Thumbnail Image

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.

Browse

19886
Reset filters
Subject: Agricultural Extension × End date: 1988 × Start date: 1988 × Type: Thesis ×
Reset filters

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 6 of 6
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen 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, C
    With 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.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Analysis of reading comprehension of agricultural articles in daily newspaper by farmers in Kerala State
    (Department of Agricultural Extension, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, 1988) Ranjan, S Karippai; KAU; Sethu Rao, M K
    In all phases of development communication of innovations has been accepted as a vital element. Various intwerpersonal and mass media are being utilised by the development agencies to assist in the transfer of technology to the rural areas, where the attention is being focussed in all developing nations. Among the various mass media, print media, particularly newspapers play an important role in places where literacy of the population is relatively high. Newspapers have become very powerful in communication in Kerala State, which rank first in literacy in India, with a wider readership status and a variety of contents including development messages.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Training needs in agriculture of 'Irulas' of Attappady
    (Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1988) Kanaga Sabapathi, K; KAU; Balakrishna Pillai, G
    The study on the training needs in agriculture of 'Irulas* of Attappady was carried out with the following objectives: 1. To identify the training needs in Agriculture of irulas. 2. To determine the level of Knowledge of ’Irulas on the cultivation of Important crops. 3* To assess the type, duration, season, venue and frequency of the trainings required as perceived by the Irulas. 4. To find out the association between the training needs and the socio-psychological characters of Irulas. Irulas form the numerically dominant tribe of 'Attappady' valley of F&lghat district, in Kerala State, A sample of 100 Irula farmers was selected from the four villages of Attappady using random and proportional allocation techniques. Personal interviews were conducted with the help of a well structured and pre-tested interview schedule. The data so collected were analysed with the help of suitable statistical techniques. The salient findings of the study are as follows. Nearly half of the respondents (46 par cent) perceived only low level of training need. Twenty four per cent perceived a high need for training while 30 per cent fell in the medium group, who perceived a medium level of training need. Because of the high illiteracy and poor exposure to training programmes, they perceived low level of training need. tfith regard to the perception of training needs for the important crops, Ragi ranked first and it was followed by training needs in Jowar, Pulses, Maize, Chamai, Groundnut and Paddy respectively. With regard to the perception of training needs in respect to the major operations in general, plant protection was perceived as the area having most important training need. Other important areas of training needs in the descending order of preference were intercultural operations, manuring, seeds and sowing and land preparation.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Adoption of drought management practices by farmers: a critical analysis
    (Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1988) Abdul Aziz, E; KAU; Menon, A G G
    To assess the awareness and adoption of the recommended drought management practices for rice and coconut, a study was undertaken in Palaghat district of Kerala State. The independent variables taken were age, education, size of holding, annual income, risk orientation, economic motivation, scientific orientation, knowledge about recommended drought management practices for coconut, awareness about the drought-proneness of crops, knowledge about parameters of drought and extent of adoption of recommended drought management practices for rice and coconut. The dependant variables were extent of adoption of recommended drought management practices for rice and coconut. Results revealed that majority of the farmers were going for the cultivation of short duration varieties in the case of rice and mulching in the case of coconut to tide over the drought situation. Majority of the farmers belonged to medium group in the case of knowledge about drought management practices for rice and coconut and adoption of drought managenent practices in rice and coconut cultivation. Majority of the farmers used seed at 100 kg/ha in the case of rice and mulching In the case of coconut. None of the farmers adopted application of 34 kg each of NPR/ha in the case of rice. Only 28 per cent adopted husk burial practice in their coconut gardens. Only very few respondents adopted drip irrigation practice. The results of the correlation analysis showed that size of holding, knowledge aibout recommended drought management practices for coconut and extent of adoption of recommended drought management practices for coconut were positively and significantly correlated with the extent of adoption of recommended drought management practices for rice, while size of holding, annual income, knowledge about recommended drought management practices for coconut and extent of adoption of recommended drought management practices for rice were positively and significantly correlated with extent of adoption of recommended drought management practices for coconut. Majority of the farmers belonged to medium group with respect to their awareness about the drought-proneness of crops and knowledge about parameters of drought. Results of path-analysis showed maximum positive direct effect was found contributed by 'size of holding' in the case of adoption of drought management practices for rice and' annual income' in the case of adoption of drought management practices for coconut. Lack of knowledge about technology, lack of finance and non-availability of inputs/equipment were considered as the major constraints in the adoption of drought management practices for rice and coconut.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Involment of farmers in agroforestry programme in Kerala - a critical analysis
    (Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1988) Anil, Kumar A; KAU; Babu, B
    The study was conducted in two selected panchayats each in. Trichur and Waynad districts, Kerala State, India to assess and study (1) The nature and extent of involvement of farmers in Agro-forestry programme in Kerala. (2) The attitude of farmers towards Agro-forestry programme, (3) The motivational pattern of formers far participationin Agro-forestry programme, (4) The constraints perceived by the farmers end Agroforestry personnel in the implementstion of Agro-forestry programme. The study revealed that in Kerala, out of nine independent variables only four independent variables such as education, utilisation of information sources, cosmopaliteness and attitude of farmers towards Agro-forestry programme were positively and significantly correlated with the extent of involvement, Majority of the farmers of Kerala had only medium level of involvement, On an average the orient of involvement of farmers in Agro-forestry programmers as low in Kerala, There is significant difference between farmers of Tnchur and Waynad districts with respect: to their extent of involvement ia Agro-forestry programme. Majority of the farmers of Kerala in general were included in medium attitude group. But on an average farmers had a strong positive attitude towards the Agro-forestry programme. There is no significant difference between farmers of Trichur and Waynad districts with respact to their mean attitude score. Economic motive is the most Important motive for the particioation of farmers in Agro-fores cry programme. Motives which came in the second and third position for participation were the affiliation motive and selfesteem motive respectively. The most important constraint percaived by farmers was the unavailability of water. She next important constraint perceived by farmers wao the "Unavailability of desired plant species". Smaller size of land holding was a constraint which came In the third position. Inadequacy of staff was the most important constraint perceived by Agro-forestry personnel. West to this the most important constraints perceived were the "counter propaganda by certain organisations against this programs” and the "inadequacy of publicity and extension work
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Integrated rural development programme- A case study
    (Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1988) Jayasree Krishnankutty; KAU; Ramachandran Nair, K P
    To have an indepth analysis of the various aspects of Integrated Rural Development Programme in the State, giving more stress to the beneficiaries angle, the present investigation was undertaken under the title “I. R. D. P – A case study”. Awareness of the beneficiaries about the programme and their extent of utilization of the facilities of the programme was measured in this study. Awareness was measured in 3 dimensions viz. awareness about the schemes, about the benefits of the schemes and about the implementing agencies of the programme. The experience of the beneficiaries in the utilization of IRDP facilities and constraints or problems experienced by them were also analysed. The study was conducted in Ollukkara Block of Trichur District. The sample was 120 IRDP beneficiaries consisting of 40 marginal farmers, 40 agrl/non-agrl. Labourers and 40 beneficiaries belonging to Schedule Castes or Scheduled Tribes. Data was collected using an interview schedule and suitable statistical techniques were employed in the analysis of the data. The study revealed that majority of the respondents had medium awareness about the schemes, low awareness about the benefits of the schemes and all beneficiaries had low or medium awareness about the implementing agencies. As far as extent of utilization was concerned, there was absolutely no beneficiary with high extent of utilization. Majority of the respondents had low extent of utilization. Most of the selected independent variables contributed substantially in the case of awareness. But in the case of extent of utilization, only four variables had substantial contribution towards it. The experience of beneficiaries in utilization of IRDP facilities was medium. The analysis of the constraints felt by the beneficiaries revealed that there were a lot of malpractices prevalent in the sanctioning and distribution of assistance, there were undue delays in disbursing the loans and that quality of the products obtained by way of assistance was poor. The results point out vividly to the prime need for a more systematic and effective functioning of the programme with better co-ordination and supervision at all levels in order to have a better image of the programme in the rural sector.