ICLARM implemented DEGITA in collaboration with the Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute, the National Aquaculture Genetics Research Institute (now the Aquatic Animal Genetics Research and Development Institute) of Thailand, NFFTC, Shanghai Fisheries University, and Research Institutes for Aquaculture (Nos. 1 and 2) of Viet Nam. The development of GIFT and DEGITAnecessitated the improvement of research facilities and support for their operations at all partner institutes.The improved facilities in the Philippines, where GIFT were developed, included a quarantine unit, new ponds and tanks, laboratory and field equipment, and a tilapia gene bank comprising collections of broodstock and cryopreserved sperm samples. Throughout the development of GIFT, AKVAFORSK and ICLARM staff provided on-the-job and formal training for Philippine national program researchers and technicians, principally on quantitative genetics, fish breeding, and statistical methods. Throughout DEGITA, training was provided to technical staff and farmers for on-station and participatory, on-farm research toward genetic improvement of tilapia and dissemination of improved tilapia strains.20
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