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Abstract Conventional pre-genomics breeding methodologies have significantly improved crop yields since the mid-twentieth century. Genomics provides breeders with advanced tools for whole-genome study, enabling a direct genotype–phenotype analysis. This shift has led to precise and efficient crop development through genomics-based approaches, including molecular markers, genomic selection, and genome editing. Molecular markers, such as SNPs, are crucial for identifying genomic regions linked to important traits, enhancing breeding accuracy and efficiency. Genomic resources viz. genetic markers, reference genomes, sequence and protein databases, transcriptomes, and gene expression profiles, are vital in plant breeding and aid in the identification of key traits, understanding genetic diversity, assist in genomic mapping, support marker-assisted selection and speeding up breeding programs. Advanced techniques like CRISPR/Cas9 allow precise gene modification, accelerating breeding processes. Key techniques like Genome-Wide Association study (GWAS), Marker-Assisted Selection (MAS), and Genomic Selection (GS) enable precise trait selection and prediction of breeding outcomes, improving crop yield, disease resistance, and stress tolerance. These tools are handy for complex traits influenced by multiple genes and environmental factors. This paper explores new genomic technologies like molecular markers, genomic selection, and genome editing for plant breeding showcasing their impact on developing new plant varieties.

Farming in eastern Himalayan region of India is a high risk activity due to climatic uncertainty, lack of resources with small and marginal farmers and non-adoption of improved technologies. Pond based integrated farming system (IFS) is a whole farm approach aims at increasing production, employment and income through integration of various farming enterprises (rice, vegetables, fruits, fish, pigs, poultry, goat and others) as per climate, social acceptability and market demand. Eleven farm pond based IFS models were evaluated in 150 farmers' field covering 22.5 ha area in South Garo Hills district of Meghalaya, India during 2009–14 in a participatory approach. The individual farming system unit considered in present study was 0.15 ha. The study revealed that productivity and income of farmers under pond based IFS improved substantially over farmers' practice. The maximum rice equivalent yield (REY) was obtained under model 6 (pond + rice + vegetables + pig integration, 4.04 Mg) followed by model 8 (pond + vegetable + pig + fruit integration, 4.02 Mg) and the lowest was recorded under farmers' practice (rice + vegetables, 0.53 Mg). IFS model 6 (74.3 kg unit−1 year−1) followed by 8 (60.2 kg unit−1 year−1) had noticeably higher protein equivalent yields over rest of the models. The IFS model 6 emerged as the best model because of high net return (INR. 23,900 unit−1 year−1, 1$ = INR 67), employment generation (81 man-days unit−1 year−1) as well as higher productivity in terms of REY (4.04 Mg unit−1 year−1) whereas, farmers' practice registered low net return (INR. 4120 unit−1 year−1), employment (42 man-days unit−1 year−1) and productivity (0.61 Mg unit−1 year−1). The Sustainable Value Index and System Economic Efficiency of IFS models 6 and 8 were much higher than other models. The overall results revealed that pond based IFS has the potential to provide year round food, nutrition, employment opportunities and substantially increase income of resource poor rural house-holds of the study region in Eastern Himalayas, India.