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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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2013 - 20153
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Subject: Agricultural Economics × End date: 2015 × Start date: 2000 × Thesis Type: Ph.D ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Economic valuation of mangrove ecosystems in Kerala
    (Department of Agricultural Economics, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2013) Hema, M; KAU; Indira Devi, P.
    Mangroves are invaluable treasure o f our biodiversity with immense ecological and economic significance. But mangroves wealth of the world is depleting at an annual rate of -0. 34 per cent. Mangroves in Kerala, constitute 0.3 per cent o f that in India, is reported to be high in species diversity. The available reports indicate the depleting status o f the ecosystem in Kerala too. The socio-economic and ecological significance o f this ecosystem is to be studied in detail for assisting policy decisions when confronted with the conservation-development debate. This study was undertaken in this background. The study identified the stakeholders o f mangrove ecosystems o f Kerala and quantified the level o f dependence o f local communities for their livelihood and estimated the aggregate demand for products and services. Further, it identified and quantified the relative influence o f socioeconomic, institutional, climatic and anthropogenic forces on the destruction of mangroves and finally assessed the Total Economic Value (TEV) o f mangrove system and suggested policy prescriptions for the conservation and management of mangroves in Kerala. The study was conducted in the mangrove areas o f Emakulam and Kannur districts of Kerala. These two districts accounted for nearly 65 per cent o f the mangroves o f the state. The study was based on primary and secondary data. The primary data was gathered from 480 respondents belonging to four identified stakeholder groups (residents, fishermen, paddy farmers and general public), selected through simple random sampling method. Data was collected through personal interview using structured pretested interview schedule along with direct observation. The major tools of data analysis were Contingent Valuation Method (CVM) and Choice experiment. The data collection was conducted during June 2012 to January 2013. I Four stakeholder groups o f the mangrove ecosystem in the study area were residents living close to mangroves (<1 km from mangroves), fishermen (inland fishermen and women, engaged in shell mining and clam collection, shrimp farmers), paddy farmers (Pokkali and Kaippad) and general public (resides away from the mangroves). The residents were depending on the mangroves for extraction o f fuel wood, fodder and poles. On an average the level o f extraction was 307 kg o f fuel wood, 1024 kg of fodder and 14(no.) o f poles per year valued at X 4628/household. This amounted to 3 per cent o f their annual household income. The major species o f fish catch by the fishermen were Etroplus, shrimp, crab and Tilapia which was quantified at 1553 kg/ year valued at X 1,41,045. Shell mining which was found to be a major economic activity in Kannur region could generate an income of X 30,000/annum through the extraction and sale o f 7500 kg o f shells. Clam collected was quantified at 225 kg/year valued at X 5625. Thus, the average gross income from these activities was estimated at X 1,77,164 per year which was the main source o f income for the household. About 8 per cent of the fishermen were involved in shrimp farming and were mainly from Kannur district. The size o f the farm varied from 0.4 to 2 ha. The input cost/ha was X 2.8 lakhs which includes cost o f seed, feed, lime and water management. Labour cost was estimated at X 77,000. Hence total cost and returns o f shrimp farming/ha was X 3.27 and 4.75 lakhs respectively with net income o f ? 1.48 lakhs. Pokkali and Kaippad agricultural systems are proved to be closely interconnected with the:.mangrove ecosystem and the per hectare gross returns was X 60,007 and X 40,935 respectively. This amounted to average 30 per cent o f their household income. The respondents’ perception on the pattern of change and the major factors that effected the change in mangrove ecosystem was studied based on their responses. 46 per cent o f the respondents were o f the opinion that the mangrove ecosystem has declined over years and facing threat. The major factors responsible for the same were reported as anthropogenic, climatic forces and status o f property rights. The 11 developmental interventions like LNG Petronet Terminal, Puthuvypeen and ICTT Vallarpadam has resulted in large scale conversion o f mangrove areas. The contradictory forces o f development and conservation led to destruction of mangrove ecosystem. One fifth respondents opined that climatic factors were responsible for the decline. Nearly 85 per cent of the mangroves in the state were reported to be under private ownership and rest under public. The property right status along with economic status influences the rate o f depletion. The legal interventions and community and institutional efforts also influence the status of mangroves, most often positively. The economic valuation of ecological benefits o f mangroves was attempted employing the Contingent Valuation Method. The respondents expressed their willingness to contribute towards conservation both in cash and kind (cash payment and manual participation as labour and as volunteer in awareness programmes) and in combination. The average WTP expressed by the respondents was f 2308/annum the range being ? 50-28,870. The TEV of the mangrove ecosystem of the state was thus ? 1,17,947 million, which was 0.14 per cent ofthe GSDP (2011-12). A socially preferred management plan was identified among a set of alternatives, employing the choice experiment method. Among the management options given, the stakeholders preferred community management (41.6%) followed by public management (29.2%) and status quo (21.4%). The community management of the mangrove ecosystem provides opportunity for the local community to participate in management decision process. At the same time, the importance o f public funding for such activities is revealed in the analysis. The study suggests initiating scientific attempts on realistic area estimation and mapping o f the mangrove resources in the state. There should be attempts to identify and classify the species and document the traditional wisdom associated with them. Region specific studies are needed to establish and quantify the extent of association between mangrove ecosystem and the livelihood activities of local communities. The TEV justifies the increased resources allocation for the conservation efforts. Further, the implementation of community management system as institutional form for mangrove management in the state is suggested.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Market access for smallholder tomato farmers in Mashonaland East Province of Zimbabwe: an economic analysis
    (Department of Agricultural Economics, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2014) Emmanuel Zivenge; KAU; Jesy Thomas, K
    Linking small primary producers with markets has been identified as one of the major issues in policy and practice in improving livelihoods for millions of poor in Zimbabwe. Hence this study assessed the current market situation as a way of tracking and tracing efficacy and efficiency failures leading to more informed decision making with regard to redesigning of the matching market for smallholder farmers. The objectives of the study were to identify the tomato supply chains, analyse the price behaviour of tomato, assess the economic performance of the major supply chains, evaluate the institutional innovations in the supply chains and suggest viable supply chain options for smallholder tomato farmers in Zimbabwe. Tomato crop was chosen for the study as it is among the most important vegetables grown by smallholder. The study was based on both primary and secondary data. The study was conducted in Mashonaland East Province. Primary data were collected by means of formal interviews and structured questionnaire from farmers, market-intermediaries and government officials. Multi-stage random sampling technique was used for sample selection. Descriptive analysis was employed to provide a snap shot of the situation under study, which consisted of household level information. The Random Utility Model was employed to determine the factors which significantly influence the market accessibility. The price behaviour was studied using the techniques of classical time series. The Supply chain mapping was done to identify the actors. The study employed Data envelopment analysis to assess economic performance of supply chains and allocation of resources. Volume mapping results indicated that the supply chain, which involved hawkers, was handling the largest volume of tomatoes approximately 409.4 tonnes in one production cycle in 2013 season. The chain that included wholesalers/processors was the least in terms of quantity handled (39.4 tons) showing that it was not accessible. Data envelopment analysis results indicated that the chain that included wholesalers and processors was the only efficient chain when constant return to scale was assumed. Supermarket chain was efficient when variable returns to scale was assumed. The chains that included passers-by and hawkers were inefficient under both constant returns to scale and variable returns to scale technologies. The seasonal index results showed that the tomato prices were highest and lowest in July and November respectively when prices were 31 percent higher than the annual average price and 43 percent below the annual average' price. Spatial markets were not efficient in the short run although showing stable equilibrium in the long run. The price changes were transmitted from one market to another at a rate between 22 percent and 24 percent in the short run which proved to be low. There was no centre market among six municipal markets since price changes were to be set around more than one market. Random Utility model results showed that credit, greenhouse and cooperative membership were significantly influencing participation of smallholder farmers in formal markets. Data envelopment analysis results showed that farmer, on average could reduce input consumption by 12 percent and 27 percent at production and marketing stages respectively. The study concluded that the opportunities to improve profits lie in the marketing perspectives rather than production for tomato producers under study. Farmers can gain better income by reducing consumption of inputs without necessarily asking for high prices. The higher market price cannot compensate the value loss incurred by the high level of transaction costs. Tomato producers should pursue the low transaction costs marketing chains rather than ask for a higher market price. The chain that included hawkers should be given due attention and modem matket infrastructures should be established in rural areas in order to relay reliable, relevant and correct information to the farmers.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Ecosystem valuation of wetlands: a case study of Vellayani lake
    (Department of Agricultural Economics, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2015) Aswathy, Vijayan; KAU; Elsamma, Job
    The study entitled “Ecosystem Valuation of Wetlands: A Case Study of Vellayani Lake” was conducted during the year 2013- 2014 at College of Agriculture, Vellayani. The major objective of the study was to assess the Total Economic Value (TEV) of the Vellayani lake. The main ecosystem services provided by the lake system were provisioning services such as drinking water, fishing, duck rearing, lotus collection, irrigation, bathing and washing; regulatory services such as ground water recharge, stabilising microclimate; cultural services such as bird watching, photography, boat race, religious rituals and training centres in water sports and finally supporting function such as biodiversity conservation. Based on the ecosystem services, relevant stakeholders were identified and valuated using suitable techniques. The income generation activities of the lake such as fishing, lotus collection and duck rearing were valuated using the market price method and it accounted to Rs.1.83 crores year-1. The drinking water supply schemes installed by Kerala Water Authority, Central Public Works Department and College of Agriculture, Vellayani draws nearly 98,677 lakh litres of water from the lake per year, the value of which is Rs. 370.05 crores year-1. Provision of irrigation water by the lake valuated using opportunity cost method accounted to Rs. 20.69 crores year-1. The economic value of bathing and washing in the lake estimated using opportunity cost method was Rs. 0.009 crore year-1. The lake is also a part of religious activities, cultural activities, and recreational activities. The ecosystem service use by Centralized Sports Hostel for Canoeing, Kayaking and Rowing and Ayyankali Boat Race, valuated using public pricing method accounted to Rs.0.24 crore year-1 and Rs.0.07 crore year-1 respectively. People visit the lake for bird watching, photography, enjoying the scenic beauty, enjoy annual boat race and to attend religious ritual, Karkidaka vavubali. The value of recreational and spiritual services valuated using Travel Cost Method was Rs.0.56 crore year-1. The estimation of aesthetic value of the lake employing Hedonic Pricing Method revealed that, the marginal implicit price of getting one cent of land with lake view evaluated at mean property price of Rs. 2,44250/- was Rs. 79171/- and the aesthetic value of the lake was Rs.275.92 crores year-1. This illustrates the preference given by individuals for land with lake view. The monetary valuation of supporting and regulating functions of the lake was done using a double bounded dichotomous choice contingent valuation method. The mean stated Willingness to Pay (WTP) was Rs.225.22 year-1 for local residents. The economic value of the lake estimated using Contingent Valuation Method was Rs.2.91 crores year-1. Thus the Total Economic Value, which is the total value of ecosystem service use of the Vellayani lake estimated by summating the value of goods and services provided by the lake was Rs. 672.28 crore year-1. Analysis of temporal variation in area of the water body indicated a drastic reduction in area from 558.73 ha in 1973 to 243.39 ha in 2011. The reduction in area was not the result of natural geological process alone, but the major reason is irrational human activities due to demographic pressures. Based on the study it was concluded that the major reason for degradation and loss of wetland services provided by Vellayani lake is the lack of awareness on the value of its ecosystem services, non enforcement of property rights and lack of lake management policies. The major anthropogenic stressors on lake are unsustainable agricultural and fishing activities, watershed impact due degradation and destruction of canals carrying water to the lake and habitat modification. Vellayani lake management policy was formulated based on the study suggests the proper enforcement of property rights by bringing the lake under single management authority with statutory powers including members from line department and stakeholders. The authority may address the present threats on the sustainability of the lake and also chalk out action plan for prevention of further degradation. The low WTP by people indicated that conserving the lake with contribution of stakeholders alone is not practical and so at least one rupee per 70 litres may be fixed as cess to realize a minimum of 13.97 crores per year for the lake conservation. This amount is meager when compared to the TEV of the lake per year. Today’s critical need is to recognize the benefits that could be obtained if the lake is managed in an integrated manner. If not properly managed and degradation and loss continue in the same manner, we are going to lose the invaluable services provided by the lake which cannot be replaced by any other means. Management of lake is a very challenging task and requires actions at many levels and involvement of many stakeholders. The recommendations of the study, along with the values of the ecosystem services of the lake, if properly taken care of, may help in developing sustainable strategies for conservation of this unique freshwater source.