IITA-CGIAR advances analytical skills and innovation in agricultural research

22 November 2024

The need to enhance the analytical capabilities of the CGIAR research community and advance breeding programs to perform key breeding activities, including making crosses, harvesting, and advancing planting materials to spur agricultural advancement, came into sharp focus at the CGIAR Breeding Analytics training held at IITA Ibadan from 28 to 30 October.

The training facilitated by IITA Breeding Data Manager, Simon Imoro , equipped participants - breeders, biometricians, data managers, and students with advanced analytical skills to support CGIAR breeding programs and networks. Participants gained competence in using the Enterprise Breeding System (EBS) and Biometrical Genetics Workflow (BioFlow) platforms, enabling them to optimize breeding processes and enhance program efficiency.

IITA Director of Strategic Planning and Chief of Staff, Ibnou Dieng , emphasized the importance of fostering collaboration among CGIAR breeding centers and programs while strengthening partnerships with National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS). He stressed that these joint efforts are essential for deploying EBS and BioFlow, enhancing germplasm development, and building the capacity needed to advance breeding programs.

Therefore, "adopting these analytical tools is pivotal in driving agricultural innovation and boosting productivity across the sector," he added.

The three-day training underscored the significance of single and multi-trial analysis in modern breeding programs, equipping breeders with essential insights for informed and targeted selection decisions. Using EBS and BioFlow tools, participants were trained to analyze trial data across multiple environments and over a number of years and uncover critical performance patterns. Integrating the selection index further refined decision-making processes, enabling breeders to prioritize traits and identify high-potential varieties with greater precision. This data-driven approach streamlines selection processes, accelerating the development of resilient and high-yielding crop varieties to meet agricultural demands.

The training also emphasized the process of data collection for the EBS platform including;

• Preparing data collection files.

• Uploading traits data files.

• Performing quality checks, and

• Saving to the EBS platform.

Emphasizing the importance of high-quality data integrity during the training, Imoro and IITA-Maize Improvement Program Research Administrative Manager Bunmi Bossey said this is critical to effective breeding programs. Adding that using advanced platforms like EBS and BioFlow would facilitate robust data quality assurance and control processes, enabling breeders to identify and rectify discrepancies before they affect analytical outcomes.

"By incorporating automated validation checks, these platforms ensure cleaner, accurate datasets, providing breeders with a reliable foundation for making informed and impactful decisions", Imoro urged.

Speaking during an interview, Imoro said the training fostered a collaborative environment for participants, enhancing their understanding of advanced analytical tools. He added that as part of IITA-CGIAR's mission, the institute remains committed to investing in capacity development and technical training.

"By strengthening our dedication to excellence and innovation in breeding, we ensure that our teams are equipped with the expertise needed to address future challenges," he stated.

Contributed by Anita Akinyomade

Related news: A leap toward modern data management: IITA cowpea breeding program trains in EBS

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