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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: Animal Nutrition × Author: Geetha, A × Author: KAU × End date: 1990 × Type: Thesis × Thesis Type: M.V.Sc. ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Lucerne meal as an ingredient in calf starter
    (Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1981) Geetha, A; KAU; Sivaraman, E
    An investigation was carried out to assess the feeding value of lucerne meal as a possible substitute for fish meal in calf starters. Eighteen cross bred calves, weaned at birth, were divided into three groups (Groups 1, 11 and 111) of six animals each as uniformly as possible in regard to body weight and maintained on three isoproteimic calf starter diets, A, B and C containing 0, 15 and 20 per cent levels respectively of lucerne meal in partial or complete replacement of fish meal. Records of fortnightly body weights and body measurements were maintained throughout the course of the experiment. Haematological studies were carried out at monthly intervals. Digestibility coefficients of nutrients in the three rations were determined by conducting a digestion trial towards the end of the experiment. Though the control diet appeared better in promoting growth in calves, the overall daily gains and feed efficiency were almost similar with all the three dietary treatments clearly indicating that lucerne meal can replace fish meal at the levels used and fairely meet the amino acid requirements of the calves. Gains in body weight showing a positive correlation between body weight and body measurements. The normal and similar values for blood constituents indicated that all the animals maintained normal nutritional status and inclusion of lucerne meal at levels as used in the present study did not exert any deleterious effect on the health of the animals. An overall critical assessment of results clearly indicated that with isoproteimic diets licerne meal can be safely included in calf starters at levels of 15 and 20 per cent in partial or complete replacement of fish meal.