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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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2020 - 20212
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Subject: Farm, Machinery and Power × End date: 2021 × Start date: 2020 × Type: Thesis × Thesis Type: M.Sc ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Design analysis of suitable cutter header assembly for pokkali paddy harvester
    (Department of Farm Machinery and power engineering, KCAET, Tavanur, 2021) Rathinavel, S; KAU; Sindhu, Bhaskar
    Pokkali system of rice cultivation is a unique farming under pokkali ecosystem prevalent exclusively in central Kerala. Harvesting of paddy in pokkali is to be carried out under stagnated water level which may raise upto five feet. Hence a research was undertaken to design a suitable cutter header assembly for the harvester, as other existing harvesting machines can’t be used in pokkali fields. Existing machines were studied and their drawbacks were identified. Four different designs of cutter header assembly models were made suiting an existing amphibian weed harvester (Truxor DM 5045). The four design models were design I (multiple bat reel system), design II (single bat reel system), design III (vertical axis reel system) and design IV (floating assembly with projected conveyor system). Selection of the best model out of these four was carried out by Quality Function Deployment (QFD) Technique along with Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) as a sub process, statistical analysis with expert ratings on models and Finite Element Analysis (FEM) on components suspected to failure of the selected models. All the results were collectively analysed and design II (single bat reel system) was selected. Also the design I (multiple bat reel system) can be an alternative as per statistical analysis. The single bat reel type system consists of single bat reel with elongated tynes. The corrosion resistant standard type cutterbar is finalized. Other specifications such as position of assembly, material of construction, dimensions etc were discussed in detail. Further the design, development and evaluation are suggested on the selected models with reduced size machine with same features and components as in Truxor DM 5045 (Amphibian weed harvesting machine)
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Development of a semi autonomous robotic platform for intercultural operations in row crops
    (Department of Farm Machinery and Power Engineering, Kelappaji College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology,Tavanur, 2020) Athira, P; KAU; Shaji James, P
    A semi-autonomous robotic platform was conceptualized for performing the intercultural operations in row crops. It was expected to be capable of navigating within the field and performing the intended intercultural operation according to the user command. The dimensions of the chassis (track width and ground clearance) were determined on the basis of agronomic characteristics of the crop. Wheel mounted geared motors were used for self-propulsion. The wheel variables were decided based on the rolling resistance and terramechanics relationships. A six-wheel independent drive skidsteering drive mechanism was provided to the robotic platform. Arduino Mega was the microcontroller used which was interfaced with the drive motors via L298N motor driver for speed and direction control. The microcontroller was programmed in Arduino IDE software using C++ language. The wireless communication system was based on Radio Frequency (RF) protocol using Flysky FS i6 2.4GHz Six-channel Transmitter Remote Controller with FS-iA6 Receiver unit. The monitoring guidance of the prototype was accomplished on the basis of real-time video streaming using Wi-Fi enabled wireless IP camera. The operational unit was controlled by relay driver circuits. Geared DC motor operated cable drive slider mechanisms actuated the position control of the sprayer unit. The developed prototype was evaluated in both lab and field conditions. The speed of travel obtained was less than the rated speed. The total power consumed by the prototype increased with increase in the load. The deviation of the prototype from a straight path could be corrected by the use of steering controls by the operator. The control unit functioned satisfactorily for every command by the user. During the basic field trial, a non-uniform distribution of load on each ground-contact point occurred due to the undulated terrain. Therefore, wheels were subjected to sinkage which resulted in lack of proper traction and wheel slip. The tractive forces were then insufficient to overcome the soil resistance. The test resulted in the requirement for a modified drive mechanism for the prototype. The modified design of the drive mechanism comprised of high torque motors (24 V, 8Nm, 300 RPM DC motor) with reducer unit, high power motor drivers (BTS7960) and larger diameter pneumatic wheels (30.48 cm diameter). A suspension could also be provided to maintain uniform load distribution on each groundcontact points. As the torque exerted by these motors would be greater than the required torque, the design was safe. The cost for modified prototype was estimated to be Rs.65000/-.