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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: Home Science × Author: Ajitha, R × Author: KAU × End date: 2000 × Start date: 2000 × Type: Thesis × Thesis Type: M.Sc ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Dietary habits of senior citizens
    (Department of Home Science, College of Agriculture,Vellayani, 2000) Ajitha, R; KAU; Vimalakumari, N K
    The study entitled "Dietary habits of senior citizens", was conducted to assess the dietary pattern of senior citizens as influenced by physical, psychological, socio- • economic factors. Two hundred elderly citizens in the age group of 65-75 years from urban (100) and rural (100) areas ofTrivandrum were selected for the study. There was major variations between rural and urban elderly as well as male and female elderly as far as their economic, social and personal profile were examined, which could influence their dietary pattern directly or indirectly. The urban citizens had better educational status than rural citizens. Though there were no major variations in the number of citizens currently employed both among urban and rural citizens, there was significant variation in their dietary habits. The meal pattern of urban citizens were relatively adequate than rural citizens. The inclusion of nutritious foods were less among rural citizens. Both urban and rural citizens had made changes in their diet due to problems related to aging. The personal habits like smoking, tobacco use, alcohol, consumption were less among urban citizens. They had also perceived their health to be good. They had better functional ability (mainly IADL), and also better physical and social environment. The female citizens had better body weight than men and the prevalence of deficiency diseases and other degenerative diseases were low among them. But male citizens were doing strenuous activity and they had better functional capacity than females. The results of the study revealed a significant association between dietary habits of the elderly and their socio-economic and personal characteristics. It was observed 2 that the age had a significant influence on current dietary pattern and number of meals consumed. Age also was found to influence the consumption of milk, meat, egg and pulses. Current employment was found to have a significance influence on the number of meals taken out. Among rural citizens the number of meals consumed per day and their habit of dining out had a significant bearing on the body mass index. Less consumption of pulses, milk, commercial health preparations and supplements were found to have a significant influence on the presence of deficiency diseases among rural elderly. Social relationships were also found to have a significant influence on the current dietary pattern. Frequency of taking alcohol was found to have a profound influence on number of meals consumed both among rural and urban citizens. In general the study revealed that the urban elderly had better dietary habits, living arrangements and greater freedom to spend money. But the rural elderly were found to be performing strenuous activity even at the age of seventy though they had diets containing lesser amount of protective foods. It was also found that the dietary habits of the elderly were influen~ed significantly by their social and economic conditions, rather than by functional or psychological factors.