for Cattle and Plant Genomics. Established by Leads Agri genetics, a subsidiary of BL Agro, the state-of-the-art laboratory promises to accelerate advancements in agri-genomics and agricultural biotechnology.

A Leap forward for Indian Agriculture

The newly inaugurated center aims to position India at the forefront of global agricultural research and innovation. It boasts a extensive genomics service platform specifically designed for the unique needs of the agricultural sector. This initiative represents a substantial investment in India’s capacity for self-reliant research and development in crucial areas of food security and sustainability.

Importing Genetic Excellence: The Gir Embryo Program

Leads Agri genetics has also pioneered the importation of Gir embryos from Brazil, marking the first such achievement by a private Indian company under the Breed betterment Program. This signifies a commitment to enhancing the genetic potential of Indian livestock through international collaboration and demonstrates a vision for higher productivity and resilience in the agricultural landscape.

Industry Leaders Champion Genomic Advancements

Ghanshyam Khandelwal, Chairman of BL Agro, underscored the importance of genomics studies in bolstering agricultural productivity and overall societal well-being. He emphasized alignment with government initiatives focused on improving farmer welfare and driving sustainable agricultural practices. Navneet Ravikar, Group chairman & Managing Director of leads Connect Services, highlighted the critical juncture Indian agriculture currently faces.

“Sustainability, climate change, and the increasing demand for higher yields are placing significant strain on our farmers’ resources,” Ravikar stated. “This Centre of Excellence is a crucial step towards self-reliance in agricultural biotechnology, empowering researchers, breeders, and farmers with world-class genomic capabilities to create a more resilient and sustainable future.”

Cutting-Edge Technology at the Core

The integrated Centre of Excellence is equipped with a suite of advanced instruments, including Illumina IScan for high-throughput SNP genotyping, NovaSeq for deep resequencing, PacBio and Oxford Nanopore for long-read assembly, and 10X Chromium for linked-read and single-cell assays. This technological infrastructure allows for comprehensive analysis of genetic variations, accelerating the process of crop and livestock improvement.

Dr. ashish Dubey, Chief Business Officer of the laboratory, brings over two decades of experience in genomics projects across agriculture, human health, and diagnostics. His leadership is expected to strengthen the lab’s commitment to advancing genetic diversity research and genomic selection. “Genomics has revolutionized science globally,” Dr. Dubey noted. “At Leads Agri Genetics,we focus on delivering end-to-end genomic solutions that directly improve productivity,sustainability,and food security.”

Key Capabilities at a Glance

Capability	Technology	Submission
Genotyping	Illumina IScan	SNP Analysis
Sequencing	NovaSeq,PacBio,Oxford Nanopore	Genome Assembly,Variant Discovery
Single-Cell Analysis	10X Chromium	Cellular Heterogeneity Studies

Did you know? The field of genomics experienced a paradigm shift after the completion of the Human Genome Project in 2003,leading to breakthroughs in agricultural applications like BT cotton and improved livestock breeds.

Pro Tip: Investing in genomic research is crucial for developing climate-resilient crops and livestock, ensuring food security in a changing world.

These new developments will allow researchers to improve crop yields, enhance livestock productivity, and ultimately contribute to a more sustainable and secure food system for India.

The Expanding Role of Genomics in Agriculture

The application of genomics in agriculture is no longer a futuristic concept but a present-day reality. As the global population continues to grow and climate change intensifies, the need for innovative solutions to enhance food production is paramount. Genomics offers a powerful toolkit for improving crop resilience,nutritional value,and yield,as well as for enhancing animal health and productivity. The continued development of these technologies, coupled with strategic investments in research and infrastructure, will be critical for ensuring a sustainable food future.

According to a recent report by Grand View Research, the global agri-genomics market is projected to reach $17.63 billion by 2030, driven by the increasing demand for genetically improved crops and livestock. This growth highlights the growing recognition of the transformative potential of genomics in agriculture.

Frequently Asked Questions about Agri-Genomics

• What is agri-genomics? Agri-genomics is the application of genomics to improve agricultural productivity, enhance crop quality, and increase livestock efficiency.
• How can genomics help improve crop yields? Genomic analysis allows breeders to identify and select plants with desirable traits, such as increased yield, disease resistance, and drought tolerance.
• What is the role of genomics in livestock improvement? genomics can help identify animals with superior genetic potential for traits like milk production, meat quality, and disease resistance.
• What are the benefits of importing genetic material like the Gir embryos? Introducing new genetic lines can enhance the diversity and productivity of local livestock populations.
• How does the Leads Agri Genetics center contribute to Indian agriculture? The center provides advanced genomic services and expertise to empower researchers, breeders, and farmers in India.
• What are some challenges in implementing agri-genomics? Challenges include the cost of genomic technologies, the need for skilled personnel, and regulatory hurdles.
• What is the future of agri-genomics? The future of agri-genomics is focused on precision breeding, gene editing, and the development of climate-resilient crops and livestock.

What impact do you think this new center will have on Indian farmers? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Don’t forget to share this article with your network to spread awareness about the exciting advancements in Indian agri-genomics!

How does Agri genetics’ Center of Excellence aim to improve milk production in cattle?

Pioneering Genomic Research in Indian Agriculture

Agri Genetics has announced the launch of India’s first private, integrated Center of Excellence dedicated to cattle and plant genomics. This groundbreaking facility represents a meaningful leap forward for agricultural biotechnology in India,promising advancements in livestock breeding,crop advancement,and overall food security. The center aims to leverage cutting-edge genomic technologies to address key challenges faced by Indian farmers and enhance agricultural productivity. This initiative focuses on genomic selection, molecular breeding, and precision agriculture techniques.

Core Capabilities & Technologies

The Center of Excellence is equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure and a team of highly skilled scientists specializing in various disciplines of genomics. Key technologies and capabilities include:

* Whole Genome Sequencing: Enabling complete analysis of the genetic makeup of cattle and plants. This is crucial for identifying beneficial traits and understanding genetic diversity.

* Genotyping-by-Sequencing (GBS): A cost-effective method for large-scale genotyping, facilitating genomic selection programs.

* Marker-Assisted Selection (MAS): Utilizing DNA markers to identify superior individuals for breeding purposes, accelerating genetic gain.

* Gene Editing Technologies (CRISPR-Cas9): Employing precise gene editing tools to introduce desirable traits and improve crop resilience.Note: Application of gene editing will adhere to all regulatory guidelines.

* Phenotyping Platforms: High-throughput phenotyping facilities to accurately measure traits of interest in both cattle and plants. This includes automated data collection for traits like milk yield,growth rate,disease resistance,and yield components.

* Bioinformatics & Data Analytics: Robust bioinformatics infrastructure for analyzing large genomic datasets and extracting meaningful insights. This is essential for translating genomic information into practical breeding strategies.

Focus Areas: cattle Genomics

The cattle genomics division will concentrate on improving the genetic merit of indigenous and crossbred cattle breeds. Specific areas of focus include:

1. Milk Production: identifying genes associated with higher milk yield, fat content, and protein content.
2. Disease Resistance: Developing genomic selection strategies for resistance to common cattle diseases like mastitis,foot-and-mouth disease,and parasitic infections.
3. Heat Tolerance: Enhancing the ability of cattle to withstand high temperatures, crucial for maintaining productivity in a changing climate.
4. Reproductive Efficiency: Improving fertility rates and reducing calving intervals through genomic selection.
5. Breed Improvement Programs: Collaborating with dairy farmers and breed societies to implement effective genomic selection programs.Dairy farming will benefit significantly from these advancements.

Focus Areas: Plant Genomics

The plant genomics division will focus on enhancing the productivity and resilience of key crops grown in India. Key areas of research include:

1. Yield Enhancement: identifying genes responsible for increased yield potential in crops like rice,wheat,maize,and pulses.
2. Abiotic Stress tolerance: Developing varieties tolerant to drought, salinity, and extreme temperatures. This is especially important in the context of climate change and its impact on agriculture.
3. biotic Stress Resistance: Enhancing resistance to major pests and diseases affecting crops.
4. Nutritional Quality: improving the nutritional content of crops, such as increasing vitamin and mineral levels.
5. Hybrid Breeding: utilizing genomic information to develop superior hybrid varieties with enhanced yield and quality. Crop improvement is a central goal.

Benefits for Indian Agriculture

The establishment of this Center of Excellence is expected to deliver numerous benefits to the Indian agricultural sector:

* Increased Productivity: Faster genetic gain in both cattle and crops, leading to higher yields and improved efficiency.

* Enhanced Food Security: Contributing to increased food production and reducing reliance on imports.

* Improved Farmer Income: Providing farmers with access to superior genetics, leading to higher yields and increased profitability.

* Sustainable Agriculture: Developing climate-resilient crops and livestock, promoting sustainable agricultural practices.

* Reduced Input Costs: Developing varieties with improved nutrient use efficiency, reducing the need for fertilizers and other inputs.

* Strengthened Research Capacity: Fostering innovation and building a skilled workforce in agricultural genomics.

Collaboration & Partnerships

Agri Genetics intends to foster strong collaborations with leading agricultural universities,research institutions,and government agencies.This collaborative approach will ensure that the research findings are translated into practical applications and benefit a wider range of stakeholders. Potential partnerships include:

* National Dairy Development Board (NDDB): Collaboration on cattle genomics research and implementation of genomic selection programs in dairy farming.

* Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR): joint research projects on crop genomics and development of climate-resilient varieties.

* State Agricultural Universities: Capacity building programs and technology transfer initiatives.

* Private Seed Companies: Collaboration on the development and commercialization of improved crop varieties.

Real-World Impact: Genomic Selection in Dairy Cattle (Example)

In countries like Israel and the Netherlands, genomic selection has already revolutionized dairy farming. Farmers are now able to select breeding bulls and heifers based on their genomic estimated breeding values (GEBVs), resulting in significant genetic gain in milk production and other economically important traits. Agri Genetics aims to replicate this success in India, tailoring genomic selection strategies to the specific needs of Indian