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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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ThesisItem Open Access Optimum plot size for inter croping experiments(Department of Agricultural Statistics, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1995) Reji, K; KAU; Sunny, K LA uniformity trial was conducted in bhindi intercropped with cowpea at the experimental field of College of Horticulture, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara during July 1993 to December 1993 to assess the nature and magnitude of soil heterogeneity, and to determine the optimum size of plot for increasing the efficiency of experiment with intercropping. Three different approaches have been attempted in the statistical analysis. At the time of harvest, the yield data from 320 plots each of size 0.60m x 0.45m were recorded separately after discarding the border rows. It was observed that the index of soil heterogeneity was very high in all these approaches indicating that the contiguous plots are not correlated and the fertile spots are distributed randomly or in patches. It was also observed that an increase in the plot size in either direction decreased the coefficient of variation but the decrease was not proportional in all these approaches. The empirical law suggested by smith gave a satisfactory fit to the data. All the other non- linear models tried also gave a satisfactory fit to the data in all these approaches. The optimum plot size obtained by following different approaches indicated that 10 basic units plots(2.7m2) are optimum for conducting the intercropping experiment with bhindi and cowpea. Comparison of the LER and the bivariate analysis method showed that for the same level of precision the LER method gives a smaller plot size implying that per unit cost of experimentation will be higher in bivariate analysis. For any choosen plot size the precision attained through LER analysis is larger than that through bivariate analysis. However, when the multivariate approach is adopted the optimum plot size was obtained as 10 basic units (2.7m2) as in the case of LER.ThesisItem Open Access Supply utilization and repayment performance of crop loans of commercial banks in Alappuzha district(Department of Agricultural Economics, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1993) Lekshmi, S; KAU; Jesy, ThomasAn investigation on the supply, utilization and repayment performance of crop loans of commercial banks in Alappuzha district with special reference to paddy was conducted on the basis of data pertaining to the year 1991-92. Data for the study were generated through a sample survey of borrowing households, conducted during 1992-93. The main objectives were to study the credit requirement, availability and its gap in paddy cultivation, to analyse the extent of utilization and repayment of loan, and to identify the factors discriminating the borrowers into non-defaulters and defaulters. Two stage random sampling technique was used for generating primary data with branches of lead bank is first stage sample and borrowing farmers as second stage. From the list of branches with more than 60 crop loan accounts for paddy for punja season, two branches viz., Edathua and Kainakary were selected at random from each branch. Linear discriminant function and tabular analysis were the tools used for analysis. An inverse relation existed between cost of cultivation and size of holding in the two areas viz., Edathua and Kainakary and also at the pooled level. Input-output ratio was highest for large farmers followed by marginal farmers and small farmers. The credit requirement was Rs.12.747/- for marginal farmers, Rs.12,706/- for small farmers and Rs.12.652/- for large farmers based on the entire paid out cost of cultivation and Rs.9,560/-, Rs.9,489/- and Rs.9,529/- for marginal, small and large farmers respectively based 75 per cent of paid out cost of cultivation. The scale of finance fixed for paddy in punja season for Alappuzha district during 1991-92 was Rs.5,000/- per hectare. Credit gap estimated per hectare of paddy was Rs.7,652/- for large farmers, Rs.7,706/- for small farmers and Rs.7,747/- for marginal farmers based on 100 per cent paid out cost of cultivation and Rs.4,560/-, Rs.4,529/- and Rs.4,489/- for marginal, small and large farmers respectively based on 75 per cent of paid out cost of cultivation. At the pooled level 52.50 per cent of the borrowers utilized the loan for the stipulated purpose while 47.50 per cent utilized it for purposes other than stipulated. Coinciding with the beginning of the crop season 92.31 per cent of large farmers, 62.69 per cent of small farmers and 33.33 per cent of marginal farmers could avail of the loans. Among the borrowers 54.17 per cent were non-defaulters and 45.83 per cent were defaulters. Out of the total loan disbursed in the study area, 49.28 per cent was repaid while 50.72 per cent was overdue. Various reasons attributed to non-repayment by the farmers in the study area were nonremunerative price for the produce, storage of the produce to fetch a high price, divertion and yield due to crop failure. The factors identified as significant discriminators between defaulters and non-defaulters were marketed surplus time of sowing and credit gap. The contribution of these variables to the total distance measured was 77.78, 16.27 and 5.95 per cent respectively. About 65 per cent of the respondents were correctly assigned to their group by the discriminant function.ThesisItem Open Access Coconut based food and oil milling industries in Kozhikode and Kannur districts(Department of Agricultural Economics, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1991) Bala Sudhahari, T; KAU; Mukundan, KA study was conducted to assess the performance of coconut processing sector in Kozhikode and Kannur districts of Kerala, during 1990-91. The specific objectives of the study are (i) to study the economic performance of coconut based food and oil milling industries and (ii)to identify the constraints that affect the proper functioning of these industries . All the four desiccated coconut units in the two districts were visited and studied. To study the performance of coconut oil mills, a sample of 70 units were selected by multistage random sampling in the two districts. Desiccated Coconut Units The annual installed capacity was equal in the four desiccated coconut units, while the capacity utilisation varied between 1440 thousand nuts to 2004 thousand nuts per annum.ThesisItem Open Access Economics of production and marketing of vegetables in Ollukkara Block in Thrissur district(Department of Agricultural Economics, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1992) Sandhya, V; KAU; Radhakrishnan, VThe present investigation on the production and marketing of vegetables (bittergourd and ashgourd) in Ollukkara block in Thrissur district was undertaken during the year 1990-91. The study aimed at estimating the cost of cultivation, cost of production, input-output ratio, resource use efficiency' and marketing efficiency of the two vegetables. The study also aimed at identifying the important marketing channels. Multistage random sampling was adopted for the study. Cost A1 , cost. A2, cost B1, cost B2, cost C1 and cost C2 per hectare were Rs .13,584.55, Rs. 13,914.53, Rs.13,954.23, Rs.15,958.24, Rs.20,563.37 and Rs.22,556.38 respectively for bitter gourd and Rs.6,630.22, Rs.6,910.22, Rs.7,012.22, Rs.8,689.80, Rs.9,360.07 and Rs.11,037.67 respectively for ashgourd. The largest single item of input was human labour for both bittergourd and ashgourd. The output of bittergourd was 13830 kg per hectare and 16509 kg per hectare for ashgourd. The gross value of output at the prevailing price was Rs. 42,364.63 for bittergourd and Rs.24,763.50 for ashgourd. Cost of production per quintal of bittergourd based on cost A1, cost A2 , cost B 1, cost B2 , cost C1 and cost C2 were Rs.98.00, Rs. 100.60, Rs.100.90, Rs.115.00, Rs.148.00 and Rs. 163.00 respectively. For ashgourd they were Rs.40.00, Rs.42.00, Rs.42.00, Rs.53.09, Rs. 56.00 and Rs. 66.00 in the same order Input-output ratios based on cost A1, cost A2 cost B1, cost B2 , cost C2 and cost C2 were 3.11, 3.04, 3.03, 2.65, 2.06 and 1.88 for bittergourd and 3.73, 3.58, 3.53, 2.84, 2.64 and 2.24 for ashgourd respectively. Bulkline cost per quintal for bittergourd was Rs.220 and Rs.85 for ashgourd. Farm business income for bittergourd and ashgourd were Rs.28,779.40 and Rs.18,133.28 respectively for the aggregate sample. Own farm business income for bittergourd and ashgourd were Rs.28,450.10 and Rs.17,853.28. Family labour income was Rs.26,406.40 for bittergourd and Rs.16,073.70 for ashgourd. Net income for bittergourd and ashgourd were Rs. 19,808.25 and Rs.13,725.83 respectively. Farm investment income was Rs.22,181.26 and Rs. 15,785.40 respectively for bittergourd and ashgourd.ThesisItem Open Access Supply behaviour of sesamum and groundnut in Kerala(Department of Agricultural Economics, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1991) Chandrabhanu, P; KAU; Thomas, E KThe present study focuses on the two principal seasonal oilseed crops of Kerala viz. sesamum and groundnut. Trends in area, production and productivity as well as the determinants of area and productivity of these two crops were analysed both at the district and state levels using time series data for the 1961-62 to 1987-88 period. Simple indices and three different functional forms viz. the linear, log-linear and the quadriatic were used to measure the trend for two sub periods viz. 1961-62 to 1974-75 and 1975-76 to 1987-88 as well as for the period as a whole. Decomposition analysis was carried out to partion out the relative contributions of area and productivity towards the changes in output. Variability was measured using the coefficient of variation.ThesisItem Open Access Comparative study on the economic efficiency of different sources of irrigation in Chittur development block(Department of Agricultural Economics, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1990) Kalyana Krishnan, S; KAU; Prabhakaran, TA study was conducted in Chittur Development Block to compare the economic efficiencies of different sources of irrigation in the area. Kunnamkattupathy Village in the Block was purposively selected for this. The objectives were to (a) compare the principal sources of Irrigation with respect to their adequacy and influence over cropping pattern# (b) to estimate the cost and technical co-efficients on farms (c) to develop optimal plans- for farms differing with respect to source of irrigation and (d) to suggest means for optimal use of irrigation water. Stratified random sampling was the technique used to select farms and pretested schedule was used to gather information from the farmers of the village. The study area had four different systems of irrigation, viz.,canal, canal + well, well and spout fed well. Relevent data were collected from twenty samples each of canal fed, well fed and rainfed farms and fifteen samples each of canal with well and spout fed well irrigated farms, by personal interview. Average area per farm was 6.04 acres with canal fed farms having the lowest area# of 3.59 acres and spout fed well irrgated farms having the highest average area of 8.18 acres. Farms of the sample area were evenly distributed between the black loam and red loam soils. Paddy was the dominant crop being cultivated in irrigated farms and groundnut was the dominant one in rainfed farms. Season wise cropped area indicated a general pattern of paddy 1st crop and groundnut Iand crop in the Irrigated farms. Rainfed farms concentrated on low water requiring crops, rather than paddy. Cropping intensity in irrigated farms was 177.20% while that of rainfed farms was only 158.31%. Most of the farmers deriving benefit of canal water either directly or indirectly felt that their water requirement was being met adequately while majority of farmers depending ground water alone felt that their requirement of water is being met only partially.ThesisItem Open Access Impact of increase in wage rate and cost of fertiliser in rice production in Thiruvananthapuram district(Department of Agricultural Economics, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1995) Anitha, A V; KAU; Narayanan, Nair ERThe study ‘‘Impact of increase in wage rate and cost of fertilizers in Rice production in Thiruvananthapuram district’’ was carried out with the following objectives. 1. To examine the changes in the pattern of labour intake and fertilizer use consequent on the increase in wage rate and price of fertilizers. 2. To study the impact of increase in price of fertilizers and wage rate in the production and productivity of Rice. An attempt was also made to work out the economics of Rice cultivation and to examine the resource are efficiency of different input factors involved in the production process. The study was conducted at Nedumangad Agricultural sub division using a sample of 120 farmers selected by multi stage stratified random sampling technique. The variables selected for the study included wages paid to the labourers during first and second crop season of 1992-93 and 1993-94., labour use for different agricultural operations, quantity of fertilizers and organic manner used, production obtained in different crop seasons, and pricer of input and output obtained in different crop seasons. The data were collected from Rice growers using a well structured and pretested questionnaire. The data so collected were analysed using appropriate statistical techniques, viz., index numbers, percentage analysis and regression analysis. Some of the important findings of this study were. 1. Majority of the respondent farmers fell in the age group of 45-60 years, had nuclear families, educated up to high schools and were mere agriculturists. 2. The total cost of cultivation increased by 12.53 per cent in S4 season over S1 season due to the increase in cost of all the input factors involved in the production process. 3. The maximum share of total cost was contributed by labour component which was 72.5 per cent in S1 season, 69.32 per cent in S2, 70.32 per cent in S3 and 70.82 per cent in S4 season. Among this the expenditure on human labour was the highest which was 56.19 per cent to total cost in S1 and it increased to 57.45 per cent in S4 season. 4. The share of fertilizers to the total cost increased from 6.53 per cent in S1 to 7.46 per cent in S4 season and it was maximum during S2 season (9.62 per cent). 5. The returns from grain was more in first crop season and less in second crop season because the farmers mostly used high yielding variety during first crop season. 6. The price of nitrogen in terms of urea reduced by 9.79 per cent in S4 season. But its level of use reduced by 11, 15 and 5 per cent respectively in stratum I II and III 7. Since S1 season, the price of phosphate increased by 101.73 per cent in S2 season, 86.38 in S3 season and 65.66 per cent in S3 season. During this period a reduction in its use at the rate of 12-14 per cent in stratum I and II and 6-7 per cent in stratum III was noticed. 8. The price of potash showed an increase of 185.8 per cent in S2 season, 184.60 per cent in S3 season and 124.60 per cent in S4 season over S1 season. During this period its use was reduced by 13-16 per cent in stratum I and II and 4-8 per cent in stratum III. 9. A study increase in the wage rate of men and women labourers was observed during this period. But a proportional reduction in the level of labour use was not noticed. The wage rate of both male and female labourers were above the minimum wage rate fixed by the Government. 10. The price of output increased by 14 per cent in S4 season over S1 season. The increase in the price of output was only nominal when compared to the price of inputs. 11. The production function analysis revealed that the cost of organic manures and men labour had significant elasticity during S1, S2 and S3 season. Nitrogen had significant elasticity in S2 season and women labour in S4 season. Other factors did not appear significant. 12. The marginal value product of organic manure and nitrogen were much above their respective factor cost. But the marginal value product of men labour was less than the wage rate prescribed. The results obtained from the study was similar to those obtained in earlier studies with regard to most of the variables. The results clearly indicated that the profits from cultivating rice had been declining under pressure of rising input prices. The exorbitant rise in the prices of farm inputs like fertilizers and labour restricted their use by the farmers and there by reduced the level of productivity in recent years. By proper policy measures of the Government and its implementation the rice cultivation can be made a profitable preposition.ThesisItem Open Access Economic status of agricultural labourers in Thiruvananthapuram district(Department of Agricultural Economics, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1994) Unnikrishnan, G; KAU; Venugopalan, SThe 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.ThesisItem Open Access Economics of production and marketing of selected medicinal plants in Thrissur district(Department of Agricultural Economics, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1996) Mayadevi, A; KAU; Mukundan, KThe present investigation on the production and marketing of selected medicinal plants (Kacholam and Koduveli) in Thrissur district was undertaken during the year 1994-1995. The study aimed at estimating the cost of cultivation, cost of production, benefit-cost ratio, study the market structure and look into to the various uses to which these medicinal plants are put and the problems encountered in medicinal plants cultivation. Multi stage random sampling design was adopted for the study. The largest single item of input was human labour in Koduveli and seeds in Kacholam. Cost A1, Cost A2, Cost B1, Cost B2, Cost C1 and Cost C2 per hectare were Rs.26,678.09; Rs.26,678.09; Rs.27,534.09; Rs.27,534.09; Rs.52,534.09; Rs.31,549.59 and Rs.56,550.59 respectively for Koduveli and Rs.49,332.5; Rs.49,332.5; Rs.50,609.30; Rs.50,609.30 and Rs.75,609.30 respectively for Kacholam. The income measures in relation to different cost concepts in medicinal plants cultivation such as gross income, farm business income, family labour income, net income at Cost C1 and Cost C2 and were Rs.130400.69, Rs.81068.19, Rs.54791.39, Rs.79791.39 and Rs.54791.39 for Kacholam and Rs.136003.69, Rs.109325.6, Rs.83469.6, Rs.104454.1 and Rs.79452.8 respectively for Koduveli. Input-output ratio based on Cost A1, Cost A2, Cost B1, Cost B2, Cost C1 and Cost C2 were Rs.2.62, Rs.2.62, Rs.2.55, Rs.1.71, Rs.2.55 and Rs.1.71 for Kacholam and Rs.5.10, Rs.5.10, Rs.4.90, Rs.2.59, Rs.4.30 and Rs.2.40 for Koduveli respectively. The average per hectare yield in the district for Kacholam was 1862.9 kilogram (dried) and for Koduveli 6476.3 kilogram (green). Production function analysis done separately for the two medicinal plants revealed that area and seeds towards gross income were found to have positive effect on gross income. The sum of elasticities of production function for Kacholam (1.0862) and for Koduveli were (1.0228) respectively which indicated constant returns to scale. The major marketing channels identified in Thrissur market for marketing of medicinal plants was Producer-dealer-manufacturer. The producers’ net share on dealer rupee was Rs.69 per kilogram (92 per cent) for Kacholam and Rs.20 per kilogram (83.3 per cent) for Koduveli. The index of marketing efficiency was 11.5 for Kacholam and 7 for Koduveli. The analysis of marketing efficiency revealed that the efficiency of marketing of Kacholam was higher when compared to Koduveli. Non availability of good materials in sufficient quantities, unawareness of farmers about their cultivation, high post-harvest losses and unorganized trade are the main constraints encountered in medicinal plant cultivation.
