Central Sericultural Research and Training Institute | India
Author Profile
Orcid
Early Academic Pursuits
Ms. Nikita Kankanawadi began her academic journey with an exceptional record in agricultural sciences, demonstrating academic excellence from her early schooling years to advanced degrees. Her foundational education in agriculture at the undergraduate level was marked by a strong interest in plant sciences, sericulture, and sustainable farming practices. Building upon this foundation, she pursued her master’s degree in agriculture with a specialization in sericulture at a premier agricultural university, where she achieved outstanding academic distinctions. These formative years not only honed her scientific skills but also deepened her interest in integrating traditional agricultural knowledge with modern scientific innovations.
Professional Endeavors
In her professional journey, Ms. Kankanawadi has engaged in diverse academic and practical activities, combining research, fieldwork, and knowledge dissemination. She has actively participated in international training programs on smart agriculture and entrepreneurship, gaining expertise in artificial intelligence applications, data analysis, and technological integration in farming systems. Her practical engagements range from rural agricultural work experience to agro-industrial attachments, where she gained valuable insights into crop cultivation, sericulture operations, and industrial processes such as sugarcane factory management.
Contributions and Research Focus
Ms. Kankanawadi’s research primarily focuses on sericulture, mulberry improvement, silkworm breeding, and sustainable silk production. Her work addresses key challenges in the field, such as developing silkworm varieties tolerant to high temperature and muscardine disease, improving mulberry leaf quality, and exploring innovative value-added products like mulberry herbal tea. She has also explored genetic variability in mulberry, biotechnological applications in sericulture, and nutrient fortification techniques to enhance silkworm performance. Her research extends to contemporary topics like artificial intelligence applications in sericulture, making her contributions both traditional in foundation and modern in approach.
Accolades and Recognition
Her academic and research excellence has been recognized through numerous awards and honors. She has received the Best Poster Presenter award at a prestigious science symposium, multiple NPTEL certifications with gold and silver medals, and the Best M.Sc. Thesis Award by a reputed agricultural foundation. She has also earned competitive scholarships for merit and academic distinction and successfully qualified the UGC National Eligibility Test, affirming her scholarly potential in higher education and research.
Impact and Influence
Through her research publications, review articles, and popular science writing, Ms. Kankanawadi has significantly contributed to the scientific community as well as to farmers and stakeholders in sericulture. Her findings on silkworm disease resistance, mulberry improvement, and women’s participation in sericulture provide valuable insights for both policy and practice. By bridging academic research with field-level applications, she has influenced sericulture development programs and inspired other young researchers, especially women in agricultural sciences.
Legacy and Future Contributions
Ms. Kankanawadi’s academic and professional trajectory positions her as an emerging leader in agricultural research with a strong focus on sericulture and sustainable practices. Her work in integrating biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and crop improvement strategies has the potential to transform silk production into a more resilient, efficient, and eco-friendly industry. In the future, she aims to continue contributing to the global knowledge base while working on projects that empower rural communities, enhance women’s participation, and ensure the sustainability of silk and allied industries.
Publications
20-Hydroxyecdysone in Silkworm Biology: Molecular Mechanisms of Biosynthesis, Development and Biotechnological Applications
Authors: Nikita Kankanawadi, Veenita M. K., Shwetha G. V., Kaveri Aramani, Gagana Sindhu S., Tejaswini A. S.
Journal: Uttar Pradesh Journal of Zoology
Year: 2025
Evaluation of High Temperature and Muscardine Disease Tolerant Foundation Crosses in Farmers' Field Conditions
Authors: Nikita Kankanawadi, Manjunath Gowda, K. C. Narayanaswamy, K. H. Nagaraj
Journal: Mysore Journal of Agricultural Sciences
Year: 2025
Reeling and Raw Silk Assessment of New Bivoltine Silkworm Double Hybrids Tolerant to High Temperature and Muscardine Disease
Authors: Nikita Kankanawadi, Manjunath Gowda, Kaveri Aramani, Veenita M. K., Shwetha G. V., S. Gagana Sindhu
Journal: Journal of Advances in Biology & Biotechnology
Year: 2025
Field-level Constraints and Information Sources in Sericulture: A Study from Karnataka
Authors: Nikita Kankanawadi, Manjunath Gowda, K. H. Nagaraj, Veenita M. K.
Journal: International Journal of Research in Agronomy
Year: 2025
Women's Participation and Constraints in Sericulture: A Study from Karnataka, India
Authors: Nikita Kankanawadi, Manjunath Gowda, K. C. Narayanaswamy, K. H. Nagaraj, Kaveri Aramani
Journal: Journal of Scientific Research and Reports
Year: 2025
Conclusion
Through her dedication, innovation, and commitment to sustainable agriculture, Ms. Kankanawadi has established herself as a promising researcher whose work addresses critical challenges in sericulture and agricultural productivity. Her blend of traditional knowledge, advanced technology integration, and focus on community development ensures that her contributions will continue to benefit the scientific community, farming sector, and broader society for years to come.