Loading...
Thumbnail Image

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.

Browse

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    Production potential and economics of sesamum-pulse intercropping in Onattukara tract
    (Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1999) Bindhu, J S; KAU; Muraleedharan, V
    An experiment entitled "Production potential and economics of sesamum-pulse intercropping in Onattukara tract" was conducted in the summer rice fallows of Rice Research Station, Kayamkulam from February 1998 to August 1998. The study also aims at estimating the residual effect of the intercropping on succeeding crop of rice during virippu season. The experiment was laid out In randomised block design with nine treatments in four replications. The weather condition during the cropping period was congenial for crop growth. The treatments were sole crops of sesamum, blackgram and greengram, intercropping of sesamum with blackgram and greengram in 1: 1, 2: 1 and 3: 1 ratios. The results indicated that sesamum in general, having a tall growing habit was least affected by shade when put under intercropping systems with pulses under different planting ratios. The association of sesamum had lesser adverse effect on legumes and it was proved that legumes can be grown in a compatible manner with sesamum. The sole crops produced significantly higher seed yield than the intercropping systems, in which yield varied due to differences in 2 population. The sole crops recorded the maximum nutrient uptake values due to more drymatter production as compared to intercropping treatments. The bio-economic suitability of the intercropping systems were studied. Higher LER, LEe, Ree, Aggressivity and sesamum equivalent were obtained in sesamum + blackgram in 1: 1 ratio and sesamum + greengram in 2:1 ratios. The results on monetary returns were higher in intercropping systems irrespective of the pulse crops raised, compared to sole crop of sesamum. The highest gross returns, net returns per rupee invested and !. ~ benefit cost ratio were realised from the sole crop of blackgram. Among intercropping systems, sesamum + blackgram in 1: 1 ratio gave higher monetary returns and benefit cost ratio. The maximum monetary advantage based on LER (Rs. 1219 hal ) was obtained when sesamum and blackgram were grown in 1: 1 proportion. The results on energy equivalents were also higher for sole crop of blackgram and sesamum + blackgram in 1: 1 ratio. In general, the soil nutrient status indicated a significant positive buildup of nitrogen and phosphorus. But in case of potassium, the exchangeable potassium was slightly reduced after the experiment. The yield of succeeding rice crop was not significantly influenced by the preceding crops combinations. 3 Thus raising a sole crop of blackgram in the rice fallows of Onattukara tract appears to be more profitable. Under the circumstances, where an intercrop is desired for yield stability, to reduce risk or for yield diversity, raising sesamum and blackgram in 1: 1 proportion can be recommended as an economically viable and biologically sustainable practice for the rice fallows of Onattukara region during the summer season.