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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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20202
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Subject: Agricultural Extension × Author: Arya Krishna, K G × Author: KAU × End date: 2022 × Start date: 2020 × Type: Thesis ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Livelihood support for tribal population in Kerala through planned assistance: an evaluation of the tribal su plan (TSP) in the agricultural sector
    (Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2020) Arya Krishna, K G; KAU; Jiju P, Alex
    Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP), a strategic policy initiative to secure overall development of the STs, was first introduced in the Fifth Five Year Plan. The focus of TSP is on “securing budgetary allocations for tribal development at least proportionate to their population, in order to bring them at par with other sections of society and to protect them from exploitation.” Tribals require specific attention not only with monetary allocation but also for their rapid socioeconomic development. This requires integrated approach combining all departments in a united manner and not interventions in isolation. The Tribal Sub-Plan envisages reducing gaps between the tribals and non-tribals in health, education, communication and other areas of basic amenities of life by providing legal and administrative support. The Sub-Plan also intends to implement livelihood security schemes to enhance the income of tribals by taking into account their aptitude and skill. In Kerala, tribal sub-plan approach was adopted in 1976, to intensify the tribal development programme of the state. The present study focuses on the extent of livelihood options opened up by TSP projects to tribal farmers and its socio-economic impact in their lives, the institutional changes in the TSP administration, the pattern of outlay and utilization of TSP funds in the agricultural sector and the social and institutional constraints in implementing TSP projects. The study was conducted in Wayanad, Idukki and Palakkad districts of Kerala. Two panchayaths were selected randomly from each of these districts. From each panchayath, 10 tribals and 10 people’s representatives were selected by random sampling, making a total of 120 respondents. The livelihood security of the tribals before and after the implementation of TSP projects was measured using the Livelihood Security Index (LSI). The index scores of the tribals showed that livelihood security of tribals had improved significantly after implementation of TSP projects. However, the three districts were found to have attained almost same level of livelihood security. The status of tribal empowerment which was measured using ‘empowerment index’, showed that the status of empowerment of tribals had not increased significantly and had remained at low level for majority. Analysis of the socio-economic impact of TSP shows significant improvement in the levels of their income, production, savings, education and social participation. Distribution of funds for TSP programs in agricultural sector shows that more funds were allotted to crop cultivation and animal husbandry programmes. Poor communication facilities and illiteracy of tribals were the major constraints experienced by people’s representatives while implementing the TSP programmes. It was also observed that participation of the tribals in developmental activities was very low. High degree of concordance was found to exist among the people’s representatives with regard to the importance ascribed to constraints in implementing TSP programmes . The study highlights that participation of tribals has to be enhanced by government officials while planning tribal development programmes and more efforts have to be taken up to increase the tribal literacy levels. The non-cooperative attitude of tribals towards developmental activities has to be deliberately changed. Emphasis on agriculture should be shifted to varied avenues of income generation to improve their livelihood security.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Livelihood support for tribal population in Kerala through planned assistance: an evaluation of the tribal sub plan (TSP) in the agricultural sector
    (Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Horticulture,Vellanikkara, 2020) Arya Krishna, K G; KAU; Jiju P, Alex
    Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP), a strategic policy initiative to secure overall development of the STs, was first introduced in the Fifth Five Year Plan. The focus of TSP is on “securing budgetary allocations for tribal development at least proportionate to their population, in order to bring them at par with other sections of society and to protect them from exploitation.” Tribals require specific attention not only with monetary allocation but also for their rapid socioeconomic development. This requires integrated approach combining all departments in a united manner and not interventions in isolation. The Tribal Sub-Plan envisages reducing gaps between the tribals and non-tribals in health, education, communication and other areas of basic amenities of life by providing legal and administrative support. The Sub-Plan also intends to implement livelihood security schemes to enhance the income of tribals by taking into account their aptitude and skill. In Kerala, tribal sub-plan approach was adopted in 1976, to intensify the tribal development programme of the state. The present study focuses on the extent of livelihood options opened up by TSP projects to tribal farmers and its socio-economic impact in their lives, the institutional changes in the TSP administration, the pattern of outlay and utilization of TSP funds in the agricultural sector and the social and institutional constraints in implementing TSP projects. The study was conducted in Wayanad, Idukki and Palakkad districts of Kerala. Two panchayaths were selected randomly from each of these districts. From each panchayath, 10 tribals and 10 people’s representatives were selected by random sampling, making a total of 120 respondents. The livelihood security of the tribals before and after the implementation of TSP projects was measured using the Livelihood Security Index (LSI). The index scores of the tribals showed that livelihood security of tribals had improved significantly after implementation of TSP projects. However, the three districts were found to have attained almost same level of livelihood security. The status of tribal empowerment which was measured using ‘empowerment index’, showed that the status of empowerment of tribals had not increased significantly and had remained at low level for majority. Analysis of the socio-economic impact of TSP shows significant improvement in the levels of their income, production, savings, education and social participation. Distribution of funds for TSP programs in agricultural sector shows that more funds were allotted to crop cultivation and animal husbandry programmes. Poor communication facilities and illiteracy of tribals were the major constraints experienced by people’s representatives while implementing the TSP programmes. It was also observed that participation of the tribals in developmental activities was very low. High degree of concordance was found to exist among the people’s representatives with regard to the importance ascribed to constraints in implementing TSP programmes . The study highlights that participation of tribals has to be enhanced by government officials while planning tribal development programmes and more efforts have to be taken up to increase the tribal literacy levels. The non-cooperative attitude of tribals towards developmental activities has to be deliberately changed. Emphasis on agriculture should be shifted to varied avenues of income generation to improve their livelihood security.