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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: Dairy Chemistry × End date: 2010 × Start date: 2009 × Thesis Type: M.V.Sc. ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Techno- economic analysis of mid- size organised dairy farm
    (Department of Livestock Production and Management, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2009) Ayub, A; KAU; Joseph, Mathew
    Seven farms in three districts of Kerala (Palakkad, Malappuram and Thrissur) were studied taking University Livestock Farm (ULF), Mannuthy as control. Feeding, breeding, health, marketing and economics of these farms were studied. Peak yield was seen achieved before one month of lactation. Persistency was optimum in 28% of farms. Occurrence of disease was more in large farms. Mastitis was the major cause of economic loss followed by Lameness and dermatitis. Among reproductive parameters, calving interval and service period were not ideal in all the farms. Best reproductive performance was observed in the ULF and this included a calving interval of 358 days and service period of 82 days respectively. Rearing of calves was not adequate in almost all the farms visited. Calf scour and Joint ill were the common diseases observed among calves. Farmers were reluctant to maintain replacement stock as it was not economical. Vaccination against Foot and Mouth disease were done in all farms regularly. Feed cost was the most important variable which contributed the major share of expense. Increased use of non conventional feeds reduced feed cost. Roughage consumption was not adequate in many of the farms. Branded feeds were not used in any of the farms except ULF. Crude protein requirement was met through the daily ration as per the National Research Council (NRC) recommendations. Labour was the second largest component in the variable cost. Labour efficiency was more in large farms than medium sized farms. More than 60 percent of labourers were from outside states. Majority (71%) of farms sold milk directly to the consumers to get better profit. Present study revealed that profitability of a farm depended on productivity of the animals which in turn relied on feed, breed and breeding. Efficient utilization of feeds and labour determined the economic viability of farms. Size of the farm was another factor that determined the profitability. Large farms with more than 50 herds were more profitable than medium farms with 25 to 50 animals.