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

20131
Reset filters
Subject: Home Science × Author: Blossom, K.L × Author: KAU × End date: 2020 × Start date: 2010 × Thesis Type: Ph.D ×
Reset filters

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Food and nutritional security scenario of BPL families of central zone of Kerala
    (Department of Home Science, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2013) Blossom, K.L; KAU; Indira, V
    The study entitled “Food and Nutritional Security Scenario of BPL Families of Central Zone of Kerala” was undertaken to assess the extent and determinants of food and nutritional security among the BPL families of Central Kerala and to study the impact of food security on the nutritional status of women and preschool children. All the four districts of Central Zone of Kerala namely Thrissur, Ernakulam, Palakkad and Malappuram were selected for the study. A total of 400 BPL families comprising 100 families from each district formed the sample for the study. Detailed study on nutritional status of women and preschool children as well as Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) were conducted among 60 women in the age group of 25 to 35 years and 60 preschool children in the age group of 3 to 5 years. The food security of the families was assessed by the three dimensions namely food access, availability and absorption of nutrients. Access and availability were assessed by the socioeconomic status, food consumption pattern and food purchasing pattern of the families. Absorption was determined by assessing the nutritional status of the family members. Overall food security of the families was measured using USDA (2000) module and MSSRF (2008) index. Nutritional security of the families and family members were determined from the intake of nutrients. Nuclear family system with four to six members was observed among most of the families. Educational and occupational status indicated that most of the adult members were literate and working as labourers on daily wages. The monthly income of 72 per cent of families varied from Rs. 4001/- to 12,000/. Most of the families did not earn any income from domestic animals and 27.25 per cent had the habit of saving money. The monthly expenditure pattern of the families revealed that 76 per cent spent up to 50 per cent of their income for food. Most of the families had own houses built with bricks, tiled roofing and cement flooring. Electricity and toilet facilities were present in almost all houses. Health care facilities were found to be satisfactory and 82 per cent of families utilised the public health facilities available in their locality. Three meal a day pattern was followed by 98 per cent of the families and they kept regular time schedule for taking meal. However, only 37 per cent planned their meal in advance and only 48 per cent of families included raw fruits and vegetables in their diet. Most frequently used food items were cereals, pulses, other vegetables, fats and oils, sugar and fish. Green leafy vegetables, roots and tubers, fruits, milk and milk products and eggs were used to a lesser extent. All families spent upto ten per cent of their food expenditure for the purchase of cereals. Fifty five to 61 per cent of the families spent 11 to 20 per cent of the monthly food expenses for the purchase of fish and other vegetables. The quantity of vegetables, fruits and milk and milk products purchased by majority of the families satisfied less than 25 per cent of the requirement. Gross inadequacy in the intake of all food groups except non vegetarian items was noticed among the family members. The intake of macro and micronutrients was also found to be lower than the recommended dietary allowances suggested by ICMR. Different grades of malnutrition were noticed among children, adolescents and adult members. On the basis of anthropometric indicators, normal nutritional status was noticed only among 37 per cent children below 12 years, 45 per cent adolescents, 48 per cent adults and 55 per cent elderly. Gross deficit in the intake of certain food groups and nutrients was also noticed among women and preschool children. Mild form of nutritional anaemia was prevalent among 40.82 per cent women and 31.71 per cent preschool children. However, clinical signs of nutritional deficiencies were noticed only to a lesser extent among women and preschool children. The blood profile for serum protein, albumin, globulin and creatinine was also found to be in the normal range indicating adequacy in the protein status among women and preschool children. The overall food and nutritional security was found to be below 20 per cent among the BPL families of Central Kerala. Families without children had better food and nutritional security. Comparatively, severe food and nutritional insecurity affected only a small proportion of the families. Mild to moderate forms of insecurity were more prevalent. Food security had a positive impact on the nutritional status of women and preschool children. Among the different factors affecting food security, family size was found to be the most important one.