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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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20061
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Subject: Livestock Production and Management × Author: Acty, George × Author: KAU × Start date: 1993 × Type: Thesis ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Management of captive young elephants in Kerala
    (Department of Livestock Production Management, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2006) Acty, George; KAU; Anil, K S
    The present study was undertaken to suggest suitable recommendations in the management of captive young elephants of Kerala after assessing the existing management, feeding and training practices through survey method. The credibility of information collected was cross checked with physical verification. Data was collected from the owners’ house holds and offices and sites where animal was tethered by personal interviews during March to August 2006. The observations made were on routine, housing feeding, diseases and health management, behaviour and temperament and record keeping. From the study, it was evident that majority of the elephant owners, first and second mahouts belonged to middle age groups. Even though none of the owners received training, half of the owners were richly experienced in elephant management. Majority of the owners and mahouts selected elephant rearing as hereditary business or job. Injury was a major constraint in case of mahouts. The young animals were divided in to three groups based on their age as 0- 2yrs (Group I), 2-6yrs (Group II) and 6-15yrs (Group III). Group II and III received more watering, wetting and bathing. Frequency of wetting and watering was highest in summer season. Actual training starts at 6 years of age and train the elephants for various purposes. It was evident that young elephants are fed above the nutritional requirements and kept idle for most of the time in the year. Boredom was found to be a factor for behavioural anomalies. Major ailments in young ones was diarrhoea were as impaction in adults. There was record keeping only in organized elephant care facilities.