Thumbnail Image

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.

Browse

19941
Reset filters
Subject: Livestock Production and Management × Author: Anil, K S × Author: KAU × Start date: 1993 ×
Reset filters

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Comparative draught capacity of cattle and buffaloes
    (Department of Livestock Production Management, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1994) Anil, K S; KAU; Thomas, C K
    The draught performance of Kangayam bullocks were compared with that of graded Surti buffaloe bullocks under the agro climatic conditions of Kerala with a hot humid tropical climate Two pairs of adult Kangayam bullocks and two pairs of adult graded Surti buffaloe bullocks were used for ploughing both dry land and wet land at the rate of four hours a day during the summer season Physiological responses like respiratory rate pulse rate and rectal temperature and haemotological parameters like haemoglobin per cent erythrocyte sedimentation rate packed cell volume lactic acid and plasma bicarbonate were estimated before work immediately after work and after one hour of rest after work The dry matter intake and water intake on days of work and on days of no work were also measured and compared Other parameters like the area ploughed in one hour average speed of walking stride length and traction force developed during ploughing were also compared between the two species The buffaloe bullocks had significantly lower physiological responses before the start of work when compared to that of indigenous bullocks As a result of work the physiological responses increased significantly in both species The values were higher for buffaloes during dry ploughing The physiological responses including rectal temperature of buffaloes increased to a level indicative of distress due to heat stress There were also other signs of distress like frothing and drooling of saliva and protrusion of tongue But during wet ploughing the responses were not so marked in case of buffaloes and they did not show any apparent signs of distress The physiological responses decreased but did not reach the pre-exercise values after one hour of rest The haemoglobin per cent of blood packed cell volume and plasma bicarbonate content decreased significantly in cattle and buffaloes during dry and wet ploughing The erythrocyte sedimentation rate and blood lactic acid content showed a significant increase as a result of work One hour of rest was not sufficient to bring these parameters to pre exercise values Buffaloes consumed more DM when expressed in grams per kg metabolic body size Both species consumed more on days of no work The difference was more pronounced in case of buffaloes The water intake expressed as ml/kg metabolic body size was significantly higher for buffaloes both on days of work and on days of no work In both the species the water intake remained similar in days on which they were used for work and they were not used Kangayam bullocks ploughed significantly more area per unit time than graded Surti buffaloe bullock Cattle developed significantly more speed than buffaloes during dry ploughing But during wet ploughing the speed was almost same in both species Cattle showed more stride length during dry and wet ploughings than buffaloes But during wet ploughing the difference was negligible There was no significant difference in the traction power developed between cattle and buffaloes during dry or wet ploughings But both species developed higher horse power during wet ploughing Overall the results indicate that during summer in a hot humid tropical environment Kangayam bullocks can be used for dry as well as wet ploughings without any apparent ill effects Graded Surti buffaloe bullocks are on par with Kangayam bullocks under wet-ploughing However they seem to be under severe heat stress and also their work output inferior when used for a continuous 4 hour period of dry-land ploughing under similar climatic conditions