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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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  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    Agricultural financing through kisan credit card scheme in Thrissur district
    (Department of Rural Banking and Finance Management,College of Co Operation Banking and Management, Vellanikkara, 2005) Ronia C, Antony; KAU; George, K M
    The study on ‘The Agricultural Financing through Kisan Credit Card Scheme in Thrissur district’ was undertaken with the following objectives. 1. To examine the procedural differences among various lending institutions in implementing the scheme of Kisan Credit Card. 2. To study the farmers’ behaviour towards the Kisan Credit Card Scheme. The study was conducted among three banks of Thrissur district viz., Canara bank, Federal bank and TDCB. The banks were having issued highest number of Kisan Credit cards in the year 2000-01. Branches of these banks were selected from highest amount of crop lending block i.e. Ollukkara block. A sample group of 50 card holders from each banks were selected for survey. Secondary data on procedural formalities of the banks were also used for the study. Statistical tools like percentages, averages, satisfaction index, priority index and bi-variate and multi-variate tables were used for analysis. The analysis on the first objective revealed that there are both similarities and dissimilarities in their formalities. In launching of Kisan Credit Card Scheme, objective, eligibility criteria of farmers, credit limit fixation, security and margin requirement, interest rate, repayment period, issue of cheque books and levying service charges could see many procedural differences among the banks. But in documentation, issue of cards, maintenance of accounts, monitoring mechanism and replacement of lost cards, their formalities are more or less similar. The study revealed that major reasons for selecting the branches were proximity to their residence followed by quality of their service. It was further observed that almost all the respondents agreed that expansion of their agricultural operations and to meet their working capital requirement were the major purpose of joining the scheme. The study again revealed that majority of card holders were the bank’s existing borrowers. Here the banks were inefficient to cater more number of farmers under the scheme. In case of credit utilization pattern of card holders, majority were sanctioned their credit limit above 90 percent of their applied amount. Almost all the farmers were utilizing about full amount of the credit. It was found that most of the farmers have repaid their credit within the time limit. Among the sample banks, TDCB showed comparatively better performance in the repayment. Only a small number of respondents were defaulting their repayment, mainly because of price fall and loan diversion. The study revealed that majority of farmers utilised below Rs. 25000 for agricultural purpose, because the dominance of small and marginal farmers in the scheme. A close observation of the scheme reveals that the respondents are satisfied with the performance of the scheme. The study emphasized that steps should be taken to provide proper extension service to farmers inorder to improve their productivity. The study again suggested that financing under the scheme in a compact area will be more effective than present unplanned scattered lending.