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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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20111
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Subject: Agricultural Extension × Author: Chinchu, V S × Start date: 1978 × Thesis Type: M.Sc ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Performance effectiveness of state horticulture mission - Kerala : a case study
    (Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2011) Chinchu, V S; KAU; Padmanabhan, V B
    The National Horticulture Mission (NHM) was launched during the year 2005-06 to provide a thrust to the development of horticulture sector in the country. State Horticulture Mission- Kerala is an organization functioning in the state under the Department of Agriculture, Government of Kerala since November 2005 for the implementation of National Horticulture Mission programme. The organization envisages end to end development of the horticulture sector in the state of Kerala from production to marketing. The study was undertaken with the specific objective of studying the performance effectiveness of State Horticulture Mission-Kerala in terms of achievement of physical and financial targets, stakeholder participation and beneficiary satisfaction and to identify the constraints and formulate a strategy for increasing the effectiveness of the programme. The study was conducted in Thiruvananthapuram district among 31 numbers of implementing officers of State Horticulture Mission schemes and 100 numbers of beneficiary farmers of State Horticulture Mission-Kerala. Secondary data from State Horticulture Mission-Kerala were also depended during the study. The dependent variables in the study were achievement of physical targets, achievement of financial targets, stakeholder participation and beneficiary satisfaction. The independent variables for implementing officers were age, sex, education, rural/urban background, job experience and exposure to internet and IT and the independent variables for beneficiary farmers were age, sex, education, family type, annual income, experience, information source utilization, farm size, innovativeness and adoption. The important findings of the study are listed below. 1. With respect to the physical targets, out of the 15 components, 11 had an achievement percentage of more than 80% and only four components had an achievement percentage lesser than 80%. 2. Similarly, in case of financial targets, out of the 15 components, 11 had an achievement percentage of more than 80% and only four components had an achievement percentage lesser than 80%. 3. Implementing officers have an impressive participation in the implementation of the schemes of State Horticulture Mission-Kerala. 4. The participation of beneficiary farmers in the schemes of State Horticulture Mission-Kerala is very good. 5. Majority of the beneficiaries are satisfied with the activities of State Horticulture Mission-Kerala. 6. Difficulty in the marketing of horticultural produce under SHM-K schemes followed by absence of proper storage facility for horticultural products under SHM-K schemes were found to be the most important constraints by both implementing officers as well as beneficiaries of State Horticulture Mission-Kerala. With regard to the degree of performance effectiveness of State Horticulture Mission-Kerala, the researcher could come to the following conclusions: 1) The achievement of physical and financial targets by State Horticulture Mission-Kerala was impressive. 2) There observed a high degree of participation among both categories of stakeholders of State Horticulture Mission-Kerala, namely, implementing officers and beneficiary farmers. 3) The level of satisfaction of beneficiary farmers of State Horticulture Mission-Kerala was good. The following are the important suggestions from the part of the researcher for the improvement of State Horticulture Mission programme. 1. It would be more beneficial for the farmers if State Horticulture Mission increase their rate of assistance to 50% for the recurring agricultural expenses. 2. State Horticulture Mission-Kerala must establish a greater and direct contact with the farmers of the state. A toll-free number can serve the purpose. 3. State Horticultural Mission-Kerala can explore the idea of forming a task force under its belt. 4. The minimum requirement of land area for implementing the schemes of State Horticulture Mission-Kerala must be reduced. 5. State Horticulture Mission-Kerala must give greater thrust in the storage, value addition and marketing of horticultural produce from small and marginal farmers.