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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: KAU × Author: Rani, G × Start date: 2002 ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Capital formation in farm households of Kerala – a study in Nemom block panchayat of Thiruvananthapuram District
    (Department of Agricultural Economics, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2002) Rani, G; KAU; Jesy, K Thomas
    The present investigation on capital formation in farm households of Nemom Block Panchayat of Thiruvananthapuram district was aimed to assess the extent and nature of capital formation and to identify the constraints faced by farmers in capital formation. Two stage random sampling and stratified sampling in the third stage was adopted for the selection of 150 respondent farmers based on their size of holdings. The socio economic features, capital formation and constraints faced by farmers on the basis of income, expenditure, savings and asset structure of the farmers were studied using tabular analysis. Income from crop formed the major share of total farm income. Material expenditure and expenditure on feed formed the major share oftotal crop expenditure and livestock expenditure respectively. Out ofthe total investment in farm households, major share was occupied by land residential buildings. When land, residential buildings, vehicles and household durables were excluded, the asset structure showed that largest share of investment was on wells and tanks. The average gross capital formation in farm households was Rs.34450.44 and average net capital formation was Rs.3290.54. Major share of gross and net capital formation was on land improvement. The income, expenditure, savings, value of assets, gross capital formation and net capital formation increased with farm size. It was low (0.71) in the sample farm households because of the high value of existing asset structure. Among the Panchayats, the rate of capital formation was maximum in Kalliyoor, where farming was the major source of income of majority of sample respondents. High wage rate was the most important constraint faced by farmers followed by high cost of living. Non - availability of labour, low product price, incidence of pest and diseases, lack of interest and negative attitude of younger generation towards farming were also identified as major obstacles in capital formation in sample farm households.