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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: Livestock Production and Management × Author: Biju, S × Start date: 1997 × Type: Thesis ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Evaluation of husbandry practices in captive zoo mammals in Kerala
    (Department of Livestock Production Management, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2002) Biju, S; KAU; Francis Xavier
    Husbandry practices adopted for captive zoo mammals, were studied in the Government owned zoological gardens located at Thiruvananthapuram and Thrissur districts ofKerala State. The mammals in the zoos were classified into ten groups, based on the taxonomic position and food habits. In the feeding management studies, the different feed ingredients used to formulate the ration for these ten groups of mammals were recorded. The dry matter content of the ration was worked out. A comparative study was taken up between Thiruvananthapuram and Thrissur Zoos, in the feed ingredients as well as in the dry matter content of the ration in all the above ten groups of mammals. The management practices with regard to housing of animals were also observed. Cages and enclosures were provided for the animals and in most of the cases the floor was made of cement concrete. A comparison between the two zoos with regard to the substrate and the type of cage for the ten groups of mammals were also made. The environment enrichment methods adopted as well as the provisions for wallowing and perching were also observed and compared in the two zoos among the ten groups of mammals. Under the captive breeding observations in Thiruvananthapuram Zoo it was found that 23 different mammalian species were kept in breeding pairs though successful breeding were noticed in 19 of them. The animals which do not breed in captivity even when kept in pairs, were the Indian Porcupine, the Himalayan Black Bear, the Sloth Bear and the Jungle Cat. Whereas in Thrissur Zoo" 11 mammalian species were in breeding pairs and out of that eight species were successfully breeding. The Indian Porcupine, Small Indian Civet and the Camels in the zoos were not breeding, eventhough they were in pairs. Disease prevalence was another management practice studied. Parasitic diseases (44.68 per cent), infectious diseases (35.11 per cent), non-specific conditions (17.02 per cent) and neoplastic conditions (3.19 per cent) were observed in captive mammals in Thiruvananthapuram Zoo; and infectious conditions (59.32 per cent), neoplastic conditions (15.25 per cent), parasitic diseases (13.56 per cent) and non-specific conditions (11.87 per cent) were observed in Thrissur Zoo. Vaccinations were regularly done only in felids in Thiruvananthapuram Zoo and no vaccinations were done in Thrissur Zoo. Regular dewormings were done for all mammals in Thiruvananthapuram Zoo, but only in carnivores and Camels in Thrissur Zoo. The frequency of deworming varied between the species and did not conform to any scientific suggestions. Hygiene and sanitation showed that the enclosures in the zoos were cleaned daily in the morning, before the feeding of the animals. Along with that the feed and water troughs were also cleaned. The water pools were emptied, cleaned and refilled twice in a week. 'Benzalkonium chloride' solution was the disinfectant used in the zoos, and were occasionally used only in the carnivore and primate cages.