Page 39 - AA 2025 Year Book Summary

Saudi Arabia

Empowering Saudi Arabia’s new generation of livestock

experts in genomic selection for advancing animal breeding

With the national pivot towards modernizing, Saudi
Arabia’s small ruminants’ sector of the livestock industry,
a 12-week intensive course on “Introduction to genomic
selection and animal breeding” was successfully concluded
by the Livestock component of the Strengthening MEWA’s
capacity to implement its Sustainable Rural Agricultural
Development Programme. This initiative was a collaborative
effort under the ongoing Sustainable Rural Agricultural
Development (SRAD) Programme, in collaboration of Food
Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), applications were particularly well received.
Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA),
Reef Saudi together with the National Livestock and Fishery “This course has deepened my understanding of genomic
Development Program’s (NLFDP), aimed at equipping prediction models and their practical applications. It
national livestock scientists and specialists, with cutting- provided a solid foundation in genomic selection, Genomic
edge expertise in genomic selection, genetic evaluation, Best Linear Unbiased Prediction (GBLUP) models and
and modern breeding strategies. integrating genomic data into our breeding strategies,”
said Dr Areej Almuhayya, of National Livestock and Fishery
Building Saudi Arabia’s future livestock experts
Development Program.
The training was delivered by Dr Roy Ken Costilla All participants expressed strong interest in follow-up
Monteagudo, a Statistical Geneticist from New Zealand, training, highlighting the demand for continued capacity
through a combination of in person courses organised building in this field. The four women participants achieved
in Riyadh and online lectures. The cohort included 15 the highest assessment scores, demonstrating exceptional
livestock and bioinformatics participants representing engagement throughout the course.
MEWA, NLFDP, and King Saud University. The curriculum
provided a comprehensive blend of theoretical and practical A model for livestock innovation in Saudi Arabia
exercises on advanced genomic data analysis tools and Empowering a new generation of livestock experts, the
global breeding programmes. Participants gained hands-on SRAD programme is supporting the country’s transition
experience in data-driven breeding strategies, preparing toward data-driven, precision-based livestock management,
them to implement genomic advancements within Saudi improving productivity, genetic diversity, and sustainability.
Arabia’s livestock sector. Pertinent case studies from around This rapid uptake of the advanced genomic course is
the world were included for reinforcing the role of genomic accelerating agrifood system transformation in the livestock
selection in sustainable livestock development sector.
Key topics covered: “Investing in genomic selection training is essential for
1. Genomic selection and genetic evaluation models the future of Saudi Arabia’s livestock industry, enabling
– Optimizing breeding efficiency through advanced our experts to drive innovation, improve productivity and
methodologies. promote sustainable practices,” said NLFDP representative.
2. Population genetics and genomic predictions In future directions, these initiatives can serve as valuable
– Leveraging genetic diversity to enhance breeding tools for strengthening Saudi Arabia’s livestock industry in
programmes. several ways, including:
3. Global case studies – Learning from the successes of ~ Expanding the use of advanced genomic techniques to
genomic selection in New Zealand, Australia, and Europe. optimize national breeding programmes.
4. Big data and livestock breeding – Harnessing genomic ~ Fostering inclusion and gender diversity, given the
data for precision breeding and genetic improvement. exceptional performance of female participants.
Strong impact and enthusiastic feedback ~ Encouraging continued learning, with strong demand
The training left a significant impact, with 80 percent of for follow-up training and capacity-building initiatives
participants rating the course as “Excellent”, recognizing ~ Exploring future innovations, including the integration
its value in advancing Saudi Arabia’s livestock breeding of artificial intelligence (AI) and genomic data analytics in
initiatives. Practical case studies and real-world genomic breeding programs.
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