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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 Processing and Food Engineering × End date: 2007 × Start date: 2007 × Type: Thesis ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Development of a powered decoraticator for producing white pepper from black pepper
    (Department of Post Harvest Technology and Agricultural Processing, Kelappaji College Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Tavanur, 2007) Chithra, G; KAU; Santhi Mary, Mathew
    A powered black pepper decorticator for producing white pepper from black pepper was developed, tested and its performance evaluated. The major parts are grinding surfaces, feed hopper, cylindrical collecting tray, water distribution assembly, 0.5 hp motor and reduction gear of 5:1 gear ratio. The decortication of the pepper berries was performed by compressive and shearing forces between the grinding surfaces. The experiment was conducted at different soaking time, speed and grinding surfaces. A 2- factor, experiment in Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with speed and soaking time as factors were adopted. The maximum decorticating efficiency observed for MS Plate, rexin sheet, teflon and grinding stone were 46.10, 51.30, 47.50 and 61.52 at 17 h -71 rpm, 17 h -71 rpm, 18 h -57 rpm and 17 h- 71 rpm soaking time - speed combinations. The wholeness of kernels show a decreasing trend at higher speeds that is crushing of berries increases. Generally, the mechanical damage also shows the similar trend. The maximum overall decorticating efficiency for various surfaces were 37.38 of 17 h -71 rpm, 38.99 17h- 71rpm, 35.63 of 18h- 57rpm and 51.06 of 17h -71rpm. The study shows that the parameters of speed and soaking time have significant influence on decorticating efficiency, wholeness of kernels, mechanical damage and overall decorticating efficiency. The quality of white pepper obtained from grinding stone coupled with polyurethane was superior to those obtained by other surfaces. The overall decorticating efficiency of powered decorticator was found maximum (51.06 %) at 71 rpm and 17 hour soaking period. The capacity of the developed machine was 1.23 kg/h.