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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: Others × Author: George Thomas, KAU × End date: 1999 × Start date: 1994 × Type: Thesis ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Input management in dairy co-operatives of Ollukkara Block
    (Department of Co- operative Management, College of Co- operation, Banking and Management,Vellanikkara, 1994) George Thomas, KAU; Mani, K P
    The study entitles input Management in Dairy Co-operatives of Ollukkara Block was undertaken to examine the input management of dairy co operatives, identify the farmers preference for input services, and identify the problems as also constraints in input management by dairy co operatives. Three Anand pattern dairy co operatives, falling respectively in the classes of well performing societies satisfactorily performing societies and poorly performing societies, were selected from Ollukkara block of Thrissur district. Thirty farmers each were drawn at random from these societies for gathering primary data. While the primary data were collected in 1993, the secondary data pertain to a nine year period from 1984. Simple averages, percentages, tabular method, priority index, satisfaction index and direct reporting comprised the methodology. The supply of concentrate cattle feed was the major input service in the sample societies. Despite this, about 80 per cent of the estimated demand for feed was met by the private sector. The societies too depended more on the private sector for procuring feed, thanks to the inadequate production and irregular supply of feed by the co operative union. The farmers were less satisfied over this input service because of reasons like un preferred brands supplied, quality deterioration, stock out situations, inconvenient time schedule for feed supply, non availability of feed in small lots etc. But as regards price, and mode of payment, they were satisfied. Private traders outdid the societies on preferred brand, brand choice, continuous supply of feed, supply in small quantities and at convenient time. Only 56 per cent of the farmers were aware of the provision of veterinary service, and 31 per cent alone availed of the service. Mismatch between need and time of service, procedural complexities, irregularity of doctors, difficulty in bringing animals to societies etc. deterred farmers from using thi service. Supply of fodder seeds too did not yield much response from farmers because of scarcity of land, poor crop, higher crop etc., besides the abundance of natural fodder. The input management is to be made efficient by improving upon the various services in the interest of the farmers.