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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Open Access
Economics analysis of rice - fish sequential farming system In the low lying paddy fields of Kuttanad,Kerala
(Department of Agricultural Economics, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2001) Shanat Mathew, K; KAU; Joseph, K J
The present study on "Economic analysis of rice-fish sequential farming system in the low lying paddy fields of Kuttanad, Kerala" was aimed to analyse comparative economics of rice monocropping and rice-fish sequential farming systems, to quantity the employment generation capacity of the integrated system and to identify the constraints in the wide spread adoption of rice-fish sequential farming system. The study was undertaken during May - July 2000 and the data pertains to the year 1999. Data for the study was generated through sample survey of farmers by personal interview method using a pretested structured interview schedule. The study was conducted with a sample of 100 farmers for each system of cultivation. Two stage random sampling was adopted for the study. Tabular analysis was used to analyse the data. The cost of cultivation (cost C3) of rice under monocropping (Rs.23419.47 per hectare) and of rice under sequential farming system (Rs.1972S.31 per hectare) Was estimated. For fish, the cost of cultivation per hectare was Rs.6768.39. The major expenditure on input for rice cultivation under both systems and for fish was human labour. In rice monocropping, land preparation was observed to be the most expensive operation, whereas, in sequential farming weeding was the most expensive operation. In the case of fish cultivation, harvesting of fish turned out to be the most cost consuming operation. Gross income per hectare realized from the main as well as by product at the aggregate level was Rs.2S252.50, Rs.28371.00, and Rs.8782.95 for rice (monocropping), rice (sequential farming) and fish respectively. Cost of production per quintal of rice (monocropping) was Rs.64S.16 and for rice (sequential farming) was Rs.482.0S. For fish, cost of production per quintal of fish estimated to be Rs.1538.62. Benefi t cost ratio at cost C3 was found to be highest (1.44) in the rice cultivation under sequential farming. The corresponding figures for rice monocropping and fish were 1.08 and 1.30 respectively. This new system could provide on additional employment of 14.31 mandays per hectare. Even though this new integrated systems was profitable, lack of finance and non co-operation among farmers to an extend hinder the adoption of this practice. The major constraints experienced by the farmers in the cultivation were also identified.
Open Access
Economic Analysis Of Production And Marketing Of Vegetables In Thiruvananthapuram District
(Department of Agricultural Economics, College of Horticulture,Vellanikkara, 2001) Nagesh, S S; KAU; Rageena, S
The present study on "Economic analysis of production and marketing of vegetables in Thiruvananthapuram district" was conducted with a view to examine the costs and returns of vegetable cultivation, employment generation, marketing efficiency, technical efficiency and problems encountered in production and marketing of vegetables. A comparative study of vegetable growers of KHDP and IVDP was also carried out. The data pertains to the year 1999-2000. The total explicit costs for IVDP and KHDP snakegourd growers were Rs. 62711.60 and Rs. 61448.40 respectively. Total implicit cost was worked out at Rs. 64956.90 and Rs. 58140.20 respectively for IVDP and KHDP growers. Bitter gourd was the only crop, which recorded a benefit-cost ratio higher than one at cost C3. The total cost of cultivation (Cost C3) ranged from the lowest of Rs. 64313.70 for amaranth us to as high as Rs. 134135.60 for bittergourd. Bittergourd was the most remunerative crop in the area with a gross return of Rs. 206065.20 for KHDP and a benefit cost ratio of 1.53 at cost C3. Cost of organic manure occupied the highest share of the total cost of cultivation of all the three crops. The KHDP bittergourd growers showed an estimated mean technical efficiency of 80 per cent and for IVDP growers it was 71 per cent. In the study area most of the vegetable producers marketed their produce in the markets in Thiruvananthapuram city. The marketing efficiency was highest for bittergourd (l.99) followed by snake gourd (l.31) and amaranthus (0.83). The major constraints experienced in cultivation were incidence of pests and diseases, unavailability of quality seeds at reasonable cost, lack of credit availability and lack of .marketing facilities.
Open Access
Economic analysis of production and marketing of cashew nut in Kerala
(Department of Agricultural Economics, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2001) Shibu, Sebastian; KAU; Jessy, Thomas K
The present study on the economic analysis of production and marketing of cashewnut in Kerala was aimed to examine the supply response of cashew nuts, to study the marketing channels and margins and to identify the constraints experienced by the producers in the production and marketing of cashew nuts. The growth rate analysis using exponential function revealed that during the whole period under study (1952-53 to 1999-2000), the area under cashew expanded by 2.22 per cent per annum. Period wise analysis showed a significant increase in area by 5.97 per cent per annum in the first period followed by a decline by 1.82 per cent in the second period (1976-77 to 1999-2000). Regarding production, a low growth rate of 0.02 per cent per annum was observed during the whole period while the first period registered a growth rate of 3.76 per cent per annum and a decline by 1.18 per cent in the second period. But the productivity showed a decrease by 2.11 per cent in the whole period. The first sub- period registered a decline in productivity by 2.08 per cent while the second period recorded a slight increase by 0.87 per cent per annum. The analysis using linked exponential model also yielded more or less similar results. The producers' response to price and non price factors was examined by studying the response in terms of area and yield. The analysis revealed that the price of cashew did not have a significant impact on yield, while the relative yield showed a positive and significant influence on yield. The relative price and the price of rubber showed a significant influence on area under cashew. The annual maintenance cost at the aggregate level was computed to Rs.7709.77 per hectare. The material cost was worked out to Rs.1765.89 and labour cost was computed to Rs.5943.88. The gross and net returns per hectare at the aggregate level was worked out to Rs.21427 and RS.13717.23 respectively. The major marketing channels identified in the study were 'Producer-village trader-primary wholesaler-secondary wholesaler-processor', 'Producer-primary wholesaler-secondary wholesaler-processor' and 'Producer-secondary wholesaler-processor'. The producers' net share in the processors' revenue was estimated to 48.26, 48.58 and 48.92 per cent respectively in marketing channels I, II and Ill. Marketing efficiency indices for channels I, II and III were computed to 1.86, 1.88 and 1.90 respectively. The constraint analysis revealed that pests, diseases and low price of the produce were the most important problems faced by the producers in the study area.
Open Access
Analysis of market economy of medicinal plants in Kerala
(Department of Agricultural Economics, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2001) Joby Joseph, M; KAU; Indira Devi, P
The present investigation on analysis of market economy of medicinal plants in Kerala was undertaken during the year 1999-2001. The study aimed at identifying the major medicinal plants (in quantity and value terms) of pharmaceutical use in Kerala, the form in which it is demanded and the source and the extent of supply. The study is based on a sample of seven pharmacies, accounting for 68 percent of the total turnover of the industry. There are around 30 major wholesale traders of medicinal plants in the state and bulk of the business is handled by five traders and all of them in Thrissur district. From them, the information on price of important species, sources, plant part traded and other relevant details were gathered. Exports of ayurvedic and unani herbs have registered a steady increase, especially after 1996 and are reported to the tune of 9585.70 tonnes in 1999-2000. The major destinations of export of ayurvedic and unani herbs are Chinese Taipei (28.10%) Japan (26.38%), and Pakistan (19.04%). The major share of foreign exchange earnings from export of ayurvedic and unani plants is contributed by Pakistan (20.15%) followed by Japan (16.8%) and Chinese Taipei (13.6%). Nepal and Pakistan are the major countries from where ayurvedic and unani herbs are imported to India. They together account for 72.83 per cent of total imports of the country. The net balance of trade shows a fluctuating trend. It was declined from Rs.3247.27 lakhs in 1998-’99 to Rs.1201.24 lakhs in 1999-’00 and from 926.26 lakhs in 1993-94 to 671.82 lakhs in 1994-95. The major ten species of medicinal plants selected based on the magnitude of quantity procured per annum by the seven sample pharmacies are arranged in the descending order of importance. 1) Sida Spp. 2) Tinospora cordifolia. 3) Terminalia chebula. 4) Withania somnifera. 5) Adhatoda sp. 6) Cedrus deodera. 7) Cyperus rotundus. 8) Woodfordia fruiticosa. 9) Boerhaavia ditffusa. 10) Aegle marmelos. The annual compound growth in the consumption of medicinal plants varies from 4.19 per cent in Boerhaavia diffusa to 9.31 per cent in Aegle marmelos. The coefficient of variation in the price of major medicinal plants ranges from 8.62 per cent in Boerhaavia diffusa to 29.89 percent in the case of Terminalia chibula. The price elasticity of demand of all the medicinal plants studied were positive, varying from 0.33 per cent in the case of Boerhaavia diffusa to 3.31 in the case of Terminalia chibula. The ratio estimates of value of the medicinal plants traded indicate that Sida is the medicinal plant procured with highest total value followed by Withania. Aegle occupied the lowest both in respect of quantity and value. Estimates of scarcity ratio for Sida (2.79), Aegle (0.49) and Boerhaavia (6.82) were positive, which highlighted the relative scarcity of these plants. The major medicinal plants selected based on the unit prices procured by sample pharmacies are arranged in the descending order, 1. Aconitum heterophylum. 2. Lodolcea seychellarum 3. Crocus sativus. 4. Anacyclus pyrethrum. 5. Holstemma ada-kodien. 6. Kaempferia rotunda. 7. Piper longum. 8. Commiphora mukul. 9. Cinnamomum camphora. 10. Trichosanthes cucumerina. In the marketing scene, among the major channels identified, Tribals – Commission Agent – Trader/Dealer – Ayurvedic manufacturing units is found to be the main marketing channel through which major portion of the medicinal plants are marketed in the state (60-65%). The market for medicinal plant in the state is controlled by a few traders and pharmacies. The inadequate quality control mechanism both at product level and input level of ayurvedic industry is one of the major problems. This study has listed out the important constraints by the industry. However more concerted study is recommended to further elaborate the issues, among other recommendations.
Open Access
Economic analysis of cool season vegetables in Devikulam block of Idukki District
(Department of Agricultural Economics, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2001) Karthikeyan, N; KAU; Thomas, E K
The present study on the economic analysis of production and marketing of cool season vegetables in Devikulam block of ldukki district was aimed at analysing the economics of cooi season vegetables like potato, garlic, carrot and cabbage, and to assess the marketing efficiency and constraints faced by the vegetable growers. The study was conducted with a sample of 50 growers per vegetable, Percentage analysis was used to analyse the data and stochastic frontier production function was fitted for analysing technical efficiency. Cost Ab Cost BJ, Cost Cl and Cost C3 per hectare were Rs.25951.1 0, Rs.26438.09, Rs.32155.06 and Rs.35370.56 respectively for potato. The figures in the same order were Rs.22021.50, Rs.22333.93, Rs.31490.92 and Rs.34640.0 1 for garlic. The corresponding figures were Rs.18550.94, Rs.18903.04, Rs.27786.99 and Rs.30565.69 respectively for carrot. The figures were Rs.16239.85, Rs.16579.76, Rs.25243.88 and Rs.27768.27 respectively for cabbage in same order. The outputs per hectare were 8563.22 kg in the case of potato and for garlic, carrot and cabbage the same was 3016.63 kg, 5878.56 kg and 16360.11 kg respectively. The gross values of output per hectare at the prevailing price were RsA8698.68, Rs.37117.38, Rs.35039.98 and Rs.28948.39 for potato, garlic, carrot and cabbage in respective order. Costs of production per quintal of potato based on Cost A 1, Cost Bb Cost Cl and Cost C3 were Rs.303.05, Rs.308.74, Rs.375.50 and RsA13.05 respectively. For garlic, the figures were Rs.73 1.46, Rs.741.84, Rs.I045.99 and Rs.1150.59 in same order. The corresponding figures were Rs.315.57, Rs.321.56, RsA 72.68 and Rs.519.95 for carrot. The figures in same order for cabbage were Rs.99.26, Rs.I01.34, RS.154.30 and Rs.169.73. Farm business income in Rs per hectare for potato was 22747.58 and the same was 15095.88, 16489.04 and 12708.54 respectively for garlic, carrot and cabbage. Family labour incomes Rs per hectare for potato, garlic, carrot and cabbage were 22260.59, 14783.45, 16136.94 and 12368.63 respectively for potato, garlic, carrot and cabbage. Farm investment incomes Rs per hectare for potato. garlic, carrot and cabbage were 17030.62, 9378.92, 7605.09 and 5138.64 respectively. The net income Rs per hectare was 13328.12 for potato, 2477.3 7 for garlic, 4474.29 for carrot and 2383.77 for cabbage. Benefit cost ratios based on Cost Ab Cost Bb Cost Cl and Cost C3 were 1.88, 1.84, 1.51 and 1.38 respectively for potato. The figures in same order were 1.69, 1.66, 1.18 and 1.07 respectively for garlic. The corresponding figures were 1.89, 1.85, ].26 and 1.15 respectively for carrot and the same figures were 1.78. 1.75, 1.20 and 1.09 respectively for cabbage. Bulk line cost in Rs per q was 514.48, 1518.99, 709.99 and 199.57 respectively for potato garlic, carrot and cabbage. The average technical efficiencies of potato, garlic, carrot and cabbage were 0.78. 0.80,0.71 and 0.63 respectively. The major marketing channel identified was Producer-Village merchant-Commission agent-Wbolesaler-Retailer-Consumer. The producer's share in consumer's rupee was Rs.5.89- (49.86 per cent) for potato and the same was Rs.I2.S0 (43.46 per cent) for garlic, Rs.6.12 (60.12 per cent) for carrot and Rs.2.17 (42.14 per cent) for cabbage. The index of marketing efficiency was the highest for carrot (1.53) followed by potato (1.49), garlic (0.77) and cabbage (0.73). Low price for the produce was the most important problem faced by the fanners of cool season vegetables in the study area.
Open Access
Economics of production and marketing of coconut in central region of Kerala
(Department of Agricultural Economics, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2001) Santhosh Narayan; KAU; Latha Bastine, C
This study entitled "Economics! of production and marketing of coconut in central region of Kerala" was conducted in the Ernakulam, Thrissur and Palakkaddistricts of central region of Kerala. The objectives were to estimate cost of production of coconut, to study the marketing details of the sample farmers and the general problems encountered by the coconut growers. Multistage random sampling technique was adopted. A total sample of 216 farmers was selected having palms of different age groups. The groups based on age were, farmers having-one year old, 2 to 3 year old, 4 to 7 year old, 8 to 14 year old, 15 to 40 years old and greater than 40 years old coconut gardens. Two farmers each from the first four categories and five farmers each from the last four categories were selected for the study. Most of the farmers procured seedlings from their own farm. All the ssample farmers were found to apply organic manure in their farms. Considering the nutrients N,P,K together, it was observed that the nutrient application was lower than the recommendation of Package of Practices of Kerala Agricultural University. Husk burial was a very rare practice in the study area. The cost of establishment of coconut for seven years was worked out to Rs.l4126.32 for C-I (one year old), Rs. 13436.35 for C-II (2 to 3 years old) and Rs. 14432.99 for C-III (4 to 7 years old) for one hectare of coconut garden. On an aggregate cost of maintenance for yielding categories was worked out to Rs. 18896.74 per hectare. The cost of maintenance worked out for C-IV (8 to 14 years old) was Rs. 19058.82, for C-V (15 to 40 years old) Rs. 19599.24 and for C- VI (greater than 40 years old) Rs. 17811.84 per hectare. Labour utilization pattern showed that more hired labour (60.64%) was used compared to family labour (39.36%) in the coconut gardens of central region of Kerala. On an aggregate, productivity of 52.68 nuts per palm per year was estimated in the central region. The cost of production was worked to Rs.3.54 per nut for the central region of Kerala. Capital productivity analysis revealed a pay back period of 13 years, net present value of Rs. 1946.38 at 14 per cent opportunity cost of capital. Benefit cost ratio was just 1.02 while internal rate of return (14.29%) was just above the opportunity cost of capital. The project worth measures indicate a bankable project. But the project worth measures are just above the critical decision level and hence are very much sensitive even to a slight fall in returns or spurt in cost of the farmers indicating that coconut cultivation as such is not a much promising _enterprise. Majority of the farmers was selling unhusked nuts constituting 51.40 per cent of the total sample farmers. The major marketing channel identified was producer-copra maker-oil miller-wholesaler-retailer-consumer. The share of producer in consumers' rupee came to 60.58 per cent. Price spread was estimated as 39.42 per cent of consumers' rupee. The main constraints ranked by the farmers in the study region is that of low and abnormally fluctuating market price of coconut followed by pest and disease incidence. Mainly ignorance of the recommended practices and their advantages as well' as inherited time tested knowledge that made farmer understand the best method for their particular region resulted in incomplete adoption or non adoption of the recommended scientific practices by the Kerala Agricultural University. The need of the day is to implement new ideas and concepts in the cultivation to marketing and processing aspects, which will be cost effective, competitive and viable in this era of stiff competition of products and its substitutes.

Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur

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