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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: Apsara, Madhav × End date: 2004 × Start date: 2001 × Type: Thesis × Thesis Type: M.Sc ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Evaluation of fruit wastes as sources of pectin
    (Department of Processing Technology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2001) Apsara, Madhav; KAU; Pushpalatha, P B
    Substantial quantities of wastes are generated as part of fruit and vegetable processing. These wastes suffer from the problem of disposal on one hand, when there are lots of avenues for their utilization on the other hand. The fact that a major portion of pectin required for processing industries are derived from citrus peels, highlight the need of using certain other fruit wastes also as sources of pectin. In this context, the present investigation, 'Evaluation of fruit wastes as sources of pectin' was taken up. The study revealed that a large portion of the weight of different fruits are discarded as wastes. The pectin content in fruit wastes was found varying and the passion fruit rind was identified as the richest source of pectin (252.68 g per kg) among the different materials analysed. The ideal method for extracting pectin varied, depending upon the material However, prolonging the time of extraction (by boiling) beyond 45 minutes was not found beneficiaL Owing to its high AUA percentage, mangosteen rind pectin was identified as the purest among different samples of pectin analysed. Its sugar binding capacity was also high (gel grade 171). Passion fruit rind pectin recorded the lowest (AUA% (46.17) and gel grade (73). The rapid setting nature of passion fruit rind and lime peel pectin revealed their possibility of utilization as thickening agents. The slow setting pectins identified could be best utilized for jelly making. The major defects observed with different jellies viz., firm and syrupy consistency, syneresis, cloudiness and bitterness were removed either by changing the composition of extraction media or by blending with the pectin extracts :from other fruit wastes. During the period of storage for three months, different jellies were not undergone major changes apart :from crystallisation. It was rectified by reducing the quantity of sugar added. Extraction of pectin and preparation of jelly was found to be a profitable proposition.