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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: Unnikrishnan, G × End date: 1994 × Start date: 1994 × Type: Thesis ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Economic status of agricultural labourers in Thiruvananthapuram district
    (Department of Agricultural Economics, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1994) Unnikrishnan, G; KAU; Venugopalan, S
    The study ‘Economic status of agricultural labourers in Thiruvananthapuram district’ was carried out with the following objectives. 1. To understand the levels of employment, under employment and unemployment of the agricultural labourers of Thiruvananthapuram district. 2. To study the wages rates and modes of payment of the wages. 3. To estimate the income levels of the ALHH. 4. To assess the expenditure pattern of the ALHH. 5. To estimate the extent of poverty , if any 6. To estimate the levels of indebtedness and savings. 7. To assess the support through the various welfare programmes for the selected households. 8. To understand details such as social participation, cosmopoliteness, aspiration levels etc. 9. To study the levels of political participation of the ALHH The study was conducted in the Neyyatinkara subdivision of the district in 4 randomly selected krishibhavans. Sample size of the study was 120 and equal number of respondents were selected from each of the 4 Krishibhavans. Personal interviews were conducted to collect the data from the respondents with the help of a pre-tested and well structured questionnaire. The variables used in the study included basic family particulars, education level of the respondent, level of employment and details of wages, land holding size and land holding pattern, possession of farm implements, consumer durables, livestock status, value of permanent assets, dependence on the PDS, income and expenditure pattern of the households, benefits from welfare programmes, indebtedness and savings levels of the households, social participation and other relevant characteristics which are useful in measuring the economic status of a household. For measuring the variables suitable scales were used which were used by earlier researchers with modifications wherever needed and in some cases suitable scales and classes were formed. Data collected was coded, tabulated and analysed with suitable statistical tools. Some of the important findings of this study are 1. Majority of the house holds were thatched ones and family compositions mainly nuclear. 2. The average family size was four and large proportion of the labourers belonged to the age group 35-55. 3. About 67 per cent of the labourers were moderately under employed and 23 percent severly underemployed. 4. Wage rates of both male and female labourers were above the minimum wage rates fixed by the government and was mainly paid in cash only. 5. Disparity was seen in wages for male and female labourers, the latter earning only about 70 per cent of the former, per day even though working hours were same for both. 6. Average annual income per household was about Rs 29887 and percapita income was about Rs 8078. 7. Eighty nine percent of the ALHH depended wholly or partially on the PDS to fulfill their food requirements. 8. Cereals had the highest share in food expenses for majority of households and food expenses formed the major share in total expenses 9. Expenditure was significantly and directly related with income. 10. It was observed that 18 percent of the ALHH were below and 21 percent marginally above the poverty line based on consumption expenditure. 11. Anti-poverty programmes were yet to reach one third of the population and even the benefited households got only a meager amount per household. 12. Dependence for credit by the ALHH was equal on both formal and non-formal agencies and 84 percent of them had availed credit. 13. Sixty five percent of the households that availed credit had amounts overdue against them. 14. Financial base of the households was unstable at all levels of income. 15. Family size and number of days of employment was inversely and significantly related to credit amount overdue. 16. About half of the total households had no savings and the others mainly invested in non-formal agencies only. 17. Social participation level was low for most of the ALHH. 18. Most of the ALHH were highly exposed to mass media, had high levels of health and hygiene, cosmopoliteness and aspirations. 19. Majority of the respondents were members of registered political parties and had high political awareness. The results obtained from the study was similar to those obtained in earlier studies with regard to most of the variables. The agricultural labourers were still poor and down-trodden and their upliftment needs greater attention than that given now. By proper policy modifications and implementation it can be made sure that their upliftment is not a herculian task.