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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: Jaliya, M K × End date: 2008 × Start date: 2000 × Thesis Type: M.Sc ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Reorienting the concept of agricultural development in the context of Kerala
    (College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2008) Jaliya, M K; KAU; Joy, Mathew
    India’s agrarian culture and economy is in a progressive path of resurrection. The local administrative bodies are vested with increased powers to plan and execute need based development activities. Hence a clear understanding of the concept of agricultural development among the major stakeholders serves as a firm base for development. The present study entitled ‘Reorienting the concept of agricultural development in the context of Kerala’ was carried out in five blocks of Thrissur district, namely, Mullassery, Vadakkanchery, Chavakkad, Chowannur and Ollukkara. Progressive farmers, panchayat presidents, agricultural officers and agricultural scientists were the four groups of respondents selected for the study. An open ended question was formulated to explore, explain and clarify the perceptions of these respondent groups on the concept of agricultural development. The perception differences among the respondent groups were visually depicted by using the tool of concept mapping. It is a type of structured conceptualization that can be used by groups to develop a conceptual framework that can guide evaluation or planning. A ranking schedule with four sub-sections namely, physical dimension, economic dimension, ecological dimension and socio-psychological dimension was prepared after discussing with agricultural experts and incorporating productive suggestions from the different respondent groups. The Comparison of percentage mean scores between various respondent groups conducted after the analysis of the responses of open ended questions revealed that agricultural scientists scored the most (75 %) and farmers scored the least (36.3). The scores of agricultural officers and panchayat presidents were respectively 50 % and 41 %. The extent of perception differences among the four respondent groups regarding the concept of agricultural development was significant when it was compared with the standard definition chosen for the purpose of the present study. It was revealed from the study that the concept map of progressive farmers focused more on production related activities whereas concept map of panchayat presidents also followed suite except that it laid more importance on socio-concern. The concept map of agricultural officers was hinged on participatory approach and committed to social well-being of the society. The concept map of agricultural scientists stood out distinctly from the rest of the concept maps. The major emphasis was on marketing and finance assistance. A model for agricultural development was constructed from ten most preferred activity statements ranked by the four respondent groups among physical, economic, socio-psychological and ecological dimensions. A venn diagram was prepared as a pictoric representation of prioritised statements.