Advancing education reforms in animal genetics and breeding

Bridging innovation with practical application

Abstract

In the recent past, the field of animal genetics and breeding (AGB) has experienced transformative advancements driven by molecular genetics, genomics, bioinformatics, and data-driven selection methodologies. However, current educational frameworks in India have not sufficiently evolved to incorporate these contemporary developments, resulting in a critical gap between academic training and the practical competencies demanded by modern breeding programs. This article advocates the philosophy of Maimonides –Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime–, and proposes a comprehensive framework for the upgradation of AGB education, emphasizing curriculum modernization to integrate advanced genomic and computational tools. There is an urgent need to upgrade AGB education through curriculum reform, integration of genomic and computational tools, experiential learning, and interdisciplinary approaches. It also underscores the importance of collaboration between academia, industry, and policymakers, along with continuous professional development, to build a skilled workforce for sustainable and innovation-driven breeding systems.