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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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ThesisItem Open Access Morphometry and ageing of captive male asian elephants (Elephas maximus)(Department of Livestock Production Management, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2003) Sasikumar, M; KAU; Francis, XavierThe collection of morphometric details from elephants of different age groups would enhance our biological understanding and management of this valuable species.. A total of fifty two clinically healthy captive male Asian elephants, varying in age, under excellent management, maintained by 'Guruvayoor Devaswom Board' were utilized for predicting body weight and height from body measurements as well as determination of age from physical features. For prediction equations several morphometric parameters were measured. All possible linear regressions of weight on one, two, three and four body measurements were calculated. The equations having highest coefficient determination value (R2) with least standard error of estimation was taken for predicting body weight and height in elephants. The data were also divided into age groups (Group I (Young ones; 0-20 years), Group 11 (Sub adults; 21-30 years), Group III (Adults; 31-40 years), and Group IV (0 Id adults; 41-70 years)) and all possible linear regressions were calculated for each group. The best prediction of body weight (kg) for all age groups (G I to G IV) was obtained based on two parameters; the chest girth (cm) and right forefoot circumference (cm). Single and also the combination of various parameters were used for the prediction' of body weight in different age groups. An equation to predict the height at the shoulders (cm) from right forefoot circumference (cm) for various age groups of elephants was also derived. Various parameters were correlated with age of the elephants and average values of these parameters were salculated for age approximation. The data were again divided into various age groups (Group A (Young ones; 0-20 years), Group B (Adults; 21-40 years), and Group C (Old adults; 41- 70 years)) and comparison of parameters between two age groups was done. The parameters such as depigmentation on the trunk, hair distribution, hollow on the temple region, width of the ear, circumference of tusk base and middle, and height at the shoulders had high correlation as well as significant difference in various age group comparisons. So, these parameters could be useful for age estimation in male elephants with more precision.ThesisItem Open Access Management Systems and Utilisation Pattern of Captive Male Elephants(Department of Livestock Production Management, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences,Mannuthy, 2004) Cijo K JosephThe utilization pattern, management and nutrition of the elephants of Kerala under different ownership conditions were studied between June-2003 and July-2004 using survey method. The credibility of the information so collected was checked using triangulation method where, the information about an animal was collected from the owner, mahout, and also by physical verification of the claims in all possible cases. It was seen that the elephants of private owners with one elephant (25.2years) were significantly younger than the elephants of private owners with more than one elephant and elephants of temple trusts with one elephant (32.7 and 35.4 years respectively). The comparison of the height of the elephants revealed that the average height of elephants of forest department (245cm) was significantly lesser than the average height of elephants of private owners with more than one elephant and elephants of temple trusts with one elephant (278.7cm and 283.9cm respectively). The group wise variations in the frequencies of bath given to the elephants were insignificant but the duration of bath in elephants of forest department was significantly lesser than the average duration of bath in all other groups. It was also seen that most of the elephants in Kerala did not have proper housing facilities, and that majority of them were tied under tree on sandy floor. Studies on the utilization pattern of the elephants revealed that the elephants irrespective of their type of ownership were idle for most of the time in the year and that the elephants idled for the maximum number of days in a year (322.3 days). Further, the elephants of group-2 attended the maximum number of festivals in a year (82.9 ±6.92 days). Proximate analysis of the feed fed to the elephants revealed that the nutritional status of elephants of temples with one elephant was the highest. The study also revealed that all the elephants of group-4 were given restorative therapy and the elephants of group-5 were not given restorative therapy.ThesisItem Open 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 CSix 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.ThesisItem Open Access Study on management information system in institutional swine farm(Department of Livestock Production Management, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2002) Bindu, P; KAU; Joseph MathewA study on Management-Information System (MIS) was conducted in Centre for Pig Production and Research (CPPR), Mannuthy to analyse the merits and demerits of the MIS presently available in the farm and to formulate an MIS based on computer software which may improve managerial efficacy and decision making process in swine farm and to develop, refine and then recommend a management information system. The merits and demerits of the present MIS in the centre were studied by conducting a survey using separate and well-designed questionnaire among scientists technical staff and administrative staff and also by interview. The information obtained in the survey were analysed and meaningful conclusions were drawn on the efficiency of the present MIS. Observations were made on the present MIS prevailing in the Centre with regard to various production parameters such as animals, its production and reproduction details, feeding, breeding, weeding, human resource components, labour management administration, financial implications, research, teaching and extension activities, profit and loss account productivity of each element and all other related elements. A computerized MIS was developed using the data collected from the farm. The enterprise edition of Visual Basic 6.0 was used as front end, while MS Access-97 was used as back end for the package developed. The MIS developed under this study is structured under a main menuwith various sub-menus such as System, History, Administration, Research, Breed and Management. The System sub-menu has Change Password, Users and Exit options. The History sub-menu is segmented into Introduction, Units divisions, Lay out, Objectives, Head of Station and Teaching and Extension options. The Administration sub-menu is divided into Employee details, Pay Entry Staff, Pay Entry Labours, Enter Biodata and List Employees options. The Research sub-menu has Select Title and Add Title options. Breed sub menu is provided with Details, Breed pictures, Add Animal group, Add Animal, Birth Entry, Death Entry, Sales and Care and Management options. The sub-menu Management is segmented into Registers, Profit/loss, Weight Recordings, Feed Management and Profit Loss Entry options. The developed software was tested by an “on-farm trial run” in the Centre for a period of one month for'identifying the defects and the developed MIS has recommended as a model after rectifying the defect. The model can be recommended for other farms with necessary modifications.ThesisItem Open Access Behaviour pattern of musth and non musth in captive Asian elephant(Department of Livestock Production Management, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2004) Sathasivam, S; KAU; Saseendran, P CAdult male elephants live in a highly dynamic world of changing sexual state, rank, association and behaviour. Physiologically musth is known to be associated with the elevated testosterone levels. There is a positive relationship between changes in testosterone and musth related behaviour, which make the animal in physiological stress. Captive male Asian elephants maintained in the elephant camp at Punnarthurkotta were utilized for the study. Experimental animals were grouped into normal, pre-musth, musth and post-musth stages. A total of 193 hours of observation were carried out by focal animal sampling technique using a behaviour score sheet. Faecal samples were collected from each animal in all stages and stored at –200 c, until it was extracted for measurement of faecal testosterone by RIA technique. The staple food for the elephants under study was palm leaves and napier grass. The amount of palm leaves and napier grass given to growing elephants were 60 to 100 Kg and 20 to 50 Kg, respectively. Similarly for adult elephants amount ranges from 140 to 240 Kg and 50 to 100 Kg, respectively. The nutrient availability of growing and adult elephants was calculated, which shows greater than the required level. The maximum percentage of musth episodes was occurred in winter (30 %) followed by summer (29 %), post monsoon (27 %) and monsoon (14 %). The body weight loss in the experimental animals before and after musth period was about 71.66 ± 25.77 kg. The age at which first musth occurrence was about 24.10 ± 0.50 years. Age groups of 20 to30 (78 ± 3.95 days), 30 to 40(114.53 ± 8.9 days), 40 to 50 (120.37 ± 15.74 days) years elephants shows increasing trend in duration of musth, but vice versa in the age group of 50 to 60 years(90.00 ± 12.82 days). The average behavioural scores obtained for elephants in normal stages was about 12.33 ± 1.22. In pre-musth stage scores and post- musth stage the score were 34 ± 4.69 and 19.66 ± 3.10, respectively. In musth the score shot up to 70.29 ± 2.46 in first month, 78.70 ± 2.48 during second month, 68.15 ± 3.31 in third month, 58.15 ± 5.55, 51.25 ± 14.44 in fourth and fifth month, respectively. The mean faecal testosterone level during normal stage was about 770.96 ± 35.62(ng/g). The levels has increased to 1821.58 129.54(ng/g) during pre-musth stages and reached a peak level of 4307.81 242.40(ng/g) in second month of musth stage. The positive correlation (r =0.82,P<0.0002) was obtained between faecal testosterone and behavioural score in all stage of the experimental elephants. The significant differences in the faecal testosterone levels between normal versus pre-musth (P<0.00001), normal versus musth (P<0.00001), pre-musth versus musth (P<0.00001), musth versus post-musth (P<0.0003), normal versus post-musth (P<0.00001) and post- musth versus pre-musth (P<0.0003) were observed in the present study. Quantitative indicators of musth are enlargement of perineal gland was 2.75 ± 0.2, 7.15 ± 0.7, and 4.75 ± 0.1 in normal, second month of musth and pre-musth, respectively. Temporal gland enlargement was 3.5 ± 0.3, 3.15 ± 0.5 9.5 ± 0.9, in normal, post-musth and second month of musth, respectively. Flehmen response (per hour) was 3, 5 and 8 in normal, pre-musth and second month of musth, respectively. Trunk rising (per hour) was 3,8 and 17 in normal, pre-musth and second month of musth, respectively. Freezing of ears (per hour) was 0,8 and 17 in normal, pre-musth and second month of musth, respectively. Qualitative indicators at the most intensive musth stage of second month were temporal gland secretion up to jowl region, disobedience to mahout, alertness, throwing objects, urine dribbling and green penis syndrome. In addition to that in captivity swaying and stereotypic behaviours was observed. The results of present study suggest that integrating the behavioural and endocrine level could potentially provide a more meaningful measure of musth in captive male elephants and can help to resolve the management problems.ThesisItem Open Access Effect of water sprinkling in summer on the productive adaptability of halothane sensitive pigs(Department of Livestock Production Management, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2004) Deepa Jacob; KAU; Sebastian, K SA study was conducted to assess the effect of water sprinkling In summer on the productive adaptability of halothane sensitive pigs. Twenty-four weaned castrated crossbred male piglets were randomly selected after screening for halothane sensitivity. Twelve piglets, six halothane positive and six halothane negative pigs were sprinkled with water during hot hours of the day .. The other twelve were treated as controls. The relative incidence of halothane sensitivity observed was 57.5%. The halothane positive sprinkled pigs had advantage over the other three treatment groups in feed conversion efficiency, resulting in least cost of production for this group. The cost of production per kilogram live body weight in halothane positive sprinkled pigs, positive non-sprinkled, negative sprinkled and negative non-sprinkled pigs were Rs.41.87, Rs.43.95, Rs.47.17 and Rs.48.73 respectively. Thus, the rearing of halothane positive pigs with water sprinkling proved relatively more profitable. Halothane positive pigs had a lower daily feed intake than the negative groups. Sprinkling with water had no statistically significant effect on the physiological parameters, body weights, average daily gain, body measurements, behavioural characteristics and carcass traits of the animals. Even though the differences between the treatments in the behavioural characteristics were non-significant, the number of aggressive encounters, the frequency of defecation and the quantity of dung voided were highest for the halothane positive non-sprinkled pigs. The overall results obtained during the course of the study are the unit cost of production was less for halothane positive animals with environmental enrichment by sprinklingThesisItem Open Access Behavioural responses in captive male Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) to specified stressors(Department of Livestock Production Management, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2003) Vivek, G; KAU; Saseendran, P CAssessing the welfare status of captive male Asian elephants is a growing area of concern, as ethical questions are raised about the psychological well-being of animals maintained in captivity. The study was undertaken as a synthesis of approach to measure stress through physiological and behavioural studies to quantify the welfare and ensure the well-being of elephants in captivity. Captive male elephants maintained at the "elephant camp" in Punnathur Kotta under the Guruvayoor Devaswom Board were utilized for the present study. The animals were divided into seven groups: group I (musth), group 11 (travel), group III (disease), group IV (restraint), group V (summer), group VI (monsoon) and group VII (normal). All the behavioural and physiological data were collected from the individual animals in the above mentioned groups. A total of forty two behaviours grouped into combined variables, were measured by focal-animal sampling technique using a behaviour check sheet to identify the behaviours indicative of stress. A total of thirty two hours of behavioural data were collected from four animals in each group, with eight hours of observation on each animal. The data were then analyzed using non-parametric tests to determine the significance of stress related behaviours. Most of the behaviours were performed with higher significance in group I followed by other groups in conjunction with a description of the context within which it takes place as an indicator of stress. The results indicate that musth is the single most stressful event. The prominent stress related behaviours identified during the present study were r.o stereotypes, temporal gland secretion and aggression. The frequency or intensity of performance of other behaviours was in line with the severity of the stressful event. A good correlation between the cortisol values and behaviour scores indicates that both physiological and behavioural measures can be used in conjunction as potential non-invasive methods to assess stress. Other physiological measures like rectal temperature and respiratory rate could not be used as a measure of stress, since the healthy subjects have the physiological and behavioural ability to cope with varying conditions of stress to maintain the normal homeostasis. Urine and faecal samples collected from animals in each group were stored at -20°C until it was processed and analyzed for measurement of cortisol metabolites by radioimmunoassay technique and urine creatinine concentrations by enzyme immunoassay technique using standard procedures. Urine creatinine concentrations were analyzed to counteract the variations in fluid intake by individual animals. Mean urine cortisol concentrations were found to be highest during musth (143.60 ± 30.07 ng/mg Cr) followed by restraint (115.62 ± 20.65 ng/mg Cr), disease (102.86 ± 22.44 ng/mg Cr), travel (93.07 ± 19.78 ng/mg Cr), summer (73.55 ± 11.95 ng/mg Cr) and monsoon (69.13 ± 11.63 ng/mg Cr) when compared to the mean values in normal group (59.98 ± 8.45 ng/mg Cr), indicative of the level of stress in each group. Similarly mean faecal glucocorticoid metabolite concentrations (11,17- dioxoandrostanes) were highest during musth (449.02 ± 86.31 nmol/kg) followed by restraint (354.62 ± 72.07 nmol/kg), summer (337.85 ± 41.94 nmol/kg), disease (335.52 ± 56.81 nmol/kg), travel (300.14 ± 50.71 nmol/kg) and monsoon (249.60 ± 44.31 nmol/kg). Both the urine cortisol concentrations and faecal cortisol metabolite concentrations followed a similar trend in the values indicating that, both the methods can be used as a measure for reliable indicator of stress. The results suggest that, musth is the most stressful event and monsoon season the least stressful event. The results of the present study suggest that, integrating the endocrine assessment, such as cortisol levels in the urine and faeces, with other evaluations based on behaviour could potentially provide a more meaningful measure of stress in captive living male Asian elephants and can help resolve the managemental problems. The study underlines the feasibility of measuring faecal and urine cortisol metabolites combined with behavioural measure as a non-invasive approach, to answer questions such as animal welfare and stress in captive elephants.ThesisItem Open 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 XavierHusbandry 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.ThesisItem Open Access Computerized data management system for goat farm(Department of Livestock Production and Management, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2002) Rajendran, S; KAU; Saseendran, P CRealizing the undeniable significance of computerization in farming operations and recognizing the potential popularity and growth of goat farming in India, every attempt has to be made to introduce computerized management into goat fanning. The present study was carried out in Kerala Agricultural University sheep and goat farm to introduce computerized data management system. The study involved the evaluation of the existing system, identification of the input requirement for developing computer program, development of computerized data management system (CDMS) evaluation of the CDMS, and comparison of the existing system with CDMS. Average time required for entering a set of data in livestock, birth, medicine stock, miscellaneous articles, stock, feed, milk recording and disposal, disposal and mortality and breeding registers in the existing system were found to be 21.36 ± 1.13,34.58 ± 0.81, 30.86 ± 1.13,32.06 ± 1.01,32.94 ±1 .07, 18.39 ± 1.08,31.47 ± 1.21 and 15.28 ± 1.03 seconds respectively. Average time required for recording a set of entries in kidding, mortality, sale of animals, breeding and milking events were found to be 47.47 ± 1.52,67.83 ± 1.69,57.36 ± 1.48, 15.28 ± 1.03 and 18.39 ± 1.08 seconds respectively in the existing system. Time taken to get data on population status, feed ingredients, total quantity of feed fed to animals, number of animal bred, kidding, total milk production, milk disposal, mortality and sale, transfer, and culling In the existing system was calculated. / Input requirements were determined based upon the data to be stored and the data to be obtained from the proposed computerized data management system (CDMS). Based on the information collected and anticipated reports required for an efficient goat farm management, a combination of Visual Basic 6.0 as front end tool and Microsoft Access 97 as back end tool were used. Computerised data management system for goat farms is structured under a main menu with various menus such as status, feed, production, reproduction, health, view reminder, reports and exit. The status menu under the main menu allows the user to record and retrieve various categories of animals. It is further divided into kids, young stock, adult stock, total stock, daily stock, medicine stock and miscellaneous article stock options. The feed menus has feeds and feed requirement submenus. Feeds sub menu allows the user to record purchase and issue details of feeds and feed requirement submenu gives details about nutritional requirement of various categories of animals. The production submenu is divided into weighing, growth chart, milk recording, milk chart and weaning for recording weighing measurement, calculating average daily weight gain, growth trend of an animal, milk yield, milk production trend of an animal and weaning details respectively. • Reproductive menu is segmented into oestrous, service and kidding. Date of heat and expected date of next heat can be recorded and obtained from / . oestrous option. Service option allows the user to get details about date of service, pregnancy diagnosis and expected date of kidding. Kidding details can be stored in the kidding option. Kidding interval, parity details and dry off date can be obtained from this submenu. Reminder menu is designed to obtain the checklists of animals due for vaccination, treatment, deworming, dipping, heat, service, kidding, weaning and dry off. View menu can display all the recorded information under various tables. Report menu is designed for obtaining animal strength, disposal details, feed details, production and reproduction performance, service report, breeding efficiency and farm income. Average time requirement to enter a set of entries in kids, medicine stock, miscellaneous articles, feed, milk recording, service, milk disposal, mortality and sales, transfer and culling records in the computerized data management system were 19.17 ± 0.81, 20.75 ± 0.69, 21.81 ± 0.71, 26.19 ± 0.79, 11.67 ± 0.84, 22.67 ± 0.99, 24.00 ± 0.68, 25.64 ± 0.08 and 27.50 ± 0.61 seconds respectively. Average time required for recording a set of entries in kidding, mortality, sale of animals, breeding and milking events were found to be 44.08 ± 0.94, 25.64 ± 0.80, 27.50 ± 0.61, 22.67 ± 0.99 and 32.92 ± l.38 seconds respectively in the computerized data management system. Time taken to get data on population status, feed ingredients, total quantity offeed, number of animals bred, kidding, total milk production milk disposal, mortality and sales, transfer and culling was calculated. Average time required for entering a set of entries in the computerized data management system was significantly (Pexisting system except breeding register which required more time in the computerized data management system than existing system. Average time required to record a set of entries in each event in the existing system was significantly differed (Pthat there was a significant difference (Pcomputerized data management system in case of time required to retrieve data.