Nairobi, Kenya
December 2, 2024
CGIAR biometricians convening in Nairobi, Kenya, to adjust CGIAR’s Breeding Analytics Pipeline and define priorities for 2025. Credits: CGIAR/Breeding Resources Initiative. “Crops to End Hunger (CtEH)” is a multi-funder initiative that aims to accelerate and modernize the development, delivery and wide-scale use of new crop varieties that are better adapted to climate change and that address gender equity, nutrition, food security and poverty. We extend our heartfelt appreciation to all the generous supporters of this initiative, with special recognition to GIZ. We also express our gratitude to the CGIAR research funders for their invaluable contributions to the CGIAR Trust Fund.
Building on the momentum of February’s inaugural hackathon, a team of biometricians and quantitative genetics experts from CGIAR Centers gathered this month for a week-long hackathon focused on advancing Bioflow, CGIAR Breeding Analytics Pipeline, and setting priorities for 2025.
Launched in the second quarter of 2024, the Breeding Analytics Pipeline is a game-changing tool designed to optimize decision-making in breeding operations. It works by integrating data from diverse databases and performing advanced analyses, freeing up valuable time and empowering breeders with precise insights.
The pipeline features a suite of modular tools, each addressing specific analytical needs critical to crop breeding, while enhancing operational efficiency and reporting accuracy.
Highlights from the hackathon
This month’s hackathon marked a milestone in the pipeline’s development funded by GIZ through Crops to End Hunger, fostering collaboration across the CGIAR Centers contributing to the development of the tool.
Team onboarding and cross-Center collaboration
The hackathon welcomed new Breeding Analytics team members, immersing them in the coding structure and standards of Bioflow’s framework. Existing modules were reviewed to provide a clear understanding of the pipeline’s progress and opportunities for improvement. The hackathon also strengthened the network of current and future developers across CGIAR Centers, fostering a collaborative spirit.
Strategic planning – what to expect from Bioflow in 2025
The team identified gaps in the current Bioflow framework and outlined new modules for development or improvement (e.g., additional REML engines for multi-trial analysis, data visualization, etc.). Methodologies for some modules were also discussed and refined. Priorities were set for tasks such as user support, capacity building, and pipeline documentation. Clear deadlines and responsibilities were assigned to ensure progress remains on track.
Governance framework for Bioflow
To promote shared ownership and accountability, CGIAR Centers appointed code administrators tasked with approving new contributions to the code repository. Additionally, every module was assigned a dedicated lead responsible for maintenance and future development. This governance model encourages involvement across Centers and ensures the pipeline’s long-term sustainability.
The Nairobi hackathon underscored the Breeding Analytics Pipeline’s potential to transform CGIAR’s breeding efforts. By streamlining data analysis and fostering collaboration across Centers, the pipeline will play a key role in supporting crop breeding and ultimately addressing global food security challenges.
For more updates on the Breeding Analytics Pipeline and CGIAR’s efforts in modernizing breeding operations, check out the resources below: