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
    Studies on depuration of edible oyster Crassostrea madrasensis (Preston)
    (Department of processing technology, College of fisheries, Panangad, 1993) Usha, P T; KAU; Damodaran, Namboodiri
    Oysters crassostrea madrasensis harvested from cochin back waters are commonly contaminated with low levels of food poisoning organisms such as E.coli, Salmonella, Shigella, Vibrio cholera, V-parahaemolyticus etc, heavy metals like cadmium, lead, copper, zinc, mercury etc and sand content. Depuration studies were conducted to find out any changes in the biochemical constituents such as total Nitrogen, salt soluble Nitrogen, Non protein Nitrogen, Ash and sand content. The studies revealed that there were no significant changes in the biochemical constituents during the 48th depuration period. Oysters were laboratory contaminated to levels in excess of 10000 cells /g with E.coli and it was cleansed from such oysters during purification in a laboratory depuration unit that used ultraviolet light and chlorination for sterilizing the depuration water. Depuration in sterilized water using ultra violet light treatment was found to be more efficient in cleansing the oyster of pathogen, E.Coli than using chlorination. Of the two salinity tested depuration of oyster in seawater at 35 ppt salinity gave better results compared t that in 30ppt salinity sea water both sterilised with uv light. Depuration of oyster in unsterile seawater and in seawater sterilised 10 ppm chlorination was found to be least effective in cleansing the oyster to the acceptable international standard of less than 2.3 E.Coli/g oyster meat within 48h depuration. There was no appreciated change in the sensory characteristics of oysters such as aroma, taste, and flavor. However there was significant change in the grittiness characteristics of oyster after 48h depuration. Depuration was not effective in removing heavy metals such as cadmium, lead, zinc, Tin and Mercury from the oyster within the depuration period of 48h.