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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 Food preference and dietary habits of adolescents among agricultural laboures(Department of Home Science, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1993) Mony Paul, E; KAU; Mary, UkkuruA study entitled food preference and dietary habits of adolescents among agricultural labourers families was undertaken to assess the socio economic personal characteristics food consumption pattern food preferences and the nutritional status of adolescents boys and girls. Majority of the families surveyed belonged to Hindu community and were under privileged. The families were nuclear type with medium size. Father was the main bread winner and major share of the income was earned by the male member. The per capita income of majority of families were found to be between 100 to 200. All the surveyed adolescencts were found to be well educated. All of the surveyed adolescents were non vegetarian cereals, vegetables, roots and tubers, milk fish fats and oils , sugar and jiggery and spices were found to be high frequently used foods among the adolescents. Pulses and fruits were medium frequently used foods . Green leafy vegetables meat and egg were low frequently used foods among them. Cereal based preparation were liked by both adolescents boys and girls. They liked fried foods and sweet preparations. Adolescents most preferred foods were found to be egg, apple, grapes, plantain, sapota and cashew nuts and low preferred foods were ragi, raddish, bittergourd , ivy gourd, star gooseberry and watermelon. Food preference of adolescent boys and girls were not found to vary very much. Factors such as total income of the family, type and size of family, educational status of adolescents and their parents, and the influence of peers were not found to influence the food preferences of the studied adolescents. Consumption of cereals, and fish met above the recommended dietary allowances (RDA) and nutrients such as protein , energy thiamine and niacin was met above 90 percent of RDA in adolescent boys and girls apart from vitamin C in adolescent girls. Weight for age and height for age of the adolescents were below the NCHS standard as well as Indian standards. Anaemia, pigmentation of skin , dental caries were the most common clinical manifestations in both adolescent boys and girls. Normal haemoglobin level was observed only in negligible adolescents. Nutritional status of adolescent girls were found to be better than adolescent boys in the present study.ThesisItem Open Access Nutritional status and dietary habits of irulas of Attappady(Department of Home Science, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1993) Indira, V; KAU; Prema, LA study on the nutritional status and dietary habits of Irulas of Attappady was carried out among 180 families to assess the socio-economic and food consumption pattern of the tribal families and also to assess the nutritional status of the children between the age group of 5 to 15 years. The results of the study indicated that majority of the families were of nuclear type with an average family size of 4.73. Agriculture labour was the main occupation of the tribes and most of the families were below the poverty line. Housing conditions and personal hygiene of the families were found to be poor. Irula tribes in general, were habitually non-vegetarians. Major expenditure of the family income was incurred for food especially cereals. Diet was found to be monotonous with less variety. Two –meal-a-day pattern was the standard system followed by the families, which included cereals, fats and oils and spices and condiments. Boiling was the predominant cooking method followed by the Irula tribes. Gunny bags were used to store cereals and pulses. Tribal families followed certain food restrictions during illness and special food were not included either in the diet of pregnant of lactating women or in the diet of children. Prolonged breast feeding and late weaning was practiced by the Irula tribes. The nutritional status of the children between 5 to 15 years of age was deficient and it was revealed in the anthropometric measurements like height, weight, mid upper arm circumference and skinfold thickness. Food weighment survey revealed a deficient intake of all foods except cereals. The intake of most of the nutrients was low. Low to medium nutritional status was observed among most of the children and birth order of the boys was found to influence their nutritional status. Anaemia was the most important clinical symptom observed among children which was reflected in the biochemical examination of blood for haemoglobin RBC count and packed cell volume. Sickle cell anaemia and parasitic infestations were observed among the children. The respondents had a favourable attitude towards the developmental programme implemented by various agencies to improve their health status. However awareness about health and nutrition was found to be poor.ThesisItem Open Access Nutritional status of women engaged in fishvending in Thivandurm district(Department of Home Science, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1993) Karuna, M S; KAU; Prema, LThe study on the “Nutritional status of women engaged in fishvending in Trivandrum District” comprises of the socio-economic and food consumption pattern of the fisherwomen families with special reference to their actual food intake, energy expenditure and nutritional status. Families surveyed were nuclear type belonging to under privileged communities. Main occupation of the families was fishing and fishvending. Most of the families belonged to the income groups of Rs.1000 to 2000. In these families as the income increased the percentage of income spent on food items decreased. Expenditure on education and health was very low. Male members spent much money for their faulty habits like alcoholism and playing cards. Most of the families were in debts and only women were responsible for the economic management of the families. Index developed from various socio-economic variables revealed that all the families lived below the poverty line. All the families were non-vegetarians and fish was the main nonvegetarian food in their diet. However, consumption of vegetables, pulses, eggs and green leafy vegetables was less due to lack of knowledge about nutritious food. Preparation of food is not upto the standard and this results in the poor quality of the food. Unbalanced, monotonous meal pattern was observed in the community. Compared to other stages of life, special attention was given only during infancy and pre-school period. Besides fishvending women were responsible for household tasks and child care practices. The women got employment for 7 months in a year. Most of the women sold the fish either in the markets in the city or by home to home delivery. Income getting from fishvending was not in proportion to the distance covered. Time spent for fishvending activity was more than the time they spent for other activities. Most of the household activities were combined with fishvending activities. It was found that total time spent for fishvending and household activities was more than 10 hours in a day. Time spent for fishvending activities was positively associated with family income, age of the fisherwomen and income of the fisherwomen. Compared to recommended daily allowance, higher energy expenditure was noticed in all the fisherwomen studied. Majority of the women were below the normal weight. Body Mass Index of the women showed that 33.33 percent suffered from energy deficiency. Nutritional status index was developed from height, weight and body mass index. The index developed ranged from 14.04 to 18.58. A highly significant positive association was observed in between nutritional status index of the women and their height, weight, BMI, Index developed from socio-economic factors and their energy expenditure. Clinical examination of the fisherwomen revealed that 95.33 percent of the women were suffering from any one of the nutritional deficiency disorders. Consumption of food quantity and availability of nutrients from the food were not satisfactory. The nutrients like energy, calcium, iron , retinol, thiamine , niacin and riboflavin and Vitamin C were deficient in their diets. As a result nutritional deficiency symptoms were more prevalent among them. Energy expenditure was more than the intake of energy. Blood constituents like haemoglobin, total protein albumin and Vitamin A were deficient in many of the women studied. From the above findings it was concluded that the nutritional status of the fisherwomen was found to be affected by geographic, environmental and disease factors.ThesisItem Open Access Food consumption pattern of selected farm families in Thiruvananthapuram district(Department of Home Science, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1993) Jayantha Kumari, S; KAU; Mary, UkkuruThe study entitled food consumption pattern of selected farm families in Thiruvananthapuram District was conducted among the farm families in Venganoor Panchayath, Thiruvananthapuram. It was found that majority of the families were Hindus and belonged to fore ward community. Nuclear type small sized families characterized these farm families. Majority of the families were found to have pre-adolescent and adolescent aged children and majority of the family members, irrespective of the land holdings had medium level of education . Majority of the members of the smaller holdings were employed as casual labourers and in bigger holdings, many of them were found to be government employees or private employees. Higher monthly income was observed among the families of larger holdings so also increased the contribute of total income. Expenditure pattern of the families revealed that, the major expenditure for food, and the percentage of income spend on food decreased in the families of larger holdings. All the families irrespective of the land holdings were found to save a portion of their income for future use. Agricultural practices of the farm families indicated that coconut, fruits and some vegetables are grown in their farms. In addition , the families of larger holdings were found to cultivate paddy. Many the farm produce were found to be utilized in these families. Major share of the food budget goes for the staple food articles in the families of smaller holdings. The money incurred for the purchase of pulses, vegetables, roots & tubers was found to be comparatively less. Fish was found to be a delicacy for all the groups of families. Most frequently used food items were cereals, vegetables ,fish, milk and sugar in all the four categories of surveyed families and majority of them followed three meal pattern families of larger holding were found to include better food combinations for daily meal pattern. Simple cooking methods were adopted in the surveyed farm families and majority of the families were not found to preserve foods when there is a surplus. Foods provided during different stages of life cycle indicated that, for infants, all the categories of families were found to provide special foods. Where as families of larger holdings provide special foods for pregnant and lactating mothers. Family size was found to be correlated in the expenditure pattern on foods viz cereals in all the groups of land holdings. Weight for age profile of the members of the farm families indicated that majority of the adults and adolescents were below the prescribed standard. Based on the grades of malnutrition, majority of the adult members belonged to normal groups where as majority of the male and female adolescents were in grade I malnutrition. Compared to male members, female members were found to be healthier. Average height for age profile of the adult male was 164.8 and that for female was 154.7 cm and adolescents belonging to all the four groups of land holdings were below the prescribed standards. According to Body Mass Index, majority of the male and female members were also found to be in the normal group of chronic deficiency and majority of the adolescents belonged to surveyed families were moderate type of chronic Energy Deficiency group. Actual food intake of the members of the farm families revealed that, cereals, pulses, fish and fruit consumption was appreciable in adolescents and in adult members, cereals, fish and fruit consumption was satisfactory. Intake of all the other food groups viz vegetables, green leafy vegetables, milk roots & tubers were below the standard prescribed. Energy intake of the adult male members were below the RDA and except in group I adult female, energy intake was sufficiently met. Protein intake was insufficiently met in the adults belonging smaller land holdings and also in male adolescents. Adolescents such as iron, B-Complex were met satisfactorily in adult males where as it was insufficiently met in adult females. Average nutrient intake of adolescents were found to be below the recommended allowances in all the four groups of land holdings. Nutrients such as iron, B-complex were met satisfactorily in adult males were as it was insufficiently met in adult females. Average nutrient in take of adolescents were found to be below the recommended allowances in all the four groups of land holdings. Clinical examination of the farm families revealed that, both adult and adolescent females were found to be free from the clinical manifestation of deficiency disease except in the case of anaemia in females. Vitamin A, B-Complex deficiencies dental caries, thyroid enlargement were some of the clinical symptoms of adults and adolescents of the farm families. Majority of the female members were found to have low haemoglobin levels than male members. Nutritional Status Index indicated that size of land holdings does not have much affect on the Nutritional status Index of the members of the farm families.ThesisItem Open Access Nutritional status of ICDS (Integrated child development services) beneficiaries with respect to participation(Department of Home Science, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1993) Mary Ukkuru, Pulikkottil; KAU; Prema, LA study entitled “Nutritional status of ICDS (Integrated Child Development Services) beneficiaries with respect to participation" was carried out' in Malappuram district selecting 170 beneficiaries representing three categories via preschool children, pregnant mothers and lactating mothers and 70 nonbeneficiaries from similar socio-economic background far parnparison. The study enlightened the socio-economic and personal characteristics of the respondents, appraisal of the programme implemented in the area, nutritional status of the respondents through dietary, food consumption, anthropometric, clinical and biochemical parameters, participation index and nutrtianal status index of the respondents, and the interre1 ationhip between participation index and nutritional status index. Major findings Majority of the respondents were from Hindu community. Joint family system with 'small family norm' prevailed in the area. Major expenditure is for food. Beneficiaries had the correct perception about the ICDS programme. Their, highest preference was for supplementary nutrition' and least for referral service. Beneficiaries considered supplementary nutrition most useful followed by immunization and ‘health check-ups'. "Sharing of the food supplement", incomplete utilization of immunization, Irregular supply of vitamin supplements, lack of motivation for health education calsses, under utilization of referral services were some of the lacunae identified. Anthropometric measurements of the preschool children and that of mother beneficiaries were superior to that of their counterparts in the contorl group. Dietary and food consumption pattern of the experimental group was better than the control group. Nutrient intake was adequate with respect to calories and proteins in both the groups, while other nutrients such as vitamin A, vitamin C, and riboflavin were inadequately met, and were much lower in the control group. Clinical evidence of various deficiency diseases were lower in the experimental group compared to the control group. So also the biochemical parameters. Various socio-economic personal characteristics were not found to influence either the participation or the participation levels of the respondents. The nutritional status index developed wa.s significantly better in the experimental group. Participation index of the beneficiaries was found to be high and nutritional status index increased significantly with participation index in the beneficiaries except in pregnant mothersThesisItem Open Access Factors influencing the intrafamily distribution of food among agricultural labourer families of Thiruvananthaapuram with special reference to the nutritional status of girl children(Department of Home Science, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1993) Renu, Seshadrinath; KAU; Prema, LA study was carried out to identify the factors influencing the intra family distribution of food among agricultural labourers with special reference to girl children. Knowledge of girl children about their own food and nutrient requirements were also assessed. A total of 100 agricultural households with boys and girls were selected for the study. Data on socio-economic status of the families showed that families had an average income of Rs.1280/- and adult members were moderately educated. Expenditure on food was mainly on cereals, flesh foods, milk and oils seeds. Male members, adults as well as boys often got preference over female members in the family when food was apportioned. An attempt was made to categories the families based on the scores obtained for selected socio – economic variables. While serving protective foods like pulses , leafy vegetables and milk, preference was shown to male adults and children. Consumption of pulses, milk, leafy vegetables, other vegetables and fats were inadequate in all age groups with much prominence in female. Energy and riboflavin were more deficient in the diet of adults. Protein , fat and riboflavin were deficient in the diet of adolescent female. Protein and iron were deficient in adolescent males. Diets of children were found to be deficient in calcium, iron and B Vitamins. The food consumption pattern of adults were significantly associated with family size, type and variation in gender. The former two were also significantly associated with food consumption pattern of children. Food consumption pattern of adolescents were significantly associated with gender variation alone. Results on analysis on actual food consumption and nutritional pattern of adolescent boys and girls (13 to 15 years) showed that girls were consuming most foods especially expensive food in lower quantities than boys. Nutrient consumption was also lower among girls that boys, except in energy and iron. Anthropometric measurements of boys were better than girls except in height. BMI and haemoglobin levels in boys and girls did not very much. Overall nutritional status of boys were much better than girls. Work participation rate was higher among adolescent females compared to males. But adolescent boys had better education and economic independence. Mean food intake of different foods were higher among adolescent males than adolescent females. Compared to R.D.A., greater deficiency of all foods was observed among adolescent females. All families preferred boys in the provision of foods, money and education. Assessment if the views of 20 adolescent girls of 13 to 15 years showed that they were well aware of their food and nutritional requirement. But no significant association was seen between their views and the socio-economic status in which they are placed.ThesisItem Open Access Factors influencing the working efficiency of women engaged in stone breaking with special reference to nutritional status(Department of Home Science, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1993) Jyothi, Augustine; KAU; Mary, UkkuruA study on the factors influencing the working efficiency of women engaged in stone breaking with special reference to the nutritional status was taken forth to evaluate the socio – economic and food consumption pattern of the families, personal characteristics, working pattern energy balance and nutritional status of the respondents. Of the families surveyed, majority belonged to underprivileged communities with nuclear type families comprising about 5-10members. Almost all the respondents were literates having basic education. The main bread winner of these families were found to be females including the respondents. The per capita income of majority of the families ranged between Rs.100/- to Rs.200/-. The families surveyed were habitually non vegetarians. The major proportion of the families income was incurred for food especially staple food articles. Rice, fish along with some vegetables composed the major ingredients in their dietaries. Three meal-a-day pattern was followed by majority of the families. Working conditions of the respondents were; longer hours of work without adequate rest, meagre wages, hazardous and risky conditions affecting their health and well being. Energy balance showed a negative trend in the case of almost all the respondents. Intake of major nutrients viz, energy, vitamin A Vitamin B2 and Vitamin C was found to be inadequate which resulted in their low body weights and prevalence of nutritional disorders particularly anaemia. The respondents negative iron status reflected in their low cardiac abilities and poor physical endurance. In the present study, working efficiency of the respondents showed no association with their nutritional status index (NSI) developed. Regarding the various factors influencing the respondents working efficiency, only their monthly income and resting hours in between their work showed a significant correlation with working efficiency.
