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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 Economics × Author: Aiswarya, Mohanan × End date: 2018 × Start date: 2011 × Thesis Type: M.Sc ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Economic analysis of orchid flower trade in Kerala
    (College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2015) Aiswarya, Mohanan; KAU; Santha, A M
    The research entitled “Economic analysis of orchid flower trade in Kerala” was conducted in Thiruvananthapuram (TVM) and Ernakulam (EKM) districts during the period from October, 2014 to March 2015. A sample of 10 elite growers having 5 years of experience, actively involved in commercial orchid production and 5 florists were selected randomly from each district. The study was carried out with the objective to understand the opportunities and challenges in orchid flower trade in Kerala and to assess the economic viability of orchid cultivation as an agri-business enterprise. In this study, the socio-economic characteristics of the orchid growers were ascertained. Aranthera was observed as the most popular orchid among the growers in TVM district whereas Dendrobium was mostly cultivated in EKM district. Even though growers had developed their own practices for cultivation of orchids, innovations could not be observed. The costs and returns were analysed for a unit of 1000 orchid plants. Cost of cultivation using A B C cost concepts showed that cost A1 (paid out costs) was Rs. 1,25,585 of which planting material accounted for 80.44 per cent, followed by hired labour (7.15 per cent). Considering all variable and fixed costs, cost C3 came to Rs. 1,53,868. The total cost of establishment was worked out to Rs. 1,49,504. Cost of planting material alone contributed 67.57 per cent of the total cost of establishment followed by shade structure or artificial support (18.67 per cent). The average annual returns obtained from a unit of 1000 orchid plants was Rs. 1,06,789. Even though the cost of cultivation and establishment costs were higher, the returns was lower in Ernakulam district. Capital productivity analysis revealed that orchid cultivation is a viable enterprise with B – C ratio of 1.64 and Net Present Worth of Rs. 1,37,898. Pay Back Period and Internal Rate of Return was obtained as 3.03 years and 55 per cent respectively. Orchid cultivation was found more remunerative in TVM compared to EKM. The resource use efficiency estimated using Cobb-Douglas production function revealed that the input planting material was underutilized and could be increased further to reach the optimum level. Four marketing channels were identified, of which Producer (exporter) – Distant Wholesaler – Consumer channel was observed as the most prominent channel contributing to 51.13 per cent. Price spread was Rs. 6.3 per flower and producer‟s share was 74.8 per cent in this channel. Most efficient channel was Producer – Consumer with lowest price spread (Rs. 0.09), highest Shepherd‟s index (155.76) and highest producer‟s share (99.36 per cent). But only 5.44 per cent of total flowers produced were marketed through this channel. Ninety two per cent of total quantity of flowers produced were sold in domestic markets of Chennai, Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi etc and the remaining were sold in local market. Flowers were sold by florists after value addition. Value added products like flower arrangements, bouquets and wreaths helped them in realizing highest net margin among intermediaries. However value addition was not observed among growers. Orchid cultivation in Kerala can be a highly profitable agribusiness enterprise, if proper marketing strategies are followed. Opportunities are optimal for new entrepreneurs to start orchid cultivation since there is high demand for orchid flowers in the domestic market and high demand for potted flowering plants in the local market. Marketing is the major challenge faced by growers in cut flower orchid production, because of the small unit size and unorganized marketing. Therefore it is suggested that orchid flower marketing system should be under the ambit of regulation and control. This requires establishment of primary market producing area, wholesale market in the cities, terminal markets for export and revitalization of nonfunctional producers association in the state which must be financially supported by the government