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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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2000 - 20014
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Subject: Livestock Production and Management × End date: 2001 × Start date: 2000 × Type: Thesis × Thesis Type: M.V.Sc. ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Draught Efficiency of Elephants in Timber Mills
    (Department of Livestock Production Management, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences,Mannuthy, 2001) Prasad, A; KAU; Saseendran, P C
    Six elephants working in four different private timber mills in Trichur district were selected for the present study. Average weight of elephants estimated using formula was 4627.80 + 114.15 kg. Elephants consumed 213.00 + 3.338 kg roughages and 7.50 + 0.475 kg of concentrate. They obtained 9.721 + 0.837 kg dry matter, 3.613 + 0.075 kg DCP and 31.517 + 0.754 kg of TDN over and above maintenance requirement, which may be the amount of nutrient utilized for work performance. Elephants were engaged for three types of work in timber mills, carrying, moving/stalking and hauling timber logs. Mean draught developed during carrying was 445.095 + 22.448 kg. Elephant could be made to carry weights upto 20 per cent of their body weight on their tusk during carrying and stalking/moving timber. A new instrument called Elephant Draught Power Monitor was fabricated to measure the draught developed during hauling timber. A regression, Y = 0.7787 x – 100.69 (where Y is the draught developed and X is the weight of the log hauled) was developed from the measurements. The draught power estimated this equation was compared with the values obtained by the formula draught = load x CosƟ. It was assumed that the formula draught = load x CosƟ was not suitable for elephant draught power measurement. The average draught developed during hauling was 1779.391 + 130.386 kg. Highest maximum of weight that an elephant could be made to haul during instantaneous force development was 188 per cent of the body weight. Maximum limit of weight that an elephant could be made to haul during continuous work was 38 per cent of its body weight. Speed of work of elephants during carrying, moving and hauling was 1.333 + 0.075, 0.630 + 0.014 and 0.701 + 0.014 m/s respectively. Speed of work of elephants decreased with increase in weight of the log transported. The average horse power developed during carrying, moving and hauling were 7.116 + 0.106, 2,566 + 0.048 and 7.138 + 0.280 respectively. The average work output per day during carrying, moving and hauling were 1819.004 + 92.619 KJ, 179.718 + 5.955 KJ, 3375.373 + 16.885 KJ respectively. Maximum work output from elephant was obtained during hauling. Maximum work output (34 per cent) occurred during 8.30 am to 9.30 am in timber mills. Elephants were made to work minimum during 12.30 pm to 2.30 pm. Rectal temperature was identified as the most reliable physiological parameter which can be used as an indicator of fatigue. Maximum body temperature recorded during work was 1000 F. Maximum frequency of spraying of saliva during the entire study period was two/minute and maximum frequency of fanning of ears was 45/min. The value of rectal temperature when the elephants were fatigued was 98.60 F. Work may be stopped and elephant should be given rest before reaching this body temperature to avoid undue fatigue. Mechanised power which replaces elephant power in many timber mills has certain advantages. But use of elephant has got the advantage of utilization of renewable resources environmental friendliness and greater maneuverability during work.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Performance of three introduced breeds of pigs in Kerala
    (Department of Livestock Production Management, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2000) Dinesh, M T; KAU; Thomas, C K
    A study was conducted to find out the production performance and adaptability of three newly imported breeds of "pigs viz. Duroc, Large White Yorkshire and Landrace and to compare it with that of existing Large White Yorkshire pigs of Kerala. Thirty animals from each group were selected for the study. All the animals were fed with same type of feed through out the experimental period. Body weight and body measurements were recorded at fortnighdy intervals. The quantity of feed consumed by each group was also recorded. Rectal temperature was measured at weekly intervals during the noon hours. Animals were also observed during noon and feeding hours to study the adaptive behavioral manifestations. The results revealed that the body weight of the newly imported pigs were superior to that of Mannuthy Large White Yorkshire pigs. The body weight averaged 64.50+6.63, 62.75±5.16, 82.031±8.50 and 39.89±7.23 between 4.5 to 5 months of age and 171.25+7.69, 173.66+7.38, 169.14±9,98 and 124.66±11.64 between 11 and 11.5 months of age. The newly imported pigs were ready for slaughter at 6.5 to 7.0 months of age while the Mannuthy Large White Yorkshire pigs attained the 100-kg target during 9.5 to 10.months of age. The average daily gain calculated for the Mannuthy Large White Yorkshire pigs was also lower than the three newly imported groups. Average daily gain up to 100 kg body weight averaged 630, 673, 672 and 453 g for Duroc, Large White Yorkshire Landrace and Mannuthy Large White Yorkshire pigs. Feed conversion ratio up to 100 kg body weight averaged 4.03, 3.95, 3.72 and 4.63 for the above four breeds. Results of body measurements show that the Large White Yorkshire pigs maintained at Mannuthy farm was the smallest animal in all weight, groups. Landrace pigs were the longest (120.47 cm) and duroc pigs were the tallest (87.63) at the end of the experimental period. Data regarding the rectal temperature revealed that the temperature recorded for the Mannuthy pigs was slightly higher than the three newly imported groups. Among the four breeds the newly imported Large White Yorkshire pigs were the most aggressive animal at the time of feeding while Duroc pigs were comparatively quiet at the time of feeding. The present study revealed that the overall production performance of Large White Yorkshire pigs, ancestors of which were imported to kerala about 20 years ago, is inferior to that of newly imported Duroc, Large White Yorkshire and Landrace pigs. But the production performance of Mannuthy, Large White Yorkshire pigs was found, to superior to that of many other exotic pigs maintained in other parts of India.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Developement of an integrated farming system centered on pigs
    (Department of Livestock Production Management, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2000) Suraj, P T; KAU; Joseph Mathew
    Efforts were taken to develop a model integrated farming system (IFS) centred on pigs at Centre for Pig Production and Research, Mannuthy. This animal-fish-vegetable IFS consisted of three groups of pigs viz. Large White Yorkshire (L WY), Crossbreds (CB) (Large White Yorkshire x Desi) and Desi, three tanks for fish rearing and three sets of vegetable plots with four varieties of vegetable crops. Different treatments were applied to each unit of fish feeding as pig manure only, pig manure and feed and feed only. In the vegetable plots different treatments were applied in manuring as pig manure only pig manure and chemical fertilizer and chemical fertilizer only. A clear breed difference was noticed between LWY and Desi with respect to traits such as feed intake, body weight, body measurements, average daily body weight gain (ADG) and' feed conversion efficiency (FCE). But there was no significant difference (Pbetween L WY and CB in ADG and FCE. When pig manure was used as fish feed the water quality was deteriorated but body weight, total yield and survival rate of fish were higher. The highest yield of vegetable obtained from the different crops depend on the variety of crop and manure or combination of manure used. The economics of production indicated that rearing pigs entirely on concentrate feed is uneconomical. But the integration of fish and vegetable to the pig production could improve the productivity of such systems with the improvement in overall economic efficiency. The result also indicated that a combination of LWY, fish utilizing the manure and vegetable cultivation by supplying the nitrogen requirement through pig manure is the most economical integration.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Analysis of management systems of pure-bred and cross-bred dogs in Central Kerala
    (Department of Livestock Production Management, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2001) Vijayakumar, P; KAU; Francis Xavier
    Canine management practices existing in Central Kerala were investigated. Mostly the owners of the dogs were male members of the family. Businessmen were more interested in dog keeping. Average number of dogs owned per household was 1. 7. Large breeds were preferred to small and medium sized breeds and among large breeds German Shepherds. Female dogs were slightly more in number than male dogs in the surveyed area. The dogs were mostly kept for watching or guarding purpose than companionship. Dogs were purchased at less than two months of age. The quality of the pup was mostly decided based on the breed and appearance. Active nature and general appearance formed the basis for puppy selection. A high proportion of the dog owners kept their dogs in a kennel, which was located outside the house and constructed after the arrival of the pup. Only few respondents constructed the kennel after consulting a veterinarian or scientific books. Most of the kennels were of cement concrete floor, concrete with Iron rails wall, concrete roof and had raised platform. Daily cleaning of the kennel was also practiced. The dogs were mostly fed with two meals a day, with specially cooked, homemade, non-vegetarian diet. Mostly rice and meat were fed for the first time between three and six months of age. Fully cooked milk, meat, fish, egg, rice and vegetables were fed to the dogs. Most of the dogs were fed with meat. Only one- third of the dogs were fed with supplements. About 55 per cent of the dog owners provided their dogs with bones, for chewing. About one-third of the male and female dogs were used for breeding. The dog's age at puberty reported by most of the dog owners was between eight and 12 months of age. The signs of heat occurred every six months. Dogs were mated twice in an estrum with 24 hours interval. One pup or its cost was charged as stud fee by' one-third of the dog owners. Ownership was the most important criterion considered while selecting a stud male for female dogs. Majority of the dogs were sexually intact. Except nail trimming, the other health management practices such as de-worming, vaccination, grooming, bathing, exercise and ear cleaning were practiced by majority of the dog owners. Weekly grooming, bathing and ear cleaning were practiced by majority of the dog owners. Slightly more than one half of the dogs were de-wormed monthly. The dogs were mostly immunized against rabies and majority of the dogs were not regularly immunized with the booster vaccine. About two-third of the dog owners exercised their dogs by playing with them. Only eight per cent of the dogs were taken to a veterinarian for a regular health check-up. Previous history of any disease was reported by one-fourth of the dog owners. Majority of dog owners never left their dog alone in the house when all the members were away. Only one-third of the dog owners gave basic training to their dogs. Reward was given to the dogs, which responded to their commands while training. 'COME' and 'SIT' were the two most common commands which majority of the dogs were aware of. Inadequate space was the predominant constraint faced by dog owners followed by difficulties in training and shedding hairs. Majority of the dog owners surveyed cared to provide the optimum needs of their dogs.