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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: 2004 × Start date: 2004 ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Swot analysis of agro-chemical distribution system in Thrissur district
    (Department of Rural Marketing Management, College of Co-operation Banking &Management,Vellanikkara, 2004) Hena, M; KAU; Ushadevi, K N
    The study on ‘SWOT Analysis of agro-chemical distribution system in Thrissur district’ was undertaken with the following objectives: 1. to analyse the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of agro-chemical distribution system, and 2. to suggest a strategy for streamlining it as a farmer friendly agro-chemical distribution system. The study was conducted in Pazhayannur and Wadakkencherry blocks in Thrissur district. Pazhayannur block was having the highest area under rice cultivation and the Wadakkencherry block was having the highest area under banana and vegetable cultivation. A ‘Padasekharam’ having highest area of rice cultivation and a ‘Harithasangam’ and a ‘Self help group’ having the highest area of banana and vegetable cultivation were selected respectively from these blocks. Thus, the ‘Pazhayannur padasekhara samiti’ from Pazhayannur panchayath in Pazhayannur block, Malakom Harithasangam and a KHDP Self Help Group from Thekkumkara panchayath in Wadakkencherry block were selected for the study. The sample group of farmers was fixed to 100, in which 40 farmers from a ‘Padasekharam’ and 30 each from a ‘Harithasangam’ and a ‘Self Help Group’. 25 co-operative outlets and 20 private traders from these blocks were also surveyed. The study made an explorative search in to the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of agro-chemical distribution system. Based on the distributors response towards agro-chemical distribution, the most popular fertiliser manufacturers among co-operative outlets and private traders were ‘FACT’ and among plant protection chemicals ‘Bayer India’, ‘Rallis India’ and ‘BASF’ were the most popular manufacturers. All the distribution outlets pointed out that they were providing credit facility to farmers for purchasing inputs. While the co-operatives were helping the farmers in marketing their produce. The distribution outlets used to recommend products to farmers and the major factor behind the recommendation was the availability of products in the outlets. In the opinion of farmers, majority of the respondents were using both organic materials and agro-chemicals for increasing crop yield and protecting the crops. Decision regarding the quality and type of agro-chemicals to be applied in the field was taken by the influence of the salesman. The major source of information to the respondents was private trader followed by Krishi bhavan. The farmers preferred private traders as their source of purchase and the major factor influenced the source preference of farmers towards the distribution outlet was credit availability. Majority of the respondents revealed that co-operative outlets were at a distance of more than 6 kms. while private traders were at a distance between 2 - 4 kms. SWOT Analysis of co-operative distribution outlets revealed that the major strengths which were existing in the system are credit facility to farmers, good farmer-supplier relationship and helps the farmer in marketing their produce. The major weaknesses were supply of subsidised products only and lack of promotional efforts. The identified opportunities which have to be tapped were insurance scheme for farmers and bio-fertliser supply. The threats for the co-operative distribution outlets in their view were interest is to earn high margin and supply of adulterated products. Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats were identified for private traders also. The major strengths were credit facility to farmers, good farmer-supplier relationship and inform farmer about new products. Lack of sale point training was the major weakness to private traders among the other weaknesses. The identified opportunities were insurance scheme for farmers and bio-fertiliser supply and the threats were interest is to earn high margin and supply of adulterated products. From the results obtained from the SWOT Analysis, suitable strategies are formulated for both co-operative distribution outlets and private traders. The suggested strategy for co-operative outlets is to maximise strengths and opportunities and to minimise weaknesses ie., SO-W (maxi-maxi-mini) strategy. Similarly, probable strategy is suggested for private traders by taking into consideration of their strengths, opportunities and weaknesses. The strategy for the private traders is also SO-W strategy (maxi-maxi-mini) strategy, ie. to maximise strengths and opportunities and to minimise weaknesses.