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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 Economics of production and marketing of tuber crops in Palakkad district(Department of Agricultural Economics, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1997) Sheena, P A; KAU; Thomas, E KThe present investigation on the economics of production and marketing of tuber crops viz. coleus, sweet potato and tapioca in Palakkad district was undertaken during the year 1994-95. The study focussed on estimation of cost and returns and marketing system. Data for the study was generated through a sample survey of farmers, village traders, wholesalers and retailers. Two stage sampling technique was adopted for the study, with panchayats selected purposively and sample farmers by random sampling method. The sample size for each crop was 50 making a total of 150 sample respondents. The results of the cost structure analysis revealed that the largest single item of expense was rental value of own land for coleus and tapioca and for sweet potato chemical fertilizer had the highest expense. Among the explicit cost items male labour accounted the highest share in coleus while rental value of own land and farmyard manure were the most important item in sweet potato and tapioca respectively. Cost A1, Cost A2, Cost B1, Cost B2, Cost C1 and Cost C2 per hectare was Rs.10101.74, Rs.13016.86, Rs.10101.74, Rs.17593.80, Rs.10743.99 and Rs.18236.05 respectively for coleus and Rs.8124.94, Rs.8124.94, Rs.13304.05, Rs.8852.50 and Rs.14031.61 respectively for tapioca and Rs.6733.13, Rs.6733.13, Rs.6733.13 and Rs.9079.94, Rs.7311.04 and Rs.9654.84 respectively for sweet potato. The average per hectare yield of coleus, sweet potato and tapioca were 9154 kg, 8801 kilogram and 7398.73 kilogram respectively. Benefit-cost ratio for coleus was Rs.2.27, Rs.1.76, Rs.2.27, Rs.1.30, Rs.2.13 and Rs.1.25 based on costs A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2 where as the corresponding figures for sweet potato were Rs.1.74, Rs.1.74, Rs.1.74, Rs.1.29, Rs.1.60 and Rs.1.21 respectively. In the case of tapioca Benefit cost ratio was Rs.3.19, Rs.3.19, Rs.3.19, Rs.1.95, Rs.2.93 and Rs.1.85. The income measures in relation to different cost concepts, in coleus cultivation such as gross income, farm business income, family labour income, net income and farm investment income were Rs.22884.72, Rs.12782.98, Rs.5290.92, Rs.4648.67 and Rs.12140.73 respectively and Rs.11734.04, Rs.5000.91, Rs.2654.10, Rs.2076.20 and Rs.4423.00 respectively for sweet potato and Rs.25895.56, Rs.17770.62, Rs.12591.51, Rs.11863.95 and Rs.17043.06 respectively for coleus. Functional analysis was carried out using Cobb-douglas production function and the results revealed that for coleus fertilizer was found to be negative and significant. The production elasticity of labour was negative and insignificant. Farmyard manure and planting material were found to be insignificant. With regard to sweet potato labour was found to be negative and significant and the production elasticity of fertilizer was found to be negative though insignificant. Farmyard manure and planting material was found to be significantly influencing production. Regarding tapioca the production elasticity of labour and farmyard manure was found to be negative though insignificant. The high value of production elasticity of area indicated the dominance of this particular factor. Marginal value product of farmyard manure and planting material for coleus and sweet potato were greater than their factor cost ratio and was negative for labour and fertilizer. In the case of marketing of coleus and sweet potato more than 95 per cent of the produce was sold to wholesalers through commission agents. The producer’s share was only 34.53 per cent and 31.76 per cent of the consumers’ rupee for coleus and sweet potato respectively. The index of marketing efficiency was 0.53 for coleus and 0.47 for sweet potato. Regarding tapioca the tubers who performed the role of commission agent and from them produce is taken by mill owners of Salem and Dindigul. Since there is a product diversification the marketing of tapioca tubers was studied only upto the intermediary level.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 Socio-economic status of traditional fisherfolk in kerala - a study in Thiruvanathapuram District(Department of Agricultural Economics, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1997) Jinraj, P V; KAU; Raviraman, KThe study, "Socio-economic status of traditional fisherfolk in Kerala - A study in Thiruvananthapuram district" was undertaken with the following objectives. 1. To understand the present socio-economic status of the traditional fisherfolk in Kerala with particular emphasis on the income and expenditure pattern of the community concerned. 2. To analyse the levels of living of the fisherfolk with respect to food intake, shelter, educational status and sanitary conditions. Thiruvananthapuram, which is one of the districts with the highest fishermen population in the State, was selected for the study. From Thiruvananthapuram district Vizhinjam and Anjuthengu villages were selected due to their larger size compared to the other fishing villages and variation in fishing activity. A sample size of 50 traditional fisherfolk families from each village was selected using stratified random sampling technique, taking motorised and non-motorised fisherfolk families as two strata. A well structured and pre-tested questionnaire, was used for collecting data from the selected sample households. Data collected was analysed using suitable statistical tools such as mean, percentage analysis, correlation coefficient and regression analysis. The variables used in the study included general information on households, educational level, employment status, income and expenditure pattern, extent of credit availed and indebtedness, food intake, health status, housing conditions, social participation and other relevant characteristics which are useful in measuring the socio- economic status of a household. The study revealed that the average family size of the fisherfolk was 5.19. It was 5.58 in Vizhinjam village and 4.8 in Anjuthengu village. It was also seen that the majority of the fishermen under study were in the age group of 21-35 years. The female to male ratio was found to be 784 females for 1000 males. Landless fisherfolk families constituted 37 per cent and among land owners 55 per cent had less than 5 cents of land. The literacy rate of the fisherfolk was found to be 63 per cent in which males had a lower literacy rate (53 %) than females (68 %). It was noted that about 85 per cent of the workforce in the study area were engaged in fishing and about 14.41 per cent were engaged in fish vending. The average monthly income of a fisherfolk family was found to be Rs. 1918.94. In Vizhinjarn village it worked out to be Rs. 2160.20 as against Rs. 1677.68 in Anjuthengu village. Of the total monthly household expenditure, 62.52 % was spent on food, 12.52 % on arrack and 8.5 % on fuel and lighting. The percentage expenditure on betel chewing, clothing, medicinal purposes and recreation were 7.58 %, 4.24 %,2.11 % and l. 92 % respectively. The expenditure on education was observed to be very meager. It was revealed from the study that the fisherfolk were mainly utilising money lenders for availing credit. The majority of the loans availed were used for production purposes such as the purchase of fishing equipment (54%) and fish vending (5.3%). About 19.5 % of loans were used for marriage purposes and the rest for home consumption and for other purposes. The household food consumption pattern showed that the cereal food consumption was 45% of the total requirement. They consumed large quantities of fish. It was also observed that the intake of vegetables other than tubers, milk and fat and oils were inadequate when compared to the recommendations of the ICMR. The intake of pulses was found to be very meagre. It was revealed that 12 % of the fisherfolk families did not own houses and lived in houses belonging to their friends or relatives. •It was also noticed that 54% of the families resided in huts, 24% in pucca houses, 2% in concrete houses and one per cent in asbestos house. It was also seen that 65 % of the wage earners lived in huts. About sixty nine per cent of the houses were non-electrified and about 76 % did not have a latrine. Among the total fisherfolk respondents selected for the study only 15% utilised news papers as sources of information. Respondent s utilising television and radio were 9% and 17% respectively.ThesisItem Open Access Economics of paddy cum prawn culture in pokkali lands of Ernakulam District(Department of Agricultural Economics, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1998) Mary Vijaya, K; KAU; Mukundan, KThe present investigation on the economics of paddy cum prawn culture in Pokkali lands of Ernakulam district was undertaken during the year 1995-96. The study focussed on estimation of cost and returns, measuring productivity of farm resources and identifying constraints in paddy cum prawn production. Data for the study was generated through a sample survey of farmers. Two stage sampling technique was adopted for the study with villages as the primary sampling units and prawn farmers as secondary sampling units, selected by random sampling method. The results of the cost structure analysis revealed that the largest single item of cost of operation was land preparation in paddy cum traditional prawn culture; and in paddy cum improved prawn culture, intercultural operations required the highest expenses. Among the explicit costs, labour accounted the highest share in paddy cum traditional prawn production and cost of materials was the most important item in paddy cum improved prawn production. Classwise analysis showed that cost A1, cost A2, cost BI, cost B2, cost C1 and cost C2 per hectare in class I were Rs.17490.43, Rs.l7490.43, Rs.17604.95, Rs.25104.95, RS.18591.53 and Rs.26091.53 respectively. In class II, these costs were Rs.21421.30, Rs.21421.30, Rs.21530.10, Rs.29030.10, Rs.23434.27 and Rs.30934.27. In class Ill, corresponding costs were Rs.25942.78, Rs.25942.78, Rs.16063.88, Rs.33563.88, RS.28646.63 and Rs.36146.63. In class IV, the costs were worked out to be Rs.39321.78, Rs.39321.78, Rs.39492.17, Rs.46992.17, Rs.41314.60 and Rs.48814.60 respectively. In class V, these costs were Rs.55782.10, Rs.55782.10, Rs.55950AI, Rs.63450AI, Rs.59433.92 and Rs.66933.92 respectively. For class VI, these costs were estimated to be Rs.79121.36, Rs.79121.36, Rs.79284.25, Rs.86784.25, RS.84700A2 and RS.92200A2 respectively. The average yield from main products of paddy and prawn were 2138.59 kg/ha and 385.25 kg/ha respectively. In class II their yields were 2189.30 kg/ha and 498.67 kg/ha respectively, while in class III the yields estimated to be 2211.25 kg/ha and 655.92 kg/ha from paddy and prawn. The yield obtained from paddy and prawn were 2143.33 kg/ha and 553.20 kg/ha respectively in class IV, and 2174.90 kg/ha and 865.21 kg/ha respectively in class V. In class VI the yield estimated to be 2272 kg/h~ and 1246.26 kg/ha from paddy and prawn respectively. Benefit-cost ratios based on cost A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2 for class I were 1.56, 1.56, 1.54, 1.08, 1.46 and 1.04. In class II, benefit-cost ratios based on these costs were 1.61, 1.61, 1.60, 1.18, 1.47 and 1.12 respectively. For class Ill, benefit-cost ratio were 1.65, 1.65, 1.64, 1.27, 1.50 and 1.19 respectively. In class IV, these were computed to be 1.68, 1.68, 1.67, 1.40, 1.60 and 1.35 respectively, while for class V, these ratios were 1.74, 1.74, 1.73, 1.53, 1.63 and1.45. In class VI, they were estimated to be 1.75, 1.75, 1.74, 1.59, 1.64 and 1.50 respectively based on corresponding costs. The income measures in relation to different cost concepts such as gross income, farm business income, family labour income and net income at cost C1 in class I were Rs.27238.69, Rs.9788.26, Rs.2133.74 and RS.8647.16. These measures were Rs34510.17, Rs.13088.87, Rs.5480.07 and Rs.lI075.90 in class H. In class III they were computed as RsA2912.36, Rs.16964.58, RS.9348A8 and Rs.14265.73. For class IV these income measures were worked out to be Rs65941.55, Rs.26619.77, Rs.18948.38 and Rs.24626.95. In class V, the corresponding figures were Rs.96984.45, Rs.4l200.35, RS.33532.04 and Rs.37548.53 respectively. These incomes were Rs.138544.08, Rs.59422.72, Rs.51759.83 and RS.53843.66 in class VI respectively. Production function analysis was carried out using Cobb-Douglas production function seperately for paddy cum traditional prawn production and paddy cum improved prawn production on per farm and per hectare basis. Per farm estimates of production function for paddy cum improved prawn production revealed that the regression coefficient of only one independent variable, viz., area, was estimated to be positive and significant. The production elasticity of labour, seed, feed, eradicants and manures were found to be positive but non-significant. Analysis of per hectare estimates of production function showed that elasticities of production for labour and seed were negative and non-significant. In both per farm and per hectare functional analysis the two dummy variables and also the intercept of the function were found to be significant which indicate that paddy cum 3 crops of improved prawn culture is more profitable than paddy cum for I and 2 crops of Improved prawn culture. Regarding paddy cum traditional prawn culture per farm estimates of the functions revealed that only the regression coefficient of area was found to be positive and significant. The elasticities of production of labour and seed were estimated to be negative and non-significant. Per hectare estimates of the function revealed that the production elasticity of labour was found to be negative and non- sigrnficant. The production elasticity of seed was found to be significant with negative sign which indicates over use of this input. In both per farm and per hectare functional analysis, the two dummy variables and the intercept of the function found to be significant which indicates the paddy cum 3 crops of traditional prawn culture IS more profitable than paddy cum 1 or 2 crops of traditional prawn culture. Non-availability of labour and their increased cost formed the major constraint to both paddy cum improved prawn culture and paddy cum traditional prawn culture. Problem of submergence followed by higher price of inputs and salinity and acidity were the next important constraints in paddy cum traditional prawn culture. Non-availability of prawn seed/fry followed by submergence and high cost of inputs formed second, third and fourth important constraints in paddy cum improved prawn culture. Salinity and acidity formed the fifth important constraint in the case of paddy cum improved prawn culture.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.ThesisItem Open Access Income savings and capital formation in farm households of Kodakara development block(Department of Agricultural Economics, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1996) Prema, A; KAU; Thomas, E KThe present investigation on income, savings and capital formation in farm households of Kodakara development block was undertaken during the agricultural year 1994-95. The study aimed at analyzing the various sources and amounts of income, estimating the costs and associated variables influencing the income and savings pattern, to assess the capital output ratio on farms and to identify the constraints influencing capital formation. Data for the study was generated through a sample survey of 120 farm households. Three stage random sampling was adopted for the study. Suitable statistical techniques were employed in the analysis of data. The average income of the sample households worked out to Rs.39019.30 of which 27.60 per cent was from farm income and 72.40 was contributed by non farm income. Farm income comprised of income from crop (78.05 %), livestock (20.00 %) and others like sale of farm assets etc. (1.95 %). Services (88.55 %) and business (10.07 %) contributed to the non-farm income of the households. Gross farm income, farm business income, family labour income and net income were Rs.16061.20, Rs.9368.85, Rs.7890.70 and Rs.8743.55 respectively. The benefit –cost ratio of the farms worked out to 1.79 and the capital output ratio was 3.08. Average expenditure of farm households was Rs.29507.70 of which crops accounted for 22.70 per cent, livestock 10.50 per cent and consumption 64.80 per cent. Food items accounted for 69.05 per cent of the consumption expenditure of farm households and it was observed that as the farm size and family size increased, the percentage expenditure on food decreased. The disparity in non-farm income was observed to be higher than the disparity in farm income and it decreased with increase in farm size. The saving pattern showed that 81.67 per cent, 67.5%, 56.87 per cent, 35.83 per cent and 76.07 per cent of the farm households had accounts (transaction with) in co-operatives, commercial banks, post offices, LIC, kurries and chitties. Savings of sample household amounted to Rs.9511.60 which was 24.40 per cent of the total income. Path analysis identified non-farm income, net farm income and family expenditure as the three important variables with substantial direct effect on savings. The asset structure of the sample farm households showed that land was the major item of asset. If land, residential building and household durables were excluded, wells and tanks followed by livestock occupied the major portion of his asset. Purchase of irrigation appliances and livestock were the major item of capital formation in the farms. The rate of capital formation increased as the farm size increased. High consumption expenditure, followed by non-availability of labour and high wage rate were perceived by the respondents as the important constraints to capital formation in the study area. High price of inputs followed by low product price formed the fourth and fifth important constraints. Unemployment of educated youth and lack of irrigation facilities were also remarked as constraints to capital formation.ThesisItem Open Access Orchid and anthurium industry in Kerala -A study of homescale units(Department of Agricultural Economics, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1999) Prakash Kumar Karn; KAU; Indira Devi, POrchid and anthurium are identified as the most important flowers with commercial potential suitable for the state. Present study was aimed to investigate the economics of commercial production and marketing of orchid and anthurium in Kerala and to identify the constraints and analyze future prospects of these two crops in the State. The study was conducted with a sample of 80 growers for each crop. Percentage analysis and capital productivity analysis were used to analyze the data. Orchid and anthurium growing units have been studied across three scales of operation, viz., small (upto 500 plants: G-I), medium (500 to 1000 plants: G-II) and large (above 1000 plants: G-I1I) for a standard of 100 plants in each categories. 1. Orchid Total cost of cultivation for five years was estimated to be Rs. 17,471 of which about 57.28 per cent was the establishment cost. Per unit cost of cultivation is found increasing towards smaller scale of operation. The total return realized over crop life is found to be about Rs. 36,088. Higher returns were realized from larger scale of operation - varying from Rs. 33,240 to Rs. 40,060. The estimated project worth parameters were well above acceptance level in all the groups. On an average, pay back period was estimated as three years, net present value as Rs. 9,345, benefit cost ratio as 1.61 and the internal rate of return as 39 per cent. 2. Anthurium. Per unit cost of cultivation of anthurium was little higher than that of orchid and showed similar cost structure and increasing pattern towards smaller groups. Total cost of cultivation for five years was estimated to be Rs. 19,153, about 57.28 per cent of which was the establishment cost. The total return realized over crop life was found to be Rs. 46,236. It varied from Rs. 43,474 to Rs. 53,037 in different scales of operation. The pay back period of anthurium enterprise was also estimated to be between two and three years, net present worth as Rs. 13,767, benefit . cost ratio as 1.82 and internal rate of return as 43 per cent. Capital productivity analysis of orchid and anthurium showed both the enterprises to be profitable at all the levels (scale of operation), however, larger units were seen comparatively more efficient and profitable than smaller ones. In both orchid and anthurium, on an average, female labour force contributed about two-third of the tota1labour use. Proportions of female labour as well as family labour were found higher towards smaller scale of operation. Sensitivity analysis revealed that orchid and anthurium farming are capable of remaining profitable even if the costs increase by 20 per cent. A decline of 20 per cent in benefits turned the smallest sized group (G-I) of orchid uneconomic, though all other groups in both flower crops performed well. A decline in benefit is observed to have more adverse influence on project worthiness of both the crops than increase in costs by same percentage. Marketing of both the flowers was almost similar as they were usually sold together. Out of four marketing channels identified, the most important one was "Producer ---+ Local florist ---+ Consumers", through which bulk of the produce moved. The most significant problem faced by orchid and anthurium growers, especially smaller sized units, was irregular market for their products. High level of intra-farm varietal diversity resulted in non- uniform flowers which are in inadequate quantity. Effective production planning and marketing management are the key sectors of development.
