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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: Agriculture × Author: Dana, K × End date: 2009 × Start date: 2001 × Thesis Type: M.Sc ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Organic farm produce in Kerala - an economic analysis
    (College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2007) Dana, K; KAU; Jessy, Thomas
    The present study on the “Organic farm produce in Kerala – An economic analysis" was conducted to analyse supply pattern, marketing practices, constraints in production and marketing and to study the consumer awareness regarding organic produce. The study was based on the data collected from Poothadi and Panamaram panchayaths in Wayanad districts, where organic farming is taken up on a commercial scale. The general cultivation practices followed in organic was examined and the input wise expenses for selected crops were worked out. Among the inputs organic manure contributed the largest share in most of the crops followed by labour. The yield and return were worked out and the per hectare expenses estimated based on cost component analysis by employing ABC cost concepts. Total cost at C3 level in organic farms was found to be Rs.49116 per hectare and it ranged from Rs. 72374 in Class I farms to Rs 53584 and Rs. 43599 per hectare in Class II and Class III farms respectively. The returns from the organic farms at the aggregate level were worked out to Rs 126706 per farm and it was Rs 50539, Rs. 101742 and Rs 207862 for Class I, Class II and Class III farms respectively. The farm efficiency measures for organic farms were worked out and the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1.58. At the aggregate level, the gross income was found to be Rs. 77496 per hectare and net farm income was Rs. 28379 per hectare. Resource productivity analysis revealed that, bio pesticides, labour and cropping intensity was significantly influenced the gross income. Optimum returns for selected variables were worked out based on the above analysis . The important marketing channels for organic produce were, Producer - Indian organic producer’s company – exporter; Producer – private company – organic market and Producer – local market and the first channel was found to be widely adopted by the farmers. It was found that no marketing cost was involved in the marketing of organic produce in the study area. The major constraints faced by the farmers were lack of fixed price premium, lack of assured markets, scarcity of quality organic manures, lack of financial support during transitional period, competition from fake products, pest and disease control and lack of consumer awareness. The study revealed that 53 per cent of consumers were aware of the market availability of organic produce and the Willingness To Pay Premium (WTPP) was found to be Rs. 4.6 per kilogram of organic vegetables, Rs 7.4 per kilogram of fruits, Rs. 11.9 per kilogram of spices and Rs. 2.5 per kg as price for milk. Logistic regression analysis revealed that awareness with respect to organic produce and income were highly significant and it indicated that the willingness to pay premium was directly related to these variables