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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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1987 - 19893
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Subject: Food and Nutrition × Author: KAU × End date: 2000 × Thesis Type: M.Sc ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Developing Indigenous weaning food based on Ragi flour
    (College of Rural Home Science, Vellayani, 1987) Jessy Philip; KAU; Prema, L
    A study was conducted to develop a weaning food based on ragi flour which is nutritious,low cost and acceptable The ragi flour was supplemented with green gram,sesame, tapioca and skim milk powder to improve the nutritive value. Based on the nutritive value and chemical score, six combinations of weaning formulae were developed. Protein quality of the weaning formulae assessed through animal experiments reveal that the weaning formulae which contains ragi, green gram, sesame, tapioca and skim milk powder in the ratio3:2:1.5:2:1.5 gave significantly better values for all the criteria. The acceptability of the weaning formulae was assessed by the panel members, mothers and children. The results of the study indicate that the bland porridge prepared with the weaning formulae was acceptable. The bland porridge was deficient in calories, vitamin A and iron. Other food ingredients were added to make.up these deficiencies and. two recipes were standardised. The recipes were also found to be acceptable by the panel members and children.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Influence of nutritional status on intelligence of children in nes block Trivandrum
    (Department of Home Science, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1989) Sandya, Kamath V; KAU; Prema, L
    A study was conducted to find the influence of nutritional status on the intelligence of children of various age groups (3 years to 15 years) from different schools that come under NES block, Trivandrum Rural. A survey was conducted to assess socio-economic status and dietary pattern of the families. The nutritional status of the children was assessed by anthropometric, clinical and biochemical techniques. Information regarding health and behavioural problems at home were also collected. An assessment of the children by the respective class teacher was also included to throw light on the child’s intellectual, social and behavioural pattern at school. An intelligence test (Mathew test of Mental Abilities) was administered to assess the intelligence of the selected children and the results were analysed statistically. The results of the study indicated that no special attention was given in the diets of the children and the diet on an average was found deficient in iron and vitamin A. Almost all infectious diseases and behavioural problems like nail biting , bed wetting, thumb sucking were very common among these children. An analysis of anthropometric data revealed that height in proportion to age was nearly equal to standards prescribed while weight for age was slightly less. Clinical and biochemical studies revealed that all the preschool children and 85 percent of female children of high school level were anaemic. The results of the above study has proved that the intelligence of children was influenced by nutritional as well as non- nutritional factors. Major non-nutritional factors identified were educational level of parents, family size and type and socio – economic status of the family.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Nutritional profile of kanikkar women in Amboori area
    (Department of Home Science, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1989) Felsy, Thomas; KAU; Prema, L
    A study to assess the nutritional profile of Kanikkar women in Amboori area was conducted through ecological, socio-economic and food consumption survey, anthropometric, clinical and biochemical assessment and through time and motion studies. The results of the survey conducted in eight Kanikkar hamlets which comprise 177 families depicted that all the families are of Hindu faith, with an average family size of four. Majority of the families are of nuclear type with equal literacy level among men and women. 65 per cent of the families surveyed are below the poverty line. 85 percent of the tribal families spend more than 80 percent of their income on food. Among food articles the major expenditure is towards the purchase of cereals, followed by fish and oil seeds (coconut). Tapioca which is the most popular food is completely home produced. Their culinary practices are similar to those adopted by the rural families residing around and elsewhere in the state. Only 50 percent of the tribal families surveyed are in the habit of preserving foods. Three meal-a-day system is adopted by them. The weighment survey revealed that the diets of the women are quantitatively inadequate in all food groups except roots and tubers, fish and other vegetables (with seasonal variations). The average consumption of cereals range from 75g to 95g per day. Pulses, milk, milk products and meat are lacking in their diets. They compensated for their lesser intake of cereals with an excess intake of roots and tubers (tapioca) fish and other vegetables. In general the diets of the Kanikkar women are deficient in all nutrients except vitamin C. No special food is prepared in the tribal homes for the infants. They follow food restrictions during illness and certain foods are given or with held by them for girls at menarch and for women in the post - delivery period. Alcoholism, betel chewing and smoking are common among them. An attitude survey among the women to test their knowledge about food and nutrition revealed that they are not aware of persons requiring special feeding in a family or effect of food on the body. Anthropometric data of the tribal women revealed gross inadequacy in the weight for–height-for-age profile. Estimations of haemoglobin level showed that 60percent of the women tested are anemic, in addition vitamin A deficiency (30percent) and niacin deficiency (10 percent) have also been noted. Time and motion studies showed that the tribal house wife spend maximum time for agricultural activities, cooking and going to the market and minimum time for personal and child care. The size of the family, number of acres of land possessed by the family and number of adult women in the family have no significant effect on time utilization pattern of the house-wife.