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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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ThesisItem Open Access Quality parameters of certain pre-release cultures of rice developed at regiopnal agricultural research station,Pattambi(Department of Home Science, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1992) Neelofar, Illyaskutty; KAU; Prema, L“The quality parameters of certain pre – release cultures of rice developed at Regional Agricultural Research Station (RARS) Pattambi” were determined by assessing their nutritional composition, physical characteristics, cooking characteristic, as well as organoleptic qualities with Red Triveni as check. The effect of processing methods was also taken into consideration. The nutritional composition of pre – release rice cultures, with reference to calories, starch, protein, ash, calcium, phosphorus and iron were found to be high when compared to Red Triveni. The calorific value, and iron of the parboiled rice samples were also found to be higher. Among the physical characteristics all the pre – release rice cultures were observed to have low values for thousand grain weight and grain dimension, unlike for head rice yield and gelatinization temperature. A decrease on all the physical characteristics except thousand grain weight and head rice yield was observed in samples parboiled. Compared to Red Triveni pre – release rice cultures had obtained lower values for cooking characteristics such as optimum cooking time, elongation index, gruel loss and water uptake and higher value for elongation ratio, volume of expansion and amylose content. As a result of parboiling, optimum cooking time, and elongation ratio were found to increase and there was a decrease in elongation index, gruel loss, volume of expansion, water uptake, amylose content due to parboiling. The flour volume of all the pre – release rice cultures was comparatably high when compared to Red Triveni. Parboiled rice cultures had low flour yield when compared to raw cultures. The increase in batter yield after fermentation was more for Red Triveni when compared to the pre – release rice cultures. Acidity value for all the pre-release cultures were low when compared to Red Triveni. All the pre – release cultures were more acceptable as cooked rice (raw). Parboiling had a negative influence on cooked rice mainly because of less acceptable appearance and colour. Puttu was more acceptable for all the quality attributes in all the rice cultures including Red Triveni. Red Triveni was less acceptable because of its reddish colour. For idiappam, the quality attributes colour and appearance had obtained less score for Red Triveni, cultures 8770 and 871. Iddlimade from parboiled rice obtained lower score for the attributes colour, appearance and texture for all the cultures. Red Triveni had batter texture than all the cultures.ThesisItem Open Access Food consumption and energy expenditure pattern of agricultural labourers of Trivandrum district(Department of Home Science, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1992) Laisamma, Cherian; KAU; Prema, LThe study comprises the socio economic and food consumption profile of the families of agricultural labourers with specific reference to their actual food intake, energy expenditure and nutritional status. The samples surveyed were nuclear type families belonging to under previlaged communities. Family income was directly propotional to the number of persons employed in the family. As the income increased, the percentage of income spent on food decreased majority of the labourers were free from debt and were conscious of saving for future. Families surveyed were non vegetarians by habit. Rice, tapioca, fish, coconut, locally cultivated vegetables, milk, cooking oils and sugar were the main items included in their daily diets. Home production of food articles helped to improve the consumption pattern of the families qualitatively but not quantitatively. Majority of the labourers followed unscientific culinary practices in cooking and storage of food articles. Unbalanced, monotonous meal pattern was observed among the families. Compared to other stages of life, special attention for feeding were given only during infancy and preschool period. No special foods were given during adolescent period or for women during pregnancy and lactation. Irrespective of the nutritional requirements of the family members, first preference was given to the head of the family while serving food. The labourers selected were getting employment for 24 days in a month and their health status was satisfactory. Besides outside employment, female labourers were fully responsible for household works and child care practices. Compared to female labourers, unhealthy habits were prevalent more among males. Because of the outside employment of the mother growth of the children were adversely affected. Consumption of food quantitatively and availability of nutrients from the meal were not satisfactory in the two groups surveyed. The nutrients like retinol, thiamine and riboflavin were deficient in the diets of male agricultural labourers, while iron, retinol and riboflavin were deficient in the diets of female agricultural labourers. In the two groups energy expenditure was more than energy intake. Haemoglobin level was better among male labourers. The data when statistically analysed, indicated a significant correlation between height and weight and nutritional status Index (NSI) and Body Mass Index (BMI) for male labourers and BMI and weight and BMI and energy expenditure for female labourers. Significant correlation developed in the Nutritional status Index (NSI) of male agricultural labourersThesisItem Open Access Food consumption and energy expenditure pattern of self employed women in unorganised sector(Department of Home Science, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1990) Sujatha, A S; KAU; Prema, LA study on the “Food consumption and energy expenditure pattern of self employed women in unorganized sector” was conducted to assess the socio-economic and food consumption and energy expenditure pattern of the women engaged in stone breaking. 150 household surveyed were representing scheduled caste and other backward communities. The families were of nuclear type with four members in the family. Rice, tapioca, fish and coconut were found to be the major ingredients in their daily meal pattern. No special foods were provided during physiological conditions. On an average they engaged in stone breaking for about 8 hours / day and for 5 to 6 days in a week. Time spent for various activities viz. for personal care, child care and leisure was not adequate. The difficulties imposed on these home makers due to the dual role were improper care of the family, inability to cope with the household work and lack of time for child care. Due to economic reasons they engaged in stone breaking even during pregnancy till term and after delivery most of them took their children to the work site. Their actual food and nutrient intake was found to be unsatisfactory which was reflected in their low body weights and prevalence of many nutritional disorders especially anaemia. All the women were found to have a negative energy balance. Knowledge of these women on health and nutrition was found to be satisfactory and statistical analysis indicated that age had a negative significant correlation and education had a positive significant correlation with the knowledge of the women regarding food and health. Attitude of the women towards this occupation was found to be positive since this was considered to be a solution to the unemployment problem. Statistical treatment of the data revealed that age has a negative correlation and educational level of the women had a a significant positive correlation with the attitude of women towards this work.ThesisItem Open Access Impact of banana based supplementary food on the nutritional status of infants(Department of Home Science, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1992) Susan Joseph, K; KAU; Prema, LA study on “Impact of banana based supplementary food on the nutritional status of the infants” was conducted among selected fifteen infants using a supplementary food based on locally available food articles like banana, sesame, horsegram and skim milk powder in the proportion of 30:20:30:20. Prior to the experiment a survey was conducted to ascertain the feasibility of introducing such supplementary food among the rural families. The survey conducted among seventy five families selected from under previlaged section of the community revealed that they were large families with more women and children. Education level was low for these families. Diets consumed by these families were with little variety. Data on infant feeding practices revealed that infants were put on prolonged breast feeding with long interval between feeds. Type of food given to the infants were not nutritious. This indicates that there is urgency for introduction of such supplementary food. The present feeding trial was conducted for six months with fifteen infants in the experiment group. A comparison of the anthropometric measurements like heights and weights revealed a favourable trend towards the experimental group. Data on Height for age profile, and weight / height2 Head/Chest circumference ratio, Mid arm circumference/ Head circumference ratio and clinical record also indicated favourable trends in the case of infants belonging to experimental and control group. An assessment of anthropometric measurements of the infant of experimental group indicated a significant increase when compared to the control group. Hence, it can be concluded that the banana based supplementary food tried in the above feeding trial is found to be suitable one for popularising as a supplementary feed for the infant.ThesisItem Open Access Impact of integrated child developement services on the nutritional status of preschool children(Department of Home Science, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1990) Jaifaneesa Beegum, A; KAU; Prema, LThe present study to find out the impact of Integrated Child Development Services on the nutritional status of preschool children was conducted in Trivandrum urban project area which included four project sectors viz. Vallakadavu, Punthura, Paruthikuzhy and Veli. Comparative study was conducted among preschool children who were non- beneficiaries of Integrated child Development Services selected from the same are and socio-economic group, since such data is not available at present. Information regarding the socio-economic background and dietary habits of the families with special reference to the nutritional status of preschool children were collected through weighment, anthropometric, clinical, biochemical and growth monitoring studies. The results of the study showed that majority of the families surveyed in both experimental and control groups were of nuclear type families belonging to the under privileged section of the community, their main occupation were manual labour and fishing. Majority of the adult members in both the groups were found to be illiterates. Majority of the families subsisted below the poverty line and spent more than 60 persent of the family income on food. All the families were habitual non-vegetarians.Rice, tapioca, fish and coconut were found to be the major ingredients in their daily meal pattern. Children in both the groups were found to have unhealthy food preferences like sweets and fried foods. In the experimental group the preference given to children in serving meals may be due to the influence of nutrition education programmes implemented under Integrated Child Development Services Programmes. Results of the food weighment survey indicated that the diets of preschool children in both the groups were inadequate and unbalanced. The consumption of protective food were too low. Calorie consumption in control group of children were unsatisfactory. Since consumption of fish was high in both the groups the availability of proteins in the daily diet were above the recommended Daily Allowance. But in control group this high protein intake become inadequate in the face of calorie inadequacy as protein would be utilized for purpose of providing energy. These observations may therefore be interpreted as indicating that protein deficiency in our preschool children is conditioned to a considerable extent by low intake of calories and that primary bottleneck in the current dietaries of poor Indian Children is not protein but calories. Results of the anthropometric measurements pointed out varying degree of growth retardation in both the groups. Anaemia was the common deficiency symptoms manifested among children of these areas in both the groups. In the control group children, a high incidence of angular stomatitis and dental caries were observed. Growth monitoring for 6 months using growth charts indicated that the mean body weights of preschool children of control group was found to be more but the difference was not statistically significant. All the mothers had sufficient knowledge regarding the various components of Integrated Child Development Services except in the areas of health education and referral services. The attitude of mothers towards the programme revealed that all the mothers had negative attitude towards the method of cooking foods in the anganwadi centres and distribution of medicines for the beneficiaries. Majority of the mothers had not adopted the home production of vegetables and poultry keeping. The lacunae located in the present study as reported by the mothers were inadequate students strength in Anganwadies due to irregular management and indifference of the anganwadi worker, improper timing for supplementary feeding and immunization, lack of play space in Anganwadies, lack of referral services and nutrition and health education classes. From the present study it was clear that in the implementation of the Integrated Child Development Services Programmes all the six different components were not given equal weightage. This stresses the need for giving equal importance to all the six components, frequent visits by auxiliary Nurses and Midwives and other Medical Personnels and for proper supervision by senior field officials, so as to correct the problems located.ThesisItem Open Access Influence of Dietary Habits on Atherosclerosis(Department of Home Science, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1990) Leena Joseph, P; KAU; Usha, VA study on the influence of dietary habits on atherosclerosis was conducted among patients attending the Cardiac clinic at Medical College. Trivandrum. An assessment of the socio economic and food consumption pattern of the families of atherosclerotic patients. personal characteristics as well as dietary pattern of the patients and the effect of diet counselling which was imparted to selected case studies was also made. The results of the socio economic and dietary survey conducted in 100 families of the atherosclerotic patients, attending the Cardiac clinic at Trivandrum Medical College, revealed that, most of the patients belonging to the low socio economic group, resided in the rural areas and were habitual non vegetarians (95 per cent). Around 63 per cent of the families spent upto 60 per cent of their monthly income on food, purchasing staple food articles like cereals and roots and tubers weekly, perishable foods like milk, fish, leafy vegetables and other vegetables daily, and other foods like oilseeds, cooking oils, sugar and spices and condiments monthly. Pulses, fruits, meat and egg were purchased only occasionally by majority of the families. All the families used rice daily but majority of them were not in the habit of using cereals other than rice and wheat in their daily dietaries. Milk, fish, vegetables and cereals, palm oil, coconut oil, sugar, coconut, spices and condiments etc. were consumed daily by almost all the families. A comparison of daily food intake with RDA indicated that consumption of fruits, fish and meat, milk and milk products and sugar were in excess. The intake of almost all the nutrients were found to be satisfactory in the case of male members in the family, while the intakes of most of the nutrients was found to be higher among the female members. The personal characteristics and dietary pattern of the patients showed that the prevalence of the disease was high in men and the age at onset of disease was between 41-65 years. Twenty two per cent of the patients had a family history of the disease. The occurrence of hyper-tension (54 per cent), obesity (33 per cent) and diabetic (25 percent) among the patients was found to be prevalent. Alcoholism, smoking and tobacco chewing were also found in few patients. Fried food items prepared in palm oil or coconut oil were consumed without any restrictions some patients were in the habit of taking hypocholesterolemic agents like bittergourd, garlic etc. Inclusion of food exchanges which supplied more calories was food to be more frequent in their daily diets. Diet counselling at Cardiac clinic was imparted without the help of a dietition and the diet planning was not according to the individual needs of the patients. Most of the patients were not satisfied with the modified diet prescribed in the clinic. Amount of the actual intake of major nutrients by patients through food weighment survey indicated that the proportion of calories from fat was found to be high in all the patients and the proportion of calories from carbohydrate was considerably low. The present study indicated that educating the patients. With regard to a modified diet suitable to their individual life styles and economic conditions is very important in the control of the disease. The diet counselling which was imparted by the investigator in selected case studies for six months was found to be effective in controlling blood lipid levels of atherosclerotic patients. This implies that a well balanced diet with the correct proportion of carbohydrates, proteins and fats according to the patients ideal body weights will bring about a reduction in the blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels.ThesisItem Open Access Assessment of nutritional status of school children residing in G.V.Raja sports school(Department of Home Science, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1992) Mini, K; KAU; Mary, UkkuruA study on the “Assessment of nutritional status of school children residing in G.V.Raja sports school” was conducted on G.V. Raja Sports School, Sanghumugham. It was found that majority of them were Christians and belonged to forward community and families were joint type with medium size. Most of the children were born as first or second child. Food consumption pattern revealed that all of them were non vegetarians and consume all of foods from different food groups viz. cereals, pulses roots & tubers, animal foods , milk and leafy vegetables in their home diet. Many of the athletes preferred food combinations like cereals, meat with vegetable preparations. Taste and nutritive value were the major reason for recording the food preferences. Analysis of the dietary menu followed in the hostel it was observed that foods from different food groups were included in the dietaries of the hostel. However the athletes resort to their own food preferences in both groups. Reason being the unfamiliarity of foods, and inclusion of more amount of non-vegetarian foods served. There is a practice of taking special foods by sports children during pre and post game periods. But it was observed that very few of them practices such a habit. Special foods were also taken by the athletes while preparing for competitions. It was observed that 34 percent of them taken special foods while preparing for competitions. Majority of the athletes restrict the quantity of food they consume, during the period of preparation for competition. On analyzing anthropometric data it was found that weight from age, height for age of athletes did not significantly differ from the standards suggested by Vijayaraghavan (1971). However when compared to NCHS standards the weight and height profile of the children were found to be below the standard. Majority of boys and girls had normal body mass index whereas arm circumference of the girls were above than the standards. Same trend was seen in boys with regard to skinfold thickness. Clinical examination of the athletes indicated that dental carries and mottled enamel were common manifestations. Haemoglobin levels were found to be higher than the normal for all athletes. Nutritional status of the boys in the age groups 13 and 14 years were found to be significantly higher than that of girls. In the age groups 15, 16 and 17 girls were significantly superior in nutritional status than boys. Consumption pattern of the athletes depicted that cereals and pulses were consumed higher than the recommended daily allowances whereas other food stuffs were consumed inadequately. Nutrients such as calories, proteins and Vitamin A were met around eighty five percent of the recommended daily allowances. The other nutrients were met inadequately when compared to the recommended daily allowances. Athletics was the most preferred activity among the children surveyed and majority of them participate regularly in their activities. Energy expenditure pattern of the athletes revealed that in majority of the boys and in all the girls energy intake was surplus than expenditure.
