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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
    Investigations on head drooping In head-on processed prawns
    (Department of Processing Technology, College of Fisheries, Panangad, 1994) Jose, V T; KAU; Sherief, P M
    Head drooping is the major quality problem associated with processing of headon prawns. The head drooping in head on prawns refers to the condition of oozing out of hepatopancreatic juice resulting from the breakage of the arthrodial membrane, which connects cephalothoraz of prawn to abdomen dorsally. The susceptibility of prawns to head drooping depends on the stability of the arthrodial membrane which in turn is determined by its biochemical composition. In this connection various biochemical constituents of the arthrodial membrane such as protein, phospholipid, moisture, calcium and cholesterol were analysed for two specied of prawn, Penaeus indicus and Penaeus monodon under three size groups (30/40, 50/60, and 70/80 pieces /kg). The activities of various hydrolytic enzymes of the hepatopancreas were also studied. The various biochemical constituets showed significant difference between species. Within the same species a size wise variation in the constituents of the arthrodial membrane and enzyme activity of hepatopancreas was observed. The various unit process such as hauling time, ice storage durations, freezing methods, cold storage durations and thawing methods were studied individually for their influence on head drooping. The study shows that the major determinants of head drooping in prawns are the biochemical composition of the arthrodial membrane and the easiness with which the hydrolytic enzymes of the hepatopancreas are released on postmortem handling and processing.