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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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Subject: Agricultural Extension × Author: Ahaljith, R × Author: KAU × End date: 2019 × Start date: 2018 × Type: Thesis ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Sustainability and challenges in cultivation of traditional rice varieties in Kerala
    (Department of Agriculturel Extension, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2019) Ahaljith, R; KAU; Jayasree Krishnankutty
    Traditional agriculture comprises systems of agriculture practiced in a locality, using knowledge handed down through generations and evolved to suit the special features of that location. Special type of planting, crop maintenance, input application, post-harvest practices and folk art related to and synchronising with farming operations are the key characteristics of traditional agriculture. Traditional rice varieties are innately high in nutritive value. Rice varieties like Jeerakasala, Gandhakasala, the indigenous scented varieties, once popularly cultivated almost everywhere in the state of Kerala, vanished from the scene as times changed. But now, they are again coming back to a small extent in selected pockets in the state, subsequent to promotion efforts by governmental and non-governmental agencies. The traditional varieties are invaluable, not only for marketing or consumption purpose but also as a tool for genetic resource development and conservation. Cultivation of these varieties is environment friendly, they enhance food security and protection of natural resources. In this view the present study entitled "Sustainability and challenges in cultivation of traditional rice varieties of Kerala" was taken up in the department of Agricultural Extension , College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, during 2017-19. The study was formulated with the objectives to explore into the history of the traditional rice cultivation in selected locations in Kerala along with personal and social attributes of the people who undertake traditional rice cultivation, to document the crop management, product handling and marketing behaviour of the farmers, to examine the Government and non-government support to them, utilization of the same and the legal recognition if any, of the farmers to analyse the constraints experienced by these fanners, and to come up with suggestions and recommendations to improve the status of the traditional rice cultivating communities of Kerala. The study was carried out in two districts, Wayanad and Malappuram. A total of 90 respondents formed the sample for the study, which constituted 60 respondents from Wayanad district and 30 from Malappuram district selected randomly. Analysis of the personal and social attributes of the people who undertake traditional riee cultivation revealed that traditional rice cultivation is manly handled by middle aged to older generation (more than 85.00% of respondents) with agriculture as the main occupation. More than 87.00 per cent of the respondents were males. Majority of the respondents (65.00%) had high school level education. Average educational status was higher in Malappuram district (SSLC level) compared to Wayanad district (below SSLC level). Sixty percentage of the respondents had more than thirty years of farming experience. Respondents in Wayanad district had more farming experience compared to Malappuram district. 85.52 per cent of respondents were belonging to the marginal farmer category which implies the general land holding capacity in Kerala. More than 60.00 per cent of respondents were staying in less than 6 km distance to town. This points towards the general urbanising trend in Kerala. Majority of the respondents (70.00%) were selling more than 40.00 per cent of their produce. Number of respondents, selling more than 80.00 per cent of their produce were less in Wayanad district compared to Malappuram due to shortfalls in Supplyco procurement whereas household eonsumption was comparatively higher in Wayanad district compared to Malappuram distriet. Majority of the marginal farmers were selling only around 40.00 per cent of their produce whereas small, medium, semi medium and large farmers were selling large quantity of produce (>80.00%) compared to marginal farmers. In the case of marketing behaviour, majority of the farmers were positioned in the medium level. Marketing behaviour index had a significant relationship with age, gender, educational qualification, occupation, farming experience and volume of produce marketed. Higher educational qualification had a great role in marketing behaviour development among farmers, so respondents in Malappuram district had high marketing behaviour index compared to Wayanad, because they had higher educational status. Respondents working in other sector had high marketing behaviour index compared to respondents under farming alone. None of the respondents had legal recognition status as registered farmer. Due to lack of proper financial, technical and legal support, farmers had the tendency to shift to banana cultivation. Shortage of skilled labour, transportation facilities and irrigation facilities were the main constraints faced by the traditional rice farmers. Threats from wild animals was the main problem faced by farmers in Wayanad district. There should be a mechanism for registration and official recognition of traditional rice varieties. They should have a separate marketing mechanism, which will ensure better price and improve visibility to consumers. It is imperative that. State Department led schemes should be designed and implemented to promote traditional rice cultivation. Milling facilities that will help preserving the quality and appearance of traditional rice should be established. Educating the farmers on current and future legal and government support mechanisms for traditional rice will motivate the farmers to remain in traditional agriculture. Mitigation strategies to control threat of wild animals will help conservations of these systems in such areas. Improvement in irrigation facilities and individual farmers' access to economic transport and storage facilities will also generally help traditional farming systems.