Thumbnail Image

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.

Browse

19963
Reset filters
Subject: Agricultural Economics × End date: 1996 × Start date: 1996 × Thesis Type: M.Sc ×
Reset filters

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Economic impact of minor irrigation in Palakkad district
    (Department of Agricultural Economics College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1996) Aji, George C.; Thomas, E K
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen 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, K
    The 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.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen 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 K
    The 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.