Creation of an Internationally Associated Laboratory GIMIC (Genetic IMprovement of Indian Cattle and buffaloes) between GABI and an Indian NGO, the BAIF.

KEY-WORDS: Indian - ONG - genetic improvement - genomic selection - Bovine - Zébu -Buffaloe

It was a pioneer organization in the introduction of cross-breeding in India using artificial insemination of cows with Bos taurus bulls (Holstein or Jersey), contributing to over 50% of the dairy production of the country.

Despite these programs, there has been little (or no) improvement of the indigenous and buffalo breeds. The development of genomic selection is, however, completely changing this context.

A partnership between GABI and the BAIF began in 2003 and has grown through the Genosouth1 and 2 projects of the SelGen metaprogram.

The LIA GIMIC should allow scaling-up and is based on a much more ambitious project of data analysis, unique in the world, which will establish an efficient genomic selection of pure and cross-bred zebus and even buffaloes. GIMIC involves seven permanent scientists from GABI who belong to the Bovine Genetics and Genomics team and the Population, Statistics and Genome team including three professors from AgroParisTech who will also contribute to the training of BAIF personnel.
The project combines fundamental and applied research to demonstrate that it is possible to develop lasting selection programs for cattle and buffalo in tropical conditions characterized by low-intrant breeding systems and very small herd size.

A review article was published in Frontiers in Genetics using the experience with the BAIF as a case study. This article, co-signed by the members of GIMIC, is a good illustration of what is ahead for the LIA.