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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: Horticulture × Author: Abdul Rahiman, A K × Author: KAU × End date: 1996 × Start date: 1994 ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Adoption of drought management practices by rubber planters in Kunnathunadu taluk of Ernakulam district
    (Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1994) Abdul Rahiman, A K; KAU; Nazeem, P A
    Rubber is mainly grown as a rainfed crops and thus its productivity greatly depend on the climatic conditions and the nutrient status of the soil , prevailing in the area. Distinct rainy season and dry season are observed in all rubber growing tracts of India and hence drought management and water conservation practices are of great relevance for this crop. Various management practices are recommended for rubber to conserve the soil moisture and to effectively thrive over the drought conditions. Kunnathunadu Taluk of Ernakulam District is an area recently brought under rubber cultivation . The rubber growing tracts in this area include wide and varied terrain of land . The farmers in this area are not traditionally rubber growers. The study was made to evaluate the drought management practices adopted by the rubber farmers of kunnathunadu taluk . A survey was conducted , selecting 53 rubber holdings having a sizeable area between 0.5 to 0.5 ha and located all over the Taluk . The drought management and moisture conservation practices in the locality were assessed by studying the topography of land , the depth of soil level of water table and various engineering and vegetative methods adopted for the purpose. Only very little area (6%) in the surveyed locality had steep terrain where as the others were level or with gentle slope. The soil depth was found to be satisfactory having a depth of 1m or more in most of the cases (72%) . Rocky patches were observed in the sub soil in 23 percent of the surveyed units. Though the pitting was ideal, planting practices adopted by the farmers were found to be not in accordance with the terrain of land. Holdings having steep slope were found to adopt square system as against the recommended practice of contour planting. The farmers of kunnathunadu Taluk are to be made aware of the consequence of defective planting in sloppy areas. The engineering methods adopted for conserving the soil/soil moisture included terracing and pitting. Individual terraces ,contour terraces and continuous terraces were found formed in the locality , of which continuous terraces were more popular and were found practiced in 58 percent of the holdings. Though terracing was common the farmers were found not adhering to the scientific recommendations. It was interesting to note that 7 units with gentle terrain had practiced contour terracing while only 1/3 of the units with gentle terrain had practiced contour terracing while only 1/3 of the units having steep terrain had practiced the same. Defective terracing was observed in 20 percent of the holdings, the defects being more pronounced as inadequate width and slop besides lack of annual repair . However, it was observed that the defects were rather low in area having steep slope. The practice of providing silt pits so as to make the running water walk was very poor in the surveyed area. Silt pits were observed only in four percent of the holdings and that too with poor maintenance . Shallow depth, improper alignment , Lack of desilting were the defects observed in the locality. The vegetative methods adopted for drought management included establishment of legume cover and raising of intercrops. Cover crops were observed in 80 percent of the holdings at various stages of establishment . pueraria sp. Is the common cover observed in the locality . Intercrops were found established in 26 percent of the holdings with plantain being the main intercrop. Others included pineapple, ginger and sesamum. The other drought management practices included planting of polybagged plants , Whitewashing , mulching and providing firebelts. Planting of advanced planting material raised in polybags was done in 92 percent of the holdings . Whitewashing was found adopted in 87 percent of the holdings while mulching was practiced in 58 percent . Fire belts were found provided in 21 percent of the holdings and the practice adopted in these respects were quite scientific in the surveyed area. Based on the present study it can be concluded that the farmers are aware of the drought management/moisture conservation practices that are to be adopted in rubber. The farmers are more conscious about the fact at early periods of the growth, as evidenced from the details collected for mulching, whitewashing and cover cropping. The farmers are yet to be made more aware of the proper methods of terracing silt pits, stone wall ,etc. Poor adoption of these practices could be due to the high investment that it requires at initial stages and for its later maintenance. The Rubber Board has to seriously look in to this aspect and can take favourable steps like providing incentives or special subsidy schemes considering the terrain of land agroclimate prevailing in the locality