Mysore/Mysuru: The workshop  on ‘Sericulture Extension: Principles and Practices,’ organised by the Central Silk Board-Central Sericultural Research and Training Institute (CSB-CSRTI), Mysuru, was inaugurated by Nihar Ranjan, IFS, Dean (Forestry), ICAR-FCRI, Mettupalayam on Dec.4.

In his inaugural address, he emphasised that the outcomes of research must primarily benefit women and marginal sericultural farmers. Even small innovations, he noted, can have far-reaching impacts on society over time.

He stressed the importance of communicating developed technologies in local languages through print, digital and social-media platforms to ensure meaningful outreach and improve stakeholders’ livelihoods.

He observed that the workshop had successfully brought together experts from various institutions, departments, and universities with a shared goal of strengthening the sector while keeping people’s interests at the forefront.

Dr. P. Deepa, Director, CSB-CSRTI, Mysuru, expressed hope that with rapid advancements in information technology and AI tools, it has become essential for extension personnel to adopt modern technologies to effectively disseminate innovations across sericulture activities.

The inaugural session was attended by Senior Scientists Dr. N. Dhahira Beevi and Dr. S. Balasaraswati. The programme was coordinated by Dr. Joycy  Rani, Scientist-D. The workshop featured several technical sessions led by experts from diverse fields.

• Dr. Mahantesh Shirur, Principal Scientist, NAARM, Hyderabad, spoke on Research and Project Formulation in Extension.

• Dr. V. Govinda Gowda, Professor and Head, Department of Agricultural Extension, GKVK, Bengaluru, spoke on Bridging Knowledge and Fields: Innovations in Agricultural Extension Services.

• Dr. N. Anandaraj, Professor and Head, DOE, TNAU, Coimbatore, presented insights on Digital Agriculture: Scopes and Options.

• Dr. H.M. Vinaya Kumar, Assistant Professor, KSNUAHS, Shivamogga, spoke on Virtual Monitoring and Evaluation Systems in Agricultural Extension.

• Renowned motivational speaker D. T. Ramanuja from the Focus Academy of Life Skills and Entrepreneurship, Mysuru, delivered a dynamic session for the extension functionaries.

More than 150 participants including officials from CSB-CSRTI Mysuru and its nested units across Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra; officers from the Sericulture Departments of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana; representatives from various Universities; and newly inducted scientists of the Central Silk Board attended.

J. Justin Kumar, Senior Technical Assistant, CSB-CSRTI, proposed the vote of thanks.