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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 Unknown 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 Unknown 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 Unknown 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 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 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 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.
