P. Deepa has been appointed as the new Director of the Central Sericultural Research and Training Instititute (CSRTI) in Mysuru.
Ms. Deepa, who took charge as the Director of CSRTI on Monday, had served in various capacities and units under the National Silkworm Seed Organisation, a premier R&D organisation of silkworm seed for the last 35 years.
She replaces Gandhi Doss, who has been transferred to CSRTI, Berhampore.
Speaking to The Hindu, Ms. Deepa said her priorities will include formulating and implementing field-oriented research projects to improve mulberry and silkworm productivity, while moving towards the country’s target of reaching an annual production of 50,000 tonnes of raw silk by 2030 from the present 41,121 tonnes.
Development of low-cost, eco-friendly, and user-friendly technologies for stakeholders along with value addition through by-product development from mulberry and silk cocoon production processes is also a key priority area.
Central Silk Board’s (CSB) flagship programme — ‘Mera Resham Mera Abhiman’ (My Silk My Pride) is being implemented with full enthusiasm and vigour across seven States by CSRTI, Mysuru. “The initiative is aimed at attracting the youth to sericulture,” she said, while adding that the 100-day ‘Mera Resham Mera Abhiman’, which began in July 2025, is expected to conclude in September 2025.
A total of 80 scientists from diverse disciplines are working at CSRTI, Mysuru, which comes under the CSB.
