Final answer:
Genomics is vital for identifying specific traits in crops and creating GMOs with improved characteristics like higher yield and disease resistance, and for developing sustainable agriculture practices.
Step-by-step explanation:
Genomics is necessary in ongoing agricultural GMO efforts because it plays a pivotal role in improving crops through genetic modification. By mapping traits to specific genes or gene signatures, genomics enables scientists to identify desirable traits and transfer those traits into crop plants to create genetically modified organisms (GMOs). This process helps produce hybrids with enhanced characteristics such as higher yield, disease resistance, and better environmental stress tolerance. Additionally, genomics contributes to the development of novel enzymes for biofuel production, agrochemicals, and methods for environmental monitoring, which overall supports more sustainable agriculture practices.