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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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2001 - 20102
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Subject: Livestock Production and Management × Author: KAU × Start date: 2000 × Thesis Type: M.Sc ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Reliability of united score card for crossbred dairy cows of Kerala
    (Department of Livestock Production Management, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2010) Dhanya, K; KAU; Anil, K S
    The research work was conducted to assess the reliability of Unified score card for cross bred cows of Kerala. One hundred and ninety six animals of University cattle farms of Mannuthy, Thumbunnuzhi and Thiruvazhamkunnu were selected for the study. As per the Unified score card by Purebred Dairy Cattle Association, the animals were judged for frame, dairy character, body capacity, feet• and legs and udder. The type components were again subdivided as described in the scorecard to improve the accuracy of judging score. The body measurements of individual animals like height at withers, body length, chest girth, height at withers, height at pins, length of quarter, width between angles of hook and slope of rump were taken. The animals were categorized into four age groups, four parities and three stages of lactation. The emphasis of each of the components of unified score card to milk production was compared and statistical analysis was carried out as per methods suggested by Snedcor and Cochran (1994). Effects of age, stage of lactation and parity on judging using Unified Score Card were worked out. The body measurements were also correlated with the score and milk yield. Age, parity and stage of lactation were found to be nonsignificant for final score. The scores of frame, dairy character and udder for different age groups showed no significant difference, whereas, scores of body capacity and feet and legs differed significantly. The scores of dairy character and body capacity differed significantly with parity. No significant difference was shown for scores of frame, feet and legs and udder. Frame was found to be positively correlated with other components, the least being with udder (r=0.127) and highest with feet and legs (r =0.254) which was highly significant (p<0.01). Dairy character was significantly correlated with body capacity (r=0.169) and feet and legs(r=0.2S4) in addition to frame. Feet and legs was the only component to which udder showed positive significant correlation (pAge was found to be not significant for lactation yield (P~O.OS). The means of lactation yield differed significantly for different parities. All the type components were found to be positively correlated with lactation yield, all being significant. The standardized partial regression coefficients were highly significant for dairy character, udder. and body capacity whereas non significant regression coefficients were obtained for frame and feet and legs. Udder depth was having the highest regression coefficient (~=0.312) which was highly significant (p<0.01). Regression coefficients were significant and positive for skin (0.229), withers (0.188), ribs (0.174) and thighs (0.162). Both age and parity had significant positive correlation on body weight. Body weight was significantly (p<0.0 1) correlated with lactation yield with r=0.244. Height at withers, length, hip width girth and height at hook showed significant difference with age (p:SO.OS).The height at pins and slope were found to be not affected significantly by age. All the measurements except slope were significant and positive in correlation with body capacity. All height measurements, length and girth was found to be positively correlated with frame (p<0.0 1). Final score was having significant positive correlation with all height measurements (p:SO.OS). It was concluded that although the score card was found to be reliable on the production of crossbred cows of Kerala, the emphasis placed on type components was not in full agreement with what was prescribed by the purebred Dairy Cattle Association Dairy Cow Unified Score Card. Hence it was suggested that more weightage could be given to body capacity and dairy character compromising weightage on frame and feet & legs which necessitated further studies in this regard.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Productivity and feasibility of pig production systems in rural sector
    (Department of Livestock Production Management, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2001) Harikumar, S; KAU; Joseph, Mathew
    The productivity and feasibility of pig production systems were studied in the rural sector of Kerala. The study on feasibility of pig production and problems and prospects associated with pig farming was conducted in Kaiparambu and Kuzhoor Panchayaths in Thrissur district of Kerala. The performance of Large White Yorkshire pigs in organized farms and field units was compared. Majority of the pig farmers were having higher educational and economic status and were equipped with potential and facilities for economic pig production. The management practices were cost effective and suited well for pig production in rural sector. Problems and constraints faced by the pig farmers were minimum in two Panchayaths. It was observed that the feasibility of the pig production was higher in two Panchayaths studied. The resource utilization efficiency of the existing pig production was only 40.95per cent and 19.53per cent, respectively in Kaiparambu and Kuzhoor Panchayaths. In the comparative study between pigs in the organized farm and field units, the pigs reared in small field unit on 40per cent chicken offal and 60per cent restaurant waste recorded a significantly higher (P73.66 ± 3. I 5kg than that of 60.00 ± 2.79kg in pigs reared on hostel food waste in the farm. In the case of body measurements, pigs in small field unit group recorded maximum values. The feed efficiency (3.221 ± 0.15) was better in pigs fed on 40per cent chicken offal and 60per cent restaurant waste. The mean daily dry matter intake was a maximum of 1.41 7 ± 0.19g in pigs reared on concentrate ration. The average daily weight gain was highest in pigs fed on 40per cent chicken offal and 60per cent restaurant waste (367 .13 ± 16.64g) and lowest in hostel food waste fed pigs (287.96 ± 15.23g). Pigs fed on 40per cent chicken offal and 60per cent restaurant waste were recorded a maximum value for dressing percentage (75.52 ± 0.41). Pigs fed on .concentrate ration attained a maximum of 19.36 ± 2.2cm2 for loin eye area and a minimum of 28.0 ± 0.22mm for back fat thickness. Meat bone ratio was the lowest in pigs fed on hostel food waste (3.53 ± 0.19). Hot carcass weight (55.66 ± 2.49kg) and carcass length (65.00 ± 0.83cm) was more in pigs fed on 40per cent chicken offal and 60per cent restaurant waste in T4 group. In proximate analysis chicken offal was recorded a crude protein content of 35.63 ± 2.77per cent and ether extract of 30.9 ± 2.31 per cent. Concentrate, restaurant waste and hostel waste were recorded a higher NFE content. Cost of production per kilogram live weight of pigs was the highest in concentrate fed group (Rs 54.66) and the lowest in small field unit (Rs 12.64).