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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 Marketing and Co-operation × Author: KAU × Author: Zita, V Bosco × Start date: 2018 × Thesis Type: M.Sc ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    SWOC analysis of women food processing enterprises in Palakkad district
    (Department of Rural Marketing Management, College of Co-operation Banking and Management, Vellanikkara, 2018) Zita, V Bosco; KAU; Ushadevi, K N
    India is one of the world’s largest producer as well as consumer of food products, with the sector playing an important role in contributing to the development of the economy. Food processing industry in India is increasingly seen as a potential source for driving the rural economy as it brings about synergy between the consumer, industry and agriculture. It is one of the largest industries in India and ranks fifth in terms of production, consumption and export (ibef, 2016). Kerala ranks third in terms of the largest number of licensed food processing units after Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. The state is rich with resources and raw materials such as fruits and vegetables, cereals, pulses, freshwater etc. Among the districts of Kerala, Palakkad district, ranks first in cultivation of vegetables (14.85%), fresh fruits (13.68%) and pulses (32.8%). Major portion of the cultivable area in the district is used for raising food crops i.e., 86453 hectares, which accounts approximately 41 percent of Kerala’s total cultivable area under food crops, 212544 hectares (GOK, 2015).Food processing enterprises play a major role in reducing the wastage of food crops through value addition process and in the generating employment opportunities to rural fold particularly for women In this context, the objectives of the present study were framed to evaluate the performance of women food processing enterprises, to identify the factors that motivate women food processing entrepreneurs, to analyse the backward, forward and institutional linkage of women enterprises and to assess the problems faced by women food processing enterprises. The study area confined to the five taluks of Palakkad district namely Alathur, Palakkad, Mannarkkad, Chittur and Ottapalam and sample units were taken proportionately from these taluks. A total sample of 50 actively working food processing enterprises of women (micro enterprises with at least three years of existence) comprising of 30 units registered under District Industries Centre (DIC) and 20 units registered under Kudumbashree Mission, were selected. For the purpose of analysis, the units registered under DIC was termed as Category 1 and under Kudumbashree Mission was termed as category 2. The primary data were collected by using pretested structured interview schedule and the analysis was carried out using descriptive statistics, indices, Chi-square test, Kruskall-Wallis test and Kendall coefficient of concordance test. Further, SWOC matrix was also formulated from the results of the study. The performance of women enterprises was assessed through number and type of products produced, size of the organization, growth of capital, sales turnover and employment generation. Majority of the units were registered as sole proprietorship business followed by Joint Liability Groups. Bakery products were the main category of the products produced by the units and they were using traditional methods of production. Majority were found to be homebased units. Local markets were figured out as the major market segment and they were mainly following cost plus pricing. These units lacked proper record maintenance, quality control, promotion strategies, market study and sales target fixation. Internal motivational and external motivational factors of women entrepreneurs were examined by selecting 20 internal motivational factors and 10 external motivational factors( finalised through pilot study and experts opinion).Index method and Kendall coefficient of concordance test were used for analysis. The results showed that among internal motivational factors ‘substitute for male earner’ (I=98.3) and ‘welfare of the family’ (I=98.3) and among external motivational factors ‘women friendly environment’ (I=99.18) were perceived as highly motivating. Kendall’s coefficient of concordance for both internal (W = 0.459) and external (W = 0.439) motivational factors indicate that there was significant difference in the opinion among entrepreneurs. The analysis revealed that the internal motivation factors (CI=85.14) were more motivating than external motivational factors (CI=77.41) for women entrepreneurs. The backward, forward and institutional linkage of the food processing enterprises were analysed in terms of supply of inputs, market information, linkages with Governmental, Non- Governmental organizations, training institutions, financial institutions, farmers, farmer organizations, association of women entrepreneurs, distribution channel members etc. Percentages, indices, ranking method and Kendall’s co-efficient of concordance were used for analysing this objective. Findings of the study revealed that own source was the major source of finance. The category 1 did not have membership in any farmer’s /women entrepreneur organization and category 2 had membership only in Kudumbashree mission. Majority of women entrepreneurs were not aware about the grants and subsidy. Half of women entrepreneurs were attending training programmes to boost their confidence level as well as to widen external exposure. The units were having good linkage with DIC office, bank, Kudumbashree Mission and channel members (wholesalers and retailers).The entrepreneurs were receiving adequate information about price of the product (I=94.6), price of the raw materials (I=94.6) and training (I=83.6). Updated information on supply, demand and new technology were not available to them on time. The channel members were disseminating information through informal channels. Mobile phones were mainly used by financial institutions whereas, Kudumbashree Mission and DIC were disseminating the information through meetings. The problems of women entrepreneurs were assessed by index method and Kruskall Wallis test. Based on index method, marketing problems (I=71) followed by production (I=63.27) and financial (I=61.5) problems were perceived as ‘mostly felt’ problems by the food processing units. Whereas gender, legal and technical issues were recognized as ‘moderately felt’ problems. The results of the study point out that marketing problem was the major challenge faced by the enterprises and it is mainly due to the competition from other units, low price for the products, lack of demand for the products and frequent price fluctuations. Based on the results of the study, strength and weakness of women enterprises engaged in the food processing industry were derived. Domination of middle aged group, similar family background, internally motivated entrepreneurs, good relationship with channel members and limited problems like technical, legal and gender were the major strengths identified. Concurrently, lack of awareness about beneficiary schemes, grants and financial sources, scarcity of raw materials, lack of promotional methods, lack of quality control methods and lack of proper monitoring were prioritized as the major weaknesses of enterprises. Results of the research work pointed out the scope for reducing the cost of production by enhancing proper linkage with farmers. The research findings also advocate implementation of quality control system to set up export oriented business ventures. Suggestions were also made to perform regular and systematic market study in order to address issues like low demand for the products and high competition from other similar enterprises. However, lack of timely release of fund, inadequate and lack of updated information on demand and supply and limited awareness regarding the latest technologies were identified as the major challenges to the successful running of the enterprise. Therefore, proper and regular monitoring of all the units registered under District Industries Centre (DIC) and Kudumbashree Mission, co-ordination of Government level training programmes to create awareness about new beneficiary schemes, financial sources and, new technologies and ensure that the benefits of the schemes are reaching the real beneficiaries are some of the possible suggestions to improve the overall performance of the women enterprises.