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Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur

The history of agricultural education in Kerala can be traced back to the year 1896 when a scheme was evolved in the erstwhile Travancore State to train a few young men in scientific agriculture at the Demonstration Farm, Karamana, Thiruvananthapuram, presently, the Cropping Systems Research Centre under Kerala Agricultural University. Agriculture was introduced as an optional subject in the middle school classes in the State in 1922 when an Agricultural Middle School was started at Aluva, Ernakulam District. The popularity and usefulness of this school led to the starting of similar institutions at Kottarakkara and Konni in 1928 and 1931 respectively. Agriculture was later introduced as an optional subject for Intermediate Course in 1953. In 1955, the erstwhile Government of Travancore-Cochin started the Agricultural College and Research Institute at Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram and the College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences at Mannuthy, Thrissur for imparting higher education in agricultural and veterinary sciences, respectively. These institutions were brought under the direct administrative control of the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Animal Husbandry, respectively. With the formation of Kerala State in 1956, these two colleges were affiliated to the University of Kerala. The post-graduate programmes leading to M.Sc. (Ag), M.V.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees were started in 1961, 1962 and 1965 respectively. On the recommendation of the Second National Education Commission (1964-66) headed by Dr. D.S. Kothari, the then Chairman of the University Grants Commission, one Agricultural University in each State was established. The State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) were established in India as an integral part of the National Agricultural Research System to give the much needed impetus to Agriculture Education and Research in the Country. As a result the Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) was established on 24th February 1971 by virtue of the Act 33 of 1971 and started functioning on 1st February 1972. The Kerala Agricultural University is the 15th in the series of the SAUs. In accordance with the provisions of KAU Act of 1971, the Agricultural College and Research Institute at Vellayani, and the College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, were brought under the Kerala Agricultural University. In addition, twenty one agricultural and animal husbandry research stations were also transferred to the KAU for taking up research and extension programmes on various crops, animals, birds, etc. During 2011, Kerala Agricultural University was trifurcated into Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (KVASU), Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS) and Kerala Agricultural University (KAU). Now the University has seven colleges (four Agriculture, one Agricultural Engineering, one Forestry, one Co-operation Banking & Management), six RARSs, seven KVKs, 15 Research Stations and 16 Research and Extension Units under the faculties of Agriculture, Agricultural Engineering and Forestry. In addition, one Academy on Climate Change Adaptation and one Institute of Agricultural Technology offering M.Sc. (Integrated) Climate Change Adaptation and Diploma in Agricultural Sciences respectively are also functioning in Kerala Agricultural University.

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Subject: Agricultural Business Management × Author: Reji, E M × End date: 2009 × Thesis Type: M.Sc ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Impact of micro finance through self- help groups in Malappuram District
    (Department of Co- operative Management, College of Co- operation, Banking and Management, Vellanikkara, 2002) Reji, E M; KAU; Renjith kumar, E G
    Micro finance is about provisioning of thrift, credit and other financial services and products of very small amounts to the poor for enhancing them to raise their income levels and to improve their living standards. The present study entitled "Impact of Micro finance through self-help groups in Malappuram district" was undertaken with an objective of (i) to assess the socio-economic impact of self- help groups on beneficiaries and (ii) to identify thc factors that• determine the effective functioning of self-help groups. Primary data collected with the help of a structured schedule from 200 sample households in 30 SHG's functioning in 11 Grama Panchayats in Nilambur block of Malappuram district formed the basis for the study. The impact of the programme was assessed by comparing the pre-SHG and post-SHG situations. Group effectiveness index was computed for each group for identifying the factors determining the effective functioning of the groups. The economic impact of SHGs on beneficiaries could be visible III terms of increased savings habit, increased accessibility to credit, increased contribution to household income, acquisition of household assets, increased control over financial resources, and increased income and employment generation. The study revealed that SHGs places a lot of emphasis in developing savings habit among the . members. It is also worth to note that SHGs have emerged as the major sources of credit for its members. As much as 93 percent of them had availed credit from the group. The number of respondents who availed ii bank credit also increased from 2.5 percent in the pre-SHG period to 24 percent in the post SHG period. An examination of number of sources of household income in the pre- and post-SHG period showed an increase in number of sources of income for many of the households. The number of households reporting only single source of Income declined from 57.5 percent to 32 percent in the post SHG period, whereas the number of households reporting two and three sources increased from 27.5 percent and 11 percent to 44.5 percent and 19.5 percent respectively. Members acquired a wide variety of assets with the help of programme loan. Fourty nine percent of members acquired income generation assets including livestock, sewing machine and other work related implements. The respondent's control over household financial resources is reflected from their involvement in decision making with respect to savings, credit and income generation activities. The study revealed that the involvement of the members in SHG significantly contributed their ability to control these financial resources. It was also observed that as many as 35.5 percent of the respondents had constructed new latrine, repaired their house (9 percent), constructed new house (8.5 percent). As many as 47 percent of the respondents had started their own income generation activities. It is significant to note that majority of the respondents being housewives are able to make use of their idle time more productively and thereby supplementing their household income. The social impact of the programme was visible in terms of the members' increased role in household decision making increased self-confidence, increased ability to deal with adversities and their ill involvement in community activities. The members generally reported a higher level of involvement in their household decisions which IS reflected from their role in common household decisions such as purchase of food items, household investments, children's education, marnage etc. The study also indicated that involvement in SHGs significantly improved their level of self-confidence, which is reflected from their contribution to household, contribution to community and their free interaction with others. It is particular to note that the association of the members with SHGs equiped them to deal with certain types of adversities. In addition the group activities also helped in developing a greater sense of solidarity, closeness and will to shoulder responsibilities among the group members. The group effectiveness index showed high values indicating the effective functioning of the groups. The relationship between the various components with group effectiveness index revealed that all the components except understanding of scheme objectives and transparency exhibited strong and significant relationship with group effectiveness. The regression analysis carried out for the purpose of identifying the most influencing factors showed that group interaction, autonomy, equity, accountability and transparency mostly influenced the group effectiveness. The findings of the study revealed that the SHG as institutional arrangement could positively contribute to the social and economic dev.elopment of the poor.