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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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20151
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Subject: Agricultural Extension × Author: Akshay, Sasidharan × End date: 2017 × Type: Thesis ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Adoption of organic farming technologies in banana and vegetable crops in kasaragod district
    (Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2015) Akshay, Sasidharan; KAU; Sheiref, A K
    The study entitled ‘Adoption of organic farming technologies in banana and vegetable crops in Kasaragod district’ conducted in Kasaragod district covered 120 respondents with 30 from each Panchayath having maximum area under banana and vegetable crops under organic farming. Objective is to assess the extent of adoption and constraints in the adoption of organic farming technologies by banana and vegetable farmers, analyse the sustainability of cluster based approach of organic farming, constraints perceived by the extension functionaries and the role of KAU in promoting of organic farming in Kasaragod. Nine independent variables viz., age, education, experience in organic farming, area under organic farming, livestock possession, trainings attended, market perception, environmental orientation and information seeking behaviour were selected through judges rating. Dependent variables were awareness, knowledge, attitude and adoption. The result of study revealed that majority of the respondents had medium level of awareness (67%) and (75%), knowledge (70%) and (73%), attitude (72%) and (65%), and adoption (80%) and (72%) in vegetable and banana crops respectively. Results of path analysis of organic vegetable cultivation revealed that educational status, livestock possession, trainings attended, information seeking behaviour had direct effect on awareness. Knowledge of organic vegetable farmers were directly influenced by educational status, trainings attended, market perception and environmental orientation. Educational status, area under organic farming, livestock possession, market perception, and information seeking behaviour had direct effect on the adoption of organic farming technologies by vegetable growers. Livestock possession, trainings attended and environmental orientation had direct effect on all the dependent variables of organic banana cultivation. In addition to that information seeking behaviour had direct effect on awareness. Experience in organic farming and information seeking behaviour had direct effect on the knowledge. Area under organic farming had direct effect on adoption. Major constraints perceived by the extension functionaries were lack of marketing facilities, lack of sufficient funds, non availability of quality inputs, high cost of inputs, yield loss in the initial years, Organic farming programme is implemented through a system of the farmer cluster formed under each Krishi bhavan of the panchayat. The programme is well received and the result indicated that 92 % of the vegetable growers and 60 % of the banana growers had responded high sustainability of this system. Major constraints perceived by the farmers were lack of premium price for organic products, difficulty in selling the produce, high prevalence of pest and diseases, non-availability of quality planting materials, non-availability of organic inputs, high labour charge, and high cost of organic inputs. Kerala Agricultural University plays a vital role in the promotion of organic farming in the state, like publishing an adhoc POP for organic farming, tied-up with FACT for marketing of microbial inoculant and bio fertilizers, production and supply of organic inputs, on-learning programme for organic farming and initiating research and extension works on organic farming. Periodic bulletins from Pesticide Residue Research and Analytical Lab informing the residual level in vegetables acted as a catalyst in the boosting up of organic farming in the state.