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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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ThesisItem Open Access Evaluative perception of appropriateness of the recommended fertiliser management practices(Department of Agricultural extension, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1989) Rasheed Sulaiman, V; KAU; Muraleedhara Prasad, RA study was undertaken to investigate into the extent of knowledge, extent of adoption and evaluative perception of appropriateness of the recommended fertilizer management practices among rice farmers (n=200) and Agricultural Demonstrators (n=54) in Palghat and Cannanore Districts of Kerala State. The study revealed that farmers of Palghat and Cannanore differed significantly with respect to their knowledge and adoption of fertiliser management practices with farmers of Palaghat having higher level of knowledge and adoptionThesisItem Open Access Analysis of the effectiveness of national demonstraions conducted by the Kerala agricultural university(Department of Agricultural extension, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1988) Syamala, K S; KAU; Balakrishnan, CWith a view to study the effectiveness of the National Demonstrations on the behaviour of farmers, the present investigation was undertaken under the title “An analysis of the effectiveness of National Demonstrations Conducted by the Kerala Agricultural University”. Effectiveness was measured in terms of the farmers’ knowing about, attitude towards the adoption of the demonstrated cultivation practices of paddy and their attitude towards the National Demonstration program. The farmers’ perception about the methodology followed in the conduct of the demonstrations and the constraints experienced by the farmer-demonstrations in conducting National Demonstrations were also analysed. The study was conducted in Quilon district where the program is ongoing. The sample consisted of 46 farmer-demonstrators and 100 randomly selected neighboring farmers. Data were collected using interview schedule and suitable statistical techniques were employed in the analysis of the data. The study revealed that the farmer-demonstrators’ knowledge about, attitude towards and adoption of the demonstrated practices were significantly affected by the National Demonstration program. The farmer demonstrators’ attitude towards the program was also favourable. But the effectiveness of the program was much less among the neighboring farmers. The selected independent variables together contributed significantly in the variation in the knowledge about and attitude towards the demonstrated practices of the farmer-demonstrators, but not in their adoption and attitude towards the programme. In the case of neighbouring farmers, the contribution of the selected independent variables in the variation in their knowledge, attitude and adoption of the practices and attitude towards National Demonstration program was significant. The methodology followed in the conduct of the demonstrations was not satisfactory as perceived by the farmers. The results of the constraint analysis also pointed out that follow-up, trainings and field days were given the least attention. The results point out to the need for proper planning and improvement in every step in the conduct of the programme to reach its cherished goals.ThesisItem Open Access Training programmes of Kerala agricultural university krishi vignan kendras- an analysis(Department of Agricultural extension, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1987) Sanjeev, K V; KAU; Thiagarajan Nair, GA study was conducted in Palghat and Wynad district to analyse the training programmes undertaken by Krishi Vignan Kendras at Pattambi and Ambalavayal. Impact of training with respect to the knowledge about, attitude towards and adoption of improved paddy cultivation practices was assessed. The study also aimed at identifying the motivational pattern of farmers for participation in training, their perception about training, suggestions for future trainings, and their training needs. Ex-post-facto design was used for the study. Data were collected from 80 trained farmers and 80 untrained farmers from Palghat and Wynad. Statistical analysis was done using non-parametric procedures. The study revealed that participation in training improved the knowledge of farmers about improved paddy cultivation practices, created favourable attitude towards improved paddy cultivation practices and there was increased adoption of the various practices. Of the eight independent variables considered in the study, only farming experience was found to be significantly related to the impact variables and that too only to the knowledge of farmers. Major motives of farmers in attending the training were economic motive, innovativeness, prestige motive and affiliation motive. Among tribal farmers in Wynad, affiliation motive was found to be stronger than prestige motive. Majority of the trained farmers perceived the training to be satisfactory with regard to the time of training, venue of training, use of audio-visual aids, opportunity for field visit and arrangements made at the venue. Training in the farmer’s field was proffered by majority of the farmers to institutional training. They preferred discussion method to lecture method. They wanted to have more of method demonstrations and issue of printed notes and preferred a training duration of one day. Areas in which farmers needed further trainings were high yielding varieties of paddy and their characters, fertilizers and their application and use of plant protection chemicals.ThesisItem Open Access Analysis of the inservice training programme for the personnel of the department of agriculture conducted by the Kerala agricultural university(Department of Agricultural extension, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1987) Santhi, C U; KAU; Menon, A G GA study was undertaken to analyse the selected inservice training programmes conducted by the Kerala Agricultural University for the extension personel of the State Department of Agriculture to assess, 1. the impact of selected inservice training programmes on the professional knowledge of the trainees 2. the perception of the trainees about the treatment and utility of the selected inservice training programmes 3. the perceived effectiveness of training methodology followed in the inservice training programmes and factors related to it 4. the constraints experienced by the trainees, trainers and Course Directors of inservice training programmes conducted by the Kerala Agricultural University. Three selected training programmes namely ‘Training in plant protection for Agricultural Demonstrators’, ‘Training in pulses and oilseeds production technology for Agricultural Officers’ and ‘Training in audio-visual aids and techniques for Assistant Directors of Agriculture were evaluated with the objectives mentioned above. The study revealed that all the three categories of trainee-respondents namely, Agricultural Demonstrators, Agricultural Officers and Assistant Directors showed significant gain in knowledge due to the training programmes. The gain in knowledge due to training was the highest for Assistant Directors of Agriculture, followed by the Agricultural Officers and Agricultural Demonstrators. The independent variables namely; ‘education’, ‘number of previous trainings undergone’, ‘attitude towards extension profession’ and ‘job satisfaction’ of Agricultural Demonstrators were found to be significantly associated with their gain in knowledge. In the case of Agricultural Officers and Assistant Directors none of the independent variables showed significant association with their gain in knowledge. Among the three training programmes the ‘training in plant protection for Agricultural Demonstrators’ had the highest treatment-utility index (58.43), followed by the ‘training in pulses and oilseeds production technology for Agricultural Officers’ and ‘training in audio-visual aids and techniques for Assistant Directors’ for which the treatment – utility indices were 58.27 and 51.42 respectively. Both the Agricultural Demonstrators and Assistant Directors had the highest perception about the training methodology aspect namely ‘Timeliness of information about the training’ where as the Agricultural Officers had highest perception about the ‘Selection of subject matter for training’ in the pre-training stage. ‘The competency of the trainers in general’ was the training methodology aspect which was highly appreciated by the Agricultural Demonstrators in the in-training stage. ‘Opportunities for clarification of doubts’ and ‘opportunities for trainees participation’ were given highest perception scores respectively by the Agricultural Officers and Assistant Directors in the in-training stage. In the post-training stage all the three categories of respondents namely the Agricultural Demonstrators, Agricultural Officers and Assistant Directors had the highest perception about the ‘Monitoring and evaluation of training’. The Agricultural Demonstrators were constrained with the ‘Poor lodging facilities and poor boarding facilities’ provided for them. The ‘Lack of skill practice’, ‘Inadequate practicals’ and ‘Lack of field visits’ were the serious constraints experienced by the Agricultural Officers. The Assistant Directors perceived the ‘Insufficient transportation facilities’ and ‘Non-supply of training literature’ as serious constraints. Both the trainers and Course Directors felt the ‘inadequacy of transportation facilities’ as serious constraint.ThesisItem Open Access Awareness and training needs of officers of the department of agriculture in watershed planning(Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1989) Sheela, L; KAU; Balakrishna Pillai, GA study was undertaken to assess the awareness and training needs of officers of the department of Agriculture in watershed planning. The study was conducted in five districts of Kerala. The respondents were the Junior Soil Conservation Officers (JSCOs) Junior Soil Survey Officers (JSSOs) of the Soil Conservation Unit and Agricultural Officers (AOs) of the department of agriculture. Total sample size was 100 of which 21 were JSCOs, 19 were JSSOs and 60 were AOs. A knowledge test and aptitude scale were constructed for the study. Data were collected with the help of a well constructed interview schedule which was pretested. The data thus collected were subjected to correlation, path analysis, multiple regression etc. to derive the results. The study revealed that more than 47 per cent of the JSCOs possessed high level of awareness in watershed planning. Majority of the respondents among the JSSOs and AOs possessed only low level of awareness in watershed planning. Majority of the JSCOs had high level of knowledge in watershed planning. Only 21 per cent of the JSSOs had high level of knowledge in watershed planning. Same was the case with AOs. Only 33 percent of AOs possessed high level of knowledge in watershed planning. Only 33 per cent of the JSCOs were having a high attitude score regarding watershed planning. About 22 percent of the JSSOs were in the high attitude group and the same numbers of respondents were in the low attitude group. Majority of the AOs were having low attitude score regarding watershed planning. Educational status, information seeking behaviour, training undergone and self confidence were positively and significantly related to the knowledge of the officials in watershed planning. Age and experience was found to have negative and significant relationship with the knowledge of the JSCOs only. Educational status, information seeking behaviour, training undergone and self confidence were found to have positive and significant relationship with the attitude of the officers towards watershed planning. Age was found to have negative and significant relationship with the attitude of the JSCOs and JSSOs towards watershed planning. Experience was found to have negative and significant relationship with the attitude of the JSCOs towards watershed planning. Self confidence had the highest direct effect on knowledge of the JSCOs in watershed planning and age had the highest indirect effect. Information seeking behaviour had the highest direct effect on knowledge of the JSSOs and training undergone had the highest indirect effect. Self confidence had the highest direct effect on knowledge of the AOs in watershed planning and information seeking behaviour had the highest indirect effect. Information seeking behaviour had the highest direct effect on the attitude of the JSCOs towards watershed planning. Highest indirect effect was that of age. Self confidence had the highest direct effect on the attitude of the JSSOs towards watershed planning and educational status had the highest indirect effect. Self confidence had the highest direct effect and information seeking behaviour had the highest indirect effect on the attitude of the AOs towards watershed planning. Variables experience, information seeking behaviour and job satisfaction had significant contribution to the knowledge of the JSCOs in watershed planning. Independently, only information seeking behaviour had significant contribution towards knowledge of JSSOs. Training undergone and self confidence had significant contribution to the knowledge of the AOs in watershed planning. None of the independent variables had significant contribution to the attitude of the JSCOs and JSSOs towards watershed planning. Only self confidence had significant contribution to the attitude of AOs towards watershed planning. Majority of the JSCOs perceived training need in watershed planning. A considerable number of JSSOs also perceived high training needs in watershed planning. But majority of the AOs perceived only a low training need in watershed planning. No significant difference in knowledge, attitude and training needs was observed between the JSCOs, but for awareness there was significant difference between these two groups. There was significant difference in awareness, knowledge attitude and training needs between the JSSOs and AOs and also between the JSCOs and AOs. Non-availability of demonstration plots for seeing the benefits of watershed management was the most important constraint in watershed planning as perceived by the JSCOs. But according to the JSSOs lack of awareness of the policy makers on the advantages of watershed planning and management was the most important constraint, whereas the AOs perceived inadequate training of the officers in watershed planning and management as the most important constraint.ThesisItem Open Access Utilization of soil test recommendations by the farmers in Trivandrum district(Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1987) Balan, S; KAU; Muraleedhara Prasad, RThesisItem Open Access Evaluative perception of appropriateness of the recommended fertiliser management practices(Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1989) Rasheed Sulaiman, V; KAU; Muraleedhara Prasad, RA study was undertaken to investigate into the extent of knowledge, extent of adoption and evaluative perception of appropriateness of the recommended fertilizer management practices among rice farmers (n=200) and Agricultural Demonstrators (n=54) in Palghat and Cannanore Districts of Kerala State. The study revealed that farmers of Palghat and Cannanore differed significantly with respect to their knowledge and adoption of fertiliser management practices with farmers of Palaghat having higher level of knowledge and adoptionThesisItem Open Access Adoption of technology for cultivation of banana var. Nendran in Trichur district(Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1989) Anitha Vijayan; KAU; Ramachandran Nair, K PIt is commonly' observed that there is wide gap between the technology generated in Research Station and its actual use by the clientele. It is with this view in mind that the present study was undertaken to identify the gap in the adoption of technology in Banana Nendran cultivated in Trichur District. The relationship between personal, situational,psychological and i communication characteristics of Banana Nendran growers and their adoption was also studied. The constraints in the adoption process were also finally analysed. The study was conducted in Trichur District. The sample was 150 farmers selected randomly from the six wards of the two Panchayats selected for the study. Data was . collected using an interview schedule and suitable statistical techniques were employed in the analysis of the data. It was revealed from the study that the technological gapwith respect to 25.33 per cent of the respondents was low, 51.33 per cent of respondents was medium and 23.33 per cent of the respondents high. The study revealed that information source utilisation, innovation proneness and extension contact contribute significantly to the adoption of fertilizers in Banana var. Nendran. In the case of adoption of desuckering practice it was found that' information source utilisation, economic motivation and market orientation were significant in predicting the adoption of desuckering. Information source utilisation, extension contact, market orientation and farm size were found to contribute significantly to the adoption of mulching in Banana var. Nendran. It was revealed from the study that independent variables contributing significantly to the adoption of plant protection measures were information source utilisation, extension contact and market orientation. The important constraints perceived by the farmers were inadequacy of capital, high labour charge, low price for output, high prop cost, high cost of plant protection chemicals and fertlizers, inadequate market facilities, non-availability of equipment for plant protection, poor transport facilities, lack of knowledge about technology and uneconomic holding size. The results point out vivid ly to the prime need for strengthening the extension education efforts of the field functionaries to reduce the technological gap with respect to the cultivation of Banana Nendran variety in the District.ThesisItem Open Access Adoption behaviour of tribal farmers towards improved agricultural practices(Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1985) Viju, A; KAU; Balakrishna Pillai, GThe research was conducted in. Nedumangad taluk of Trivandrum district to study the adoption behaviourof tribal farmers. The method of probability proportionate to sample size was followed for selecting 110 'Kanikkars'. Extent of knowledge about the improved agricultural practices attitude towards farming and extent of adoption of improved agricultural practices were measured. The data were collected by interviewing using the interview schedule developed. Croup discussions and participant observation were also made use of The study revealed the following Majority of the *Kanikkars' had a medium level of knowledge about improved agricultural practices, a medium level of attitude towards farming and a low level of adoption . Extent o f knowledge about improved agricultural practices had positive association with educational status, social participation , risk orientation, cosmopollteness and annual income. Fatalism had negative association with the extent of knowledge. Attitude of tribal farmers towards fanning had positive relation ship with educational status, social participation, risk orientation, economic motivation and annual income, whereas status of land tenancy was negatively correlated . Extent o f adoption of improved agricultural practices had positive association with educational status, economic motivation and annual income. Stop-wise regression analysis revealed that risk orientation , educational status# indebtedness, social participation and economic motivation contributed to 73 per cent o f the variation in the extent o f knowledge about improved agricultural practices. Risk orientation# educational status, indebtedness, social participation, economic motivation, annual income and status of land tenancy contributed to 69.3 per cent of the variation in the attitude towards farming. Risk orientation, economic motivation, indebtedness, annual income and educational status contributed to 62.8 percent of the variation in the extent of adoption of improved agricultural practices. Risk orientation emerged as the most Important variable in a ll the three regression analyses.
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