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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: KAU × End date: 2003 × Start date: 2003 ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Buyer behaviour of rice farmers towards selected agricultural inputs in Thrissur District
    (Department of Rural Marketing Management, College of Co-operation, Banking and Management,Vellanikkara, 2003) Sreeja Nair, P; KAU; Sukumaran, A
    The study on 'Buyer behaviour of rice farmers towards selected agricultural inputs in Thrissur district' was undertaken with the following objectives: 1. to analyse the buyer behaviour of the rice farmers in relation to the quantitative, qualitative and market attributes of rice varieties and agrochemica\s, 2. to examine the source preference of seeds and agrochemicals, and 3. to assess the influence of technocrats and input supply agencies on the buying behaviour. The study was conducted in Pazhayannur block in Thrissur district. Pazhayannur block was having the highest area of rice cultivation and four pc nchayaths namely Pazhayannur, Chelakkara, Thiruvilwamala and Kondazhy were selected based on highest area of cultivation. From each panchayath each padasekharam was identified with highest net cropped area. A sample group of 30 farmers, comprising of small, medium and large fanner proportionately from each padasekharam constituted the total 120 respondents. The study made an explorative search in to the buyer behaviour of the respondents towards seeds and agrochemicals. The respondents were practicing two seasonal cultivations namely. virippu and mundakan. The summer crop {JIIIljO was not practicing due to lack ,of irrigation facilities. The main seed variety popular among the respondents was Kunjukunju, a non-descript variety. Some of them were using a HYV namely, Kanchana, on experimentbasis and it was released by Kcrala Agricultural University. The reason for preferring non- descript variety to HYV was that respondents had no faith in the high yielding properties of HYV seeds and they feared that such properties would decline within 2 to 4 generations. Variety loyalty was high among the respondents in case o i' Kunjukunju as they were using it for last 20 years. The respondents were aware aoout 3 or 4 varieties where, more than 100 varieties are available in the state. "" ,,, ~ .... ~ ---_ .... _- They were using their own output for seeds and an insignificant portion were pproaching Krishi Bhavan. In case of agrochemicals, the study revealed that majority of the respondents were using FACT fertilizers followed by SPIC and BASF's brands were the leading plant protection chemicals in the study area. The respondents identified availability as the major factor influenced the continuous usage of FACT fertilizers and HASF's brands. They were depending upon private outlets for purchasing agrochemicals and were forced to buy the available brands, as the traders were interested in some specific manufacturers based on the commission t ey earned. The respondents were using the agrochemicals according to the stages of application and brand multiplicity done nothing in the usage of grochemicals. The influence of technocrats including the agriculture officers and extension officers on the buying behaviour of the respondents was less and that of sales persons was high, especially in case of agrochemicals. The fanners were depending upon private trader for selling of output, as the private traders t. emselves will arrange the transportation of the end produce. But a major problem faced by the respondents was the low price offered by the private traders, comparing to the actual price prevailed in the market. The study emphasise that steps should be taken to increase the awareness of the farmers about HYV seeds and agrochemicals. The state agriculture department and agricultural university should expand their extension activities, and importance should be given in the field of researches on the buying behaviour of farmers, especially that of rice farmers as rice being the staple food of Kerala. Besides, the results point out vividly to the prime need for a systematic and effective marketing facilities for the farm output and a thorough price support system to improve the agricultural production, and ultimately the income of the fanner. '