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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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20172
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Subject: Agricultural Engineering × Author: Supritha × Start date: 2000 × Type: Thesis ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Investigations on clamping and climbing mechanisms for the design of semi autonomous areca palm climber
    (Department of Farm Power Machinery and Energy, Kelappaji College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Tavanur, 2017) Supritha; KAU; Shivaji, K P
    Palms are un-branched evergreen trees cultivated mainly for its nuts and one has to climb up the tree for harvesting and other operations like spraying. Considering the difficulty and drudgery involved in this operation different types climbers were developed by researchers and innovators. These climbers essentially consist of two functional mechanisms; the clamping mechanism for gripping the unit to the trunk and climbing mechanism for vertical movement of unit. These developed palm climbers can be categorized based on the type of motion of the unit as continuous, discrete or serpentine and based on the power utilized for actuating the functional components as mechanical or robotic. Further categorization can be done based on the mechanism deployed for the actuating functional components. The biometric properties of areca palm are important for the design optimization and performance of climber. Among the quantifiable biometric properties diameter, variation of diameter along height, height and tilt angle were identified as the critical properties which has direct influence on design and operations. The diameter of areca palm determines the size of gripping unit, shape and dimensions of gripping arms or structures, their spacing and the distance through which the gripping arms are to be moved for locking and unlocking. Tilt angle is critical in optimizing the height of the climbing unit and the maximum relative movement of functional sets of components. The height of palm does not directly influence the design of the climber; it is a major parameter which affects the operation of the robotic climbers. The time required for completing the climbing is directly influenced by the height and when height increases, it will be difficult to see and operate the climber from the ground. By analyzing all these data and the past works related to mechanical and robotic climbers, their suitability and merits and demerits, a preliminary model of semi-autonomous areca palm climber was fabricated. The principle of linear actuators was adapted for the design of the climber by incorporating power screw rods and DC motors. The designed climber has two components, one was gripping unit which will provide to and fro motion to the gripping arms hence the arms grabs the tree. Another component was climbing unit which will provide up and down movement hence the climbing happens. At the beginning, the power was supplied to the lower gripping unit; by the movement of both the arms it grabs/holds the tree. Then the power was supplied to the upper gripping unit. By that both the gripping units grabs the tree trunk tightly. After that, the lower arm releases the contact and moves up by the rotation of main motor. Then lower arm holds the tree trunk, upper arm releases and moves up. This process continues until the desirable height was reached. The arms hold the entire body during climbing. During climbing part of robot was always fixed to the tree trunk. The operation of robot was controlled by wired remote controller. The prototype can be simply installed and controlled on the palm by an inexperienced operator. The device has been tested for its performance and found safe, reliable, and efficient and also reduces the problems in climbing of arecanut tree to a good extend.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Investigations on clamping and climbing mechanisms for the design of semi autonomous areca palm climber
    (Department of Farm power Machinery and Energy, Kelappaji College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Tavanur, 2017) Supritha; KAU; Shivaji, K P