Advancing Peanut Genomics and Biotechnology: AAGB 2025 Conference
ICRISAT organized the 13th International Conference on Advances in Arachis through Genomics and Biotechnology (AAGB-2025) from 23-25 March 2025 in Goa, India in collaboration with The Peanut Research Foundation, USA
As the second edition following the AAGB conference in 2008, AAGB-2025 served as a vital platform for bringing together a global community of scientists, researchers, and industry experts to explore cutting-edge developments in groundnut (peanut) genomics and biotechnology and the innovations aimed at enhancing crop resilience, productivity, and nutritional quality.
The conference saw participation from over 250 delegates—120 attending in person and 130 joining virtually—from more than 18 countries, including India, China, Israel, Japan, Australia, the USA, Mali, Malawi, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Argentina, Brazil, and Vietnam.
During the inaugural session, Dr Himanshu Pathak, Director General of ICRISAT, gave an overview on ICRISAT's contributions to groundnut improvement and emphasized on strong collaborations to advance research in this area.
“For dryland crops like groundnut, strong partnerships and collaborative efforts are essential to drive meaningful impact at the field level. It is encouraging to witness the active engagement of both national and international partners, including the Peanut Research Foundation, in advancing this critical area of research,” said Dr Pathak.
AAGB-2025 featured a comprehensive scientific program, including three plenary talks and a high-level panel discussion focused on outlining a roadmap for groundnut improvement over the next decade. Dr Manish K. Pandey, Principal Scientist at ICRISAT and Chair of AAGB-2025, extended a warm welcome to all delegates, speakers, and students at the opening of the conference.
The event hosted ten thematic scientific sessions, bringing together leading experts from around the world: Dr Sandip Bera, Director of the Indian Institute of Groundnut Research, India; Dr Sanjeev Gupta, Assistant Director General – Oilseeds & Pulses at the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi; Dr Ravi K. Mathur, Director of the Indian Institute of Oilseed Research, Hyderabad; Mr Ryan Lepicier, President and CEO of the National Peanut Board, USA; Dr Charles Chen, Professor and Dean at Auburn University, USA; Dr Haile Desmae, Principal Scientist at CIMMYT, Senegal; and Dr Boshou Liao, Head of the Oil Crops Research Institute at the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan, China.
Joining virtually, Dr Steve Brown, President, The Peanut Research Foundation, USA and Co-Chair of AAGB-2025 stated “The Peanut Research Foundation is pleased to partner in organizing this conference which serves as the regular platform for sharing recent updates on groundnut genomics and biotechnology leading to develop climate proof varieties.”
In addition to high-level scientific discussions, the three-day conference also featured a dedicated poster session showcasing 26 posters. The conference provided a valuable platform for young researchers and students to present their work and interact with global experts.
As part of nurturing the next generation of scientists in groundnut genomics and biotechnology, Dr Stanford Blade, Deputy Director General – Research and Innovation, ICRISAT, presented awards for five outstanding posters and five exceptional presentations by young researchers during the conference.
Another key highlight of the event was the involvement from industry stakeholders, with exhibitions by organizations such as MARS, DCM Shriram Ltd., Bombay Super Hybrid Seeds, Spinco Biotech Pvt. Ltd., DSS Takara, the South Africa Groundnut Association (SAGA), and Premas Life Sciences, underscoring the strong industry-science partnership in advancing groundnut research.
Dr Boshou Liao, Head of Crop Improvement at the Oil Crops Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Wuhan, China, expressed his appreciation to the organizing committee for facilitating virtual participation. He noted that this inclusive approach enabled the CAAS team to engage meaningfully in the conference, contribute their perspectives, and stay informed about the latest advancements in global groundnut research.
The conference sessions covered a wide array of critical topics, including genebank genomics and pan-genomics, trait mapping and gene discovery, genomics-assisted breeding, food safety, nutrition and quality, functional genomics, genome editing, and other emerging technologies. Discussions also focused on strategies for effectively translating genetic innovations into practical applications in groundnut cropping systems.
This work aligns with SDG 17.
Parkavi Kumar