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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: Sadam, Hanjabam × End date: 2013 × Start date: 2013 × Type: Thesis ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Analysis of constraints and strategies for scaling up of precision farming in Kerala
    (Department Of Agricultural Extension, College Of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2013) Sadam, Hanjabam; KAU; Prakash, R
    The study entitled “Analysis of constraints and strategies for scaling up of precision farming in Kerala” was an attempt to critically analyse the attitude of the farmers towards PF technology, assess the extent of adoption, identify the constraints and formulate strategies for scaling up of PF in Kerala. Ninety farmers consisting of 60 precision farmers (banana and vegetables) and 30 conventional farmers were randomly selected from Chittur block in Palakkad district of Kerala. 12 independent variables, two dependent variables and 30 constraints were studied and analysed with the help of different scales and techniques. A well-structured pre tested interview schedule was used for collection of data from the respondents. The study indicated that 80 per cent of the precision farmers belonged to old age group. Majority of the farmers had more than 25 years of farming experience. Precision farmers had a higher level of information seeking behaviour, risk and scientific orientation. More than 50 per cent of the precision farmers had attended more than 10 trainings. Conventional farmers had better market perception and were more economic orientated. However precision farmers were more innovative. Majority of the respondents had moderately favourable attitude towards PF practices and had medium level of adoption. The most important constraints experienced by both categories of respondents were rainfall and other meteorological problem and high cost of inputs. Non-availability of inputs, lack of technical skill , inadequate size of landholdings , lack of marketing facilities, heavy fluctuation in commodity price, high labour charges were other constraints of importance. Provision of a panel of multidisciplinary specialists for full time technical advice and a technical officer for implementation of the scheme was one suggestion. Developments of a market support system, F1 hybrids suiting to Kerala etc., were other measures. Besides, some extension strategies like shifting of PF from technology push to application driven approach, providing technologies through rental services , strengthening the relationship among IT, ICT, biotechnology and PF , development of a Decision Support System ( DSS) etc., are suggested which may help to scale up PF in Kerala.