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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 Factors influencing the development of agriculture among the 'kanikkar' tribe of Kerala(Department Of Agricultural Extension, College Of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1992) Jaleel, M M; KAU; Bhaskaran, SThe study on the factors influencing the development of agiculture among the 'Kanikkar' tribe of Kerala was carried out with the following objectives: To study the characteristic profile of the tribal people. To identify the agricultural development indicators in tribal areas. To assess the extent of agricultural development in tribal areas. To find out the association between the agricultural development indicators and the selected socio-economic characteristics of 'Kanikkars'. To identify the factors influencing agricultural development in tribal areas. To identify the constraints affecting agricultural development in tribal areas. Kanikkars form the dominant tribe of South Kerala. A sample of 100 Kani-farmers was selected from the five Panchayats of Nedumangad Taluk of Thiruvananthapuram District using purposive, proportional and random 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 extent of agricultural development was assessed using the three agricultural development indicators selected for the purpose of the study/ which were the dependent variables namely knowledge about improved cultivation practices/ attitude towards farming/ and adoption of modern techniques of cultivation. The independent variables selected and utilised for the purpose of the study were age/education/ farming experience/ organisation participation/ risk orientation/ credit orientation/ cosmopoliteness/ extension participation/ extension contact/ mass media participation and land possession. The salient findings of the study are as follows: Nearly half of the respondents (49%) were young. Majority of them had high levels of education/ risk orientation/ credit orientation/ cosmopliteness and mass media participation/ while most of them had low lev^s of farming experience/ organisation participation, extension participat ion/ extension contact and land possession. Though majority of the Kanikkars hod o better knowledge on the scientific cultivation practices and a favourable attitude towards farming, the adoption level of modern techniques of cultivation was low. Of the 11 variables studied, land possession was found to have a non-significant correlation with the three dependent variables. Credit orientation was found to have a significant correlation only with attitude. Of the variables which were having a significant correlation with the three dependent variables, age and farming experience were negatively correlated. The crucial variables through which indirect effects were channelled were: education, risk orientation and extension participation with regard to knowledge about improved cultivation practices, education, cosmopoliteness and mass media participation with respect to attitude towards farming and age, farming experience and extension contact with reference to adoption of modern techniques of cultivation.ThesisItem Open Access Adoption of improved agricultural practices by commercial vegetable growers of Ollukkara Block in Trichur District(Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1991) Binoo, P Bonny; KAU; Muraleedhara Prasad, RWith a view to study the existing scenario of commercial vegetable cultivation, the present investigation was undertaken in two selected Panchayats in Ollukkara Block in Thrissur. The study was conducted in relation to knowledge of farmers about improved vegetable cultivation practices, their .training need in commercial cultivation of vegetable ,and extent of adoption of recommended vegetable cultivation practices. The study was conducted on 100 randomly selected vegetable growers. The data were collected using pre-tested and well structured interview schedule. Correlation and step-wiser egression analyses were employed for analysis of data. The study revealed that majority of farmers were medium in their level of knowledge, training need and extent of adoption. Highest training need was perceived in plant protection. Higher adoption was also observed in plant protection measures. The results of step-wise regression analysis indicated information source utilisation as the most important variable explaining maximum variation in the level of knowledge and training need. In the case of adoption of improved practices, irrigation potential was the most decisive variable as revealed by the step wise regression analysis. The results of constraint analysis pointed out high cost of plant protection chemicals as the most felt constraint 'in the commercial cultivation of vegetables. The other important constraints as perceived by the farmers were inadequate market and storage and post harvest facilities.ThesisItem Open Access Feasibility analysis of group approach in the transfer of pepper production technology(Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1991) John, T D; KAU; Muraleedhara Prasad, RA study was undertaken to analyse the utility of group approach in the transfer of pepper production technology in Wayanad and Kozhikode districts of Kerala State by forming three types of groups, namely existing, focused and identified focused groups. Under each of the group type, three different sizes of groups (n1 = between 10 and 14; = between 15 and 19; N3= between 20 and 24) were formed for the study. Individual pepper farmers (n = 50) were also selected to serve as control for the study. The group performance in terms of adoption of recommended pepper cultivation practices was studied in relation to the group processes. The data were collected in two phases, the first phase immediately after the formation of groups and the second phase after one crop season. The study revealed that there was significant difference between the types of groups in the extent of adoption when studied immediately after the formation of groups. However, when studied after one season, no significant difference in adoption was noted between the types of groups. There was no significant difference between the size groups in the extent of adoption studied immediately after the formation of groups and also after one season. There was substantial increase in the group related processes such as social participation, interpersonal liking, interpersonal trust, interpersonal contact, co-operation and farmer to farmer interaction, when measured after the functioning of the group for one season. There was' significant difference between the mean scores on knowledge on pepper cultivation in the case of all the group types when studied immediately after the formation of groups and after one season. Absence of a government agency in organising the farmers and providing .proper guidance was . expressed as the most important constraint of group approach in pepper cultivation followed by lack of knowledge and awareness about group approach in pepper cultivation. Severity of quick wilt disease, very small holding size and absence of beneficial programmes were rated as the other important constraints of group approach in pepper cultivation.ThesisItem Open Access Utilization of biogas technology by the farmers of Palakkad(Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1990) Latha, A; KAU; Muraleedhara Prasad, RA - study \/as undertaken to analyse the extent of utilization of biogas technology by the farmers of Palakkad district of Kerala State in relation to their attitude, perception and motivational pattern in the adoption of biogas technology. The respondents selected for study included both users (n = 80) and non-users (n - 80) of biogas technology. The study revealed that there was no significant difference in the attitude of users and non-users towards, biogas technology. Among the six attributes of biogas technology studied in relation to perception, simplicity obtained the highest rank -followed by fuel efficiency, profitability, fertilizer efficiency, need compatibility and lot; cost in that order. 'Safety' was indicated as the most important motive governing the adoption of biogas technology and prestige motive, the least important. Among the selected.independent variables, utilization of interpersonal sources of information, perception about the efficiency of biogas technology, indebtedness, utilization of ether sources of fuel and innovation proneness were found .significant in predicting the maximum variation in attitude of users towards biogas technology, while utilization of interpersonal sources of information, family educational status,social participation; availability of other sources of fuel and educational status were important in predicting the attitude of non-users. Utilization of interpersonal sources of information, utilization of other sources of fuel, indebtedness, livestock possession and educational status were found significant in predicting the perception of users about the efficiency of biogas technology. 'Mixing slurry everyday is a botheration' was expressed by users as the most important constraint in utilization of biogas technology followed by low gas production during monsoon' and 'need for constant care of the plant. Most of the non-users had not adopted the technology due to the botheration for maintenance of the plant, availability of plenty of firewood and high installation cost of the plant.ThesisItem Open Access Role of krishi bhavans in agricultural development in Thiruvananthapuram district(Department of Agricultural extension, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1992) Suresh, Nelson; KAU; Sobhana, GThe study, ‘Role of Krishi Bhavans in Agricultural Development in Thiruvananthapuram District’ was conducted among Agricultural Extension Personnel and farmers in the three agricultural sub-divisions of the district viz. Neyyattinkara, Nedumangad and Attingal with the following specific objectives: To analyse the role of krshi Bhavans in Agricultural Development as perceived by farmers and Agricultural Extension Personnel. To study the awareness of farmers and Agricultural Extension Personnal about the concept and functioning of Krishi Bhavans. To study the attitude of farmers and Agricultural Extension Personnel towards Krishi Bhavans. To identify the constraints, if any, perceived by farmers and Agricultural Extension Personnel in the functioning of Krishi Bhavans. The study was conducted among 30 AOs. 30 AAS, 30 Karshika Vikasana Samithy Members and 60 other farmers, randomly selected from 30 krishi Bhavans of the district. The roles of Krishi Bhavans were analysed in terms of perceived importance and performance of the roles by the Agricultural Extension Personnel and farmers. Awareness was measured using the schedule developed for the study. Attitude towards Krishi Bhavans was measured using the attitude scale developed for the purpose. The characteristics of respondents were quantified using either adopted scales or schedules developed for the study. Constraints in the functioning of Krishi Bhavans were also identified as perceived by Agricultural Extension Personnel and farmers. Out of the thirty five identified roles, seven roles were perceived as important by all the four categories of respondents viz. AOs, AAS, Karshika Vikasana Samithy Members and other farmers. Of the seven roles, five were perceived by all of them as being adequately performed. The roles which were not adequately performed according to them were (i) Conducting method demonstrations, result demonstrations and Minikit trials in farmers’ fields. (ii) Arranging loans from Banks and Societies to farmers for agricultural purposes. Majority of the respondents ie. 56.67 per cent of AOs, 53.33 per cent of AAs, 56.67 per cent of Karshika Vikasana Samithy Members and 53.33 per cent of other farmers were having higher level of awareness about Krishi Bhavans. Job commitment of AOs was positively and significantly related to their awareness. None of the selected characteristics of AAs had significant relationship with their awareness. Education, social participation, contact with extension agency, innovativeness and scientific orientation of Karshika Vikasana Samithy Members and social participation, information source utilisation and innovativeness of other farmers were positively and significantly related with their awareness about Krishi Bhavans. Less than half of AOs and AAs (46.67 per cent each) and majority of Karshika Vikasana Samithy Members (60 per cent) and other farmers (56.67 per cent) were found to have high degree of attitude towards Krishi Bhavans. Job satisfaction and job commitment of AOs and job satisfaction of AAs were found to have positive and significant relationship with their attitude towards Krishi Bhavans. Contact with extension agency, Scientific orientation and awareness about Krishi Bhavans of Karshika Vikasana Samithy Members and contact with extension agency of other farmers were found to have positive and significant relationship with their attitude towards Krishi Bhavans. Lack of clerical support in Krishi Bhavan was the most important constraint perceived by AOs while ‘Lack of facilities in Krishi Bhavans was perceived as the most important constraint by AAs. The five serious constraints identified by Karshika Vikasana Samithy Members and other farmers were high labour cost, conversion of paddy fields into coconut and banana gardens making tiller ploughing difficult lack of irrigation water in time, inadequate and untimely supply of inputs and high cost of cultivation.ThesisItem Open Access Farm telecast viewing behaviour of farmers(Department of Agricultural extension, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1990) Shahila, Rose J S; KAU; Mohammed, HussainThis study entitled “Farm Telecast Viewing Behaviour of Farmers” was carried out in Nedumangadu Taluk of Trivandrum district with the following objectives: 1. To study the viewing behavior of farmers in relation to the farm telecast 2. To study the preferences of programmes, mode, time and duration of farm telecast by the farmers 3. To find out the factors influencing the viewing behavior of farmers 4. To suggest steps, if any, to improve the farm telecast programme The charecteristics of farmers included in the study were age, educational status, occupation, annual income, social participation, mass media exposure, cosmopoliteness, innovation proneness, scientific orientation, economic motivation and attitude towards Nattinpuram programme. The dependent variable viewing behaviour was measured using the procedure developed for the study. The available measurement techniques and scoring system were used for independent variables such as social participation (Selvakumar, 1988), mass media exposure (Haraprasad, 1983), cosmopoliteness (desai, 1981), innovation proneness (Moulik, 1965), scientific orientation (Supe, 1969) and economic motivation (Moulik, 1965). Age and annual income were taken as such. Attitude towards Nattinpuram programme was measured using the scale developed for the study. Post-viewing behaviour, family viewing behaviour and viewing preference of Nattinpuram programme were measured using the procedure developed for the study. Data were collected from one hundred viewers and twenty seven non-viewers using an interview schedule. Data were analysed using correlation, multiple regression and path analyses. The salient findings of the study are the following: The reasons for not viewing the Nattinpuram programme were lack of time, lack of interest, programme irrelevant and boring to them; affect children’s studies, time not suitable and lack of awareness of the programme. Viewing behaviour of Nattinpuram programme viewers was at a low level. Most of them were occasional viewers. Age, educational status, occupation, annual income, social participation, cosmopoliteness, and economic motivation had no significant relationship with viewing behaviour. Mass media exposure, innovation proneness, scientific orientation and attitude towards Nattinpuram programme were significantly and positively related to viewing behaviour. The results of path analysis indicated variables such as mass media exposure, scientific orientation, and attitudes towards Nattinpuram programme as important in determining the viewing behaviour of the farmers. The respondents post-viewing behaviour was not appreciable. With regard their family viewing behaviour, majority of the family members were occasional viewers of Nattinpuram programme. With regard to programme preference (past), programmes like ‘safe handling of insecticides and pepper day celebration, agricultural development bank, and announcements inviting letters from farmers on their queries were most preferred by them. As regards the future programmes, preference for agricultural programme was the most. The most preferred mode of presentation was demonstration by experts with discussion. The most preffered time of Nattinpuram telecast was from 6.30 to 7.00 pm. The suggestions given by the respondents for improving Nattinpuram telecasts in future were: Inviting farmers in discussion, making the programmes more informative, avoiding the use of technical terms, alternating the programmes in a cyclic rotation and side by side discussion of the traditional methods.ThesisItem Open Access Study on the utilization of the farm magazine rubber and analysis of its message constraints(Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1991) Shamitha, Bharathan; KAU; Ranjan, Karippai SThesisItem Open Access Training strategy for the farmers of Kasaragod district(Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1990) Thamban, C; KAU; Abdul Rahiman Kunju, OA research study was undertaken to evolve a training strategy for the farmers of Kasaragod district, Kerala. A Sample of 100 farmers were selected from ten panchayats of the district. Besides, 24 agricultural scientists and 20 extension personnel were also selected as respondents. A structured pre-tested interview schedule was used to elicit responses from farmers. A questionnaire was used in the case of agricultural scientists and extension personnel. The salient findings of the study are as follows; Majority (57 %) of the farmers were having medium knowledge level on improved cultivation practices of rice and coconut while 24 per cent had low and 19 per cent had high knowledge level. The farmers had appreciable knowledge about planting and after care while that regarding plant protection was poor in the case of rice. With regard to coconut, the farmers’ knowledge on planting and after care was of the high order while that of manures and manuring was dismal. The farmers expressed maximum training needs on plant protection of rice, while in the case of coconut it was on manures and manuring. Most of the farmers proffered peripatetic type of training, preferably during January and February at the nearest Krishibhavan. Demonstration was the most preferred training method. The agricultural scientists and extension personnel opined that the farmers should be trained on plant protection, manures and manuring and improved varieties with respect to rice and coconut cultivation. Actual cultivators, farmers from whom others seek guidance and farmers who have the spirit to assist others were the important criteria to be considered while selecting trainees for farmers’ training as opined by agricultural scientists and extension personnel. Regarding the selection of trainers, they perceived field experience, knowledge of local agricultural problems and communication ability as the important criteria to be considered. Pre and post-training evaluation was considered as the most important phase by them. Subject matter coverage, feed back from trainees and improvement in skill an knowledge of trainees were the important aspects of farmers’ training to be evaluated, they opined. Contact with trained farmers through field visits, by the trainers, identifying the constraints in putting in to practice the knowledge and skill in field situation by the trained farmers and arranging further training based on the trained farmers’ felt problems were the important methods of follow –up of farmers training, as suggested by the agricultural scientist and extension personnel. Based on the results of the study, a training strategy was prepared for the farmers of the kasaragod districtThesisItem Open Access Impact of rice minikit trials on the adoption behaviour of farmers(Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1992) Ramachandran, C; KAU; Bhaskaran, CWith a view to study the impact of Rice Minikit Trials on adoption behavior of farmers the present investigation was undertaken under the title “Impact of Rice Minikt Trials on the Adoption Behaviour of Farmers”. Impact was measured in terms of the adoption of the selected recommended practices by the participant farmers and the non-participant farmers. The farmer’s perception about the innovation-characteristics of Minikit Variables of Rice, the procedures followed in conducting Rice Minikit Trials, and the constraints faced by the participant farmers and the extension personnel were also analysed. The study was conducted in Kollam district. The sample consisted of 60 each of randomly selected participant farmers and non-participant farmers and 30 Agricultural Officers. Data were collected using interview schedule and suitable statistical techniques were employed in the analysis of data. The study revealed that the participant farmer’s adoption of the recommended practices, though partial in some aspects, was significantly affected by the Rice Minikit Trials. The selected independent variables together contributed significantly in the variation adoption behavior of both the participants as well as the non-participant farmers. The analysis of the perception of the farmers about the innovation- characteristics revealed, profitability as the most striking innovation characteristic of the Minikit varieties of Rice. The evaluation of the procedures of conducting Rice minikit Trials showed that most of the procedural requirements were not being fulfilled satisfactorily. The results of the constraint analysis pointed out that timely supply of kids, literature on package of practices recommendations of the variety along with the kit and timely guidance and supervision 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 Trials to reach its cherished goals.