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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 Resource management in urban co-operative banks in Thrissur district(Department of Co- operative Management, College of Co- operation and Banking,Vellanikkara, 1993) Babu, C V; KAU; Sukumaran, AStudy on resource management in urban cooperative banks in thirssur district was conducted with the objective of examining the resource management practices of urban cooperative banks with special reference to the management of sources and use of funds, to identify problems and to suggest remedial measures thereof. Study observed that deposits constituted the lions share of total sources of funds of banks. The borrowings of the banks were negligible. Thre strong capital base of the banks helped to retain the credibility of the depositors, Reserves which contribute the major chunk of the owned funds, increased the total source of funds. The high proportion of fixed deposits in the funds mobilized caused to rise the interest liability of the banks. Since there are limits to control the interest cost, banks have to bring down their manpower and other expenses, improve revenue by the profitable deployment of funds, besides enhancing the mobilization of deposits for short periods. Among the three types of loans and advances, short term loans and advances occupied highest place. However, banks may further improve the share of short term loans in the funds deployment, which can ensure frequent recycling of funds, maximize profit and keep the liquidity needs met. The major part of investment in short term loans and advances were financed through fixed deposit mobilization. Funds were not rationally allocated from the view point of periodicity. Yielding lesser income to the banks, the investments increased enormously. The disproportionate growth of equity and debts of the banks intensified the risk exposure of funds portfolio. There had no direct relationship between risk and return of the banks and a proper risk return trade off is lacking in majority of the banks. Banks had kept excess liquid assets and liquid cash over and above the statutory requirements. This necessitated scientific evaluation of the liquidity needs to identify the funds blocked as idle and utilize the excess fund kept for profitable deployment. Credit deposit ration of the banks was below the desirable level and this affected the profitability adversely. The lending efficiency of the banks had also affected by the poor recycling of funds. Therefore, steps may be taken to improve, the credit deposit ratio, reduce mounting over dues, and ensure efficient management of risk and return which in turn calls for the scientific management of funds.ThesisItem Open Access Performance of Rubber Clones in Pullengode estate in Ernad Taluk of Malappuram district(Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture,Vellanikkara, 1994) Ravindra Das, K; KAU; Prassannakumari Amma, SThe study aimed at evaluating the performance of three clones of rubber viz. RRII 105, RRIM 600 and PB 235 in Ernad taluk of Malappuram district. Ten identical units in each clone were selected and details on girth and yield characters were gathered. The secondary characters such as resistance to diseases, tapping panel dryness, wind damage, yield depression during summer, dry rubber content, colour of latex etc. were studied. The study was conducted through personal visits and with the help of a pre – tested questionnaire. Some of the details were collected from the Rubber Board Regional Officer, Nilambur and from the records mainted in the Pullengode estate. The results of the study showed that the over all performance of the clones RRII 105 and RRIM 600 were satisfactory under the prevailing agro – climatic conditions in Malappuram district and in the hilly tract of Pullengode area. Available information from the estate showed that the highest yield was recorded for the clone RRII 105. It showed a fair degree of tolerance to abnormal leaf fall and pink disease than the other clones, but was susceptible to brown bast. The trees are being kept under the low frequency tapping system to control the occurrence of tapping panel dryness. The clone showed the lowest depression in yield of 16.19 per cent during summer. The clone recorded a dry rubber content of 39.65 per cent. The clone RRIM 600 occupied the second place in the overall performance and yield. The incidence of abnormal leaf fall and pink disease was not so severe. The powdery mildew and brown bast incidence were low. The yield depression during summer was 18.88 per cent. It recorded the highest dry rubber content of 39.75 per cent. Since the trees of the clone PB 235 were opened only in 1992, the yield pattern is not possible to be explained as it has not reached the stable stage. More data are required for a realistic comparison with the other clones. The susceptibility to abnormal leaf fall and powdery mildew was high. Incidence of pink disease was low. Tapping panel dryness was also not observed, perhaps being in the second year of tapping under low frequency system. The clone had light yellow latex of low dry rubber content of 31.45 per cent. In general Pullengode estate maintains the clones, RRII 105, RRIM 600 and PB 235 selected for the study under scientific and uniform conditions. The performance of the clones, except the slight variations inherant with each clone in growth, yield, susceptibility and tolerance to disease incidence, is found to be excellent. The clones are suitable for this region under the existing agro – climatic conditions and the recommended cultural practices.ThesisItem Open Access Comparative Study of The Contribution of Biometric Characters on Yieldin Dessert and Culinary Varieties of Banana(Department of Statistics, College of Veterinary,Mannuthy, 1981) Vijayaraghava Kumar; KAU; George, K CInvestigations on the different morphological characters were undertaken from the crop raised at the University Banana Research Farm, Kannara. The plants were grown in Randomised blocks of 3 replications. There were 58 varieties in dessert type and 30 in culinary varieties of bananas. The important morphological characters studied were height, girth, number of leaves, weight of hands, weight of fingers, number of fingers, length of fingers, thickness of fingers, number of hands, number of fingers per hand, length of peduncle and the yield. In both of the groups all of these characters were shown high significant difference among varieties. In many characters and in yield the ‘average values’ were slightly greater in culinary varieties. The correlation studies revealed that the phenotypic and genotypic correlations of all these characters with yield is positive. The path coefficient analysis on dessert varieties has shown that the character having maximum contribution to yield is weight of hands. The weight of fingers and number of fingers also influences the yield indirectly. In the case of culinary varieties of bananas the number of fingers had the maximum direct contribution to yield. In this group the conclusion made was that when the number of hands increases, the number of fingers per hand decreases which will bring down the yield. Studies on the discriminant function were also carried out in both the varieties. The genetic advance through discriminant function didn’t reveal any worth significance as the genetic advances through these functions were less than that calculated by straight selection (in both groups). Thus straight selection is enough for such purposes in these banana varieties. By fixing index values for all the varieties in the two groups selection was made easy. The best varieties obtained by this method were Chenkadali and Red Banana in dessert group and Peykunnan and Walha in the culinary varieties. The results from the path analysis has revealed that there is no need of putting any restriction on the dessert varieties. In the other group after putting restriction on ‘girth’ the genetic advance were calculated individually for the significant (the ones taken in this analysis) morphological characters. It has seen that ‘number of fingers’ had the maximum genetic advance. Finally by combining all the varieties in the dessert and culinary groups a combined selection index was also fitted. The genetic advances of this index was found to be nearer to that obtained from the analysis of culinary varieties.ThesisItem Open Access Regulation of flowering and post _harvest behaviour of Anthurium andreanum Cv . Hawaiian red(Department Of Pomology And Floriculture,College Of Horticulture,Vellanikkara, 1999) Abdussamed, K P; KAU; Valasalakumari, P KThesisItem Open Access Nodulation Behaviour Of Acacia Mangium Wikd.In Response TO Rhizobium Inoculation(Department of Tree Physiology and breeding, College of forestry,Vellanikkara, 1998) Dhaneshkumar, P; KAU; Ashokan, P KAn investigation was carried out during April 1996 to December 1997 at the College of Forestry, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara to study the nodulation characteristics of Acacia mangium Willd. plantation and to isolate and compare the efficiency of rhizobia from different agroclimatic regions of Kerala. The efficiency of these rhizobial isolates under varying conditions of soil fertility and acidity were also evaluated. Survey conducted throughout the state showed rhizobial association and nodulation in all mangium plantations. The soil of these plantations were acidic with pH values ranging from 4.9 to 6.2. Experiments conducted to study the rhizobial characteristics indicated that, the fast growers (Rhizobium spp.) as well as the slow growers tBradyrhizobium spp.) are involved in nodulation of A. mangium in Kerala. The efficiencies of different rhizobial isolates were studied in polypots using sterilized and unsterilized soil - sand mixture. Two other polypot experiments were conducted to study the response of the rhizboial isolates to liming and Nand P application. The experiments were laid out in C.R.D with three replications. Seedlings raised in unsterilized soil performed better as compared to seedlings in sterilized soil. However, the response to inoculation was more prominent in sterilized soil. In sterilized soil, seedlings inoculated with Rhizobium isolates from mangium ;MRh-3 (Mananthavadi), MRh- 2(Perambra), MRh-13 (Trivandrum), MRh-6 (Vellanikkara) and MRh-lO (Mavelikkara) and commercial mangium culture (" Agroforester - Group A") showed superiority in nodulation and growth characteristics while the isolates from A. auriculijonnis and commercial culture of A. auriculijonnis, ("Agroforester - Group C") were not much effective. Seedling - response to inoculation varied with rhizobial isolates, and mangium showed its specificity in Rhiozbium requirement for nitrogen fixation. The application of lime adversely affected nodulation capacity of the rhizobial isolates of mangium from Kerala, indicating the adaptations of these isolates to acidic soils. The nodulation efficiency of commercial culture "Agroforester - Group A" was improved by lime application, indicating that this strain is adapted to soils of higher pH. The nodulation and nitrogen fixing efficiency of the isolates were improved by supplementating fertilized N and P. The need for a starter dose of Nand P for effective nodulation and efficient Ny-fixation in mangium seedlings. MRh-6 (Vellanikkara) performed poorly in unfertilized soil, but showed superiority when applied with N and P fertilizers, indicating the sensitivity of this isolate to site conditions. As the rhizobial isolates from different agroclimatic regions of Kerala responded differently under varying soil pH and doses of Nand P, inoculation of selected strains of rhizobia depending on site conditions may be needed for successful establishment of mangium seedlings.ThesisItem Open 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 NThe 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.ThesisItem Open Access Consumer behaviour towards branded rice and rice products in Thrissur district(Department of Rural Marketing Management, College of Co-operation, Banking and Management,Vellanikkara, 2002) Sangeetha, P R; KAU; Philip SabuThe study entitled "Consumer behaviour towards branded rice and rice products in Thrissur District" was undertaken with the following objectives: * To find out the share of branded rice and rice products in total rice and rice product consumption; * To examine the consumer behaviour towards branded varieties of rice and rice products; and To identify the factors influencing consumer choice. The study was conducted in three wards viz., Mission Quarters, West Fort and Wadakkechira Bus Stand Area of Thrissur Municipal Town (now part of the Corporation). The sample consisted of 200 households, which were selected proportionate to the total number of households in each selected ward. The study was based on primary data collected from the sample respondents (housewives) using a pre-tested structured schedule. Bivariate tables, Percentages, Preferential Ranking Method, Kendall' s Coefficient of Concordance, Satisfaction Index and Likert's Scale were empl?yed to analyse and interpret data. The study was an explorative search into the behaviour of the consumers towards branded rice, rice products and basmati rice. An attempt was also made to find out the share of brand users among the respondents and to identify the factors influencing consumer choice. Analysis of the socio-economic profile of the respondents revealed that majority of them preferred non-branded rice and home-made rice products irrespective of socio-economic differences. The preference towards branded rice and rice products was comparatively higher among the respondents with higher education and higher income. Similarly, compared to aged people, the share of brand users was higher among the younger generation. The share of employed respondents preferring branded rice products was more than the share of employed respondents preferring branded rice. The share of brand users was relatively higher among 'nuclear' families than joint families. Majority or the respondents, were spending on an average of 45.5 per cent of the total monthly expenditure on food items. The average monthly household expenditure on rice, rice products and basmati rice was around 14 per cent of the total food expenditure and six per cent of the total household expenditure. Regarding the share of brand users among the respondents, it was observed that majority of the respondents were using non-branded rice, non- branded basrnati rice and home-made rice products. The share of brand users was only 30.5 per cent, 25 per cent and 35 per cent respectively in the case of rice, rice products and basmati rice. Most of the respondents were using boiled rice for meals and a mix of raw and boiled rice for making rice products. 'Taste' and 'custom/habit' were the major reasons stated for the use of home-made nee products, while 'convenience' and 'taste' influenced the use of branded rice products. 'Quality perceptions' about the branded varieties was identified as the major reason for using branded rice and basmati rice by the users. 'Low price' and 'satisfaction with the currently used variety' were the factors that influenced the users of non-branded rice and basmati rice. Irrespective of brand and non-brand preferences, brand awareness and ability to recall the brand was higher in the case of rice and rice products and lower in the case of basmati rice. Brand loyalty was also very high among the brand users in all the selected items. Brand shifting tendency, in general, was weak among the respondents. As regards the source of purchase, 'supermarkets' were the major source of purchase for all branded items. 'General provision stores' and 'margin free supermarkets' were the major source of purchase in the case of non-branded rice and basmati rice respectively. Store loyalty was very high among both the brand and non-brand users across the items. 'Accessibility', 'better customer service' and 'discount offered by the shop keeper' were the major reasons for store loyalty. 'High price', 'inconveniences', 'non-availability' and 'poor customer service' were the reasons that caused store shift by the respondents. As far as quantity preferred for single purchase was concerned, brand users of rice preferred to buy in small quantities compared to non-brand users. But in the case of basmati rice, most of the brand and non-brand users preferred to buy one kg packet for a single purchase. Similarly branded rice product users preferred to buy half kg or one kg packet for a single purchase. Purchase decision regarding rice, rice products and other consumables were made by women in majority of the families eventhough the husbands constituted the major actual buyers in rice and other consumables. Wives constituted the major shoppers in the case of rice products. Media exposure, both print and electronic, was very high among the respondents. Majority of them were subscribing newspaper and magazines and possessing television, telephone and radio. Television was identified as the most preferred advertising media and the main source of information regarding rice and rice products. In the bid to find out the parameters influencing purchase behaviour, it was found out that 'taste', 'absence of foreign materials', 'less cooking time' and 'aroma' were the major parameters that influenced the purchase behaviour of both brand and non-brand users in rice and basmati rice. 'Taste', 'easy availability' and 'convenience' were the parameters influencing the purchase of rice products. Satisfaction level of both brand and non-brand users towards the brand/variety currently used by them was also very high and 'price' was the only factor which scored a lower degree of satisfaction. In the effort to examine the general attitude of the respondents towards branded rice, rice products and basmati rice, it was observed that all the brand users and majority of the non-brand users had a favourable attitude towards brands. A detailed analysis of the attitude of the respondents towards statements representing various features of the selected items revealed that majority of the brand users had a favourable attitude towards all the statements. Most of the non- brand users showed neutral attitude towards product related attributes such as 'volume expansion', 'taste' and 'shelf life' of the product. Majority of the brand and non-brand users agreed that the price of the branded items was high. The general observation from the study was that eventhough most of the brand and non-brand users showed a favourable attitude towards brands, only a small percentage of them was using branded items. The share of brand users was only 3Cl.5 per cent, 25 per cent and 35 per cent in the case of rice, rice products and basmati rice respectively. The major factor which prevented the non-brand users from using brands was the relatively higher price of the brands. It was also observed that the product related factors such as 'taste', 'absence of foreign materials', and 'less cooking time' were the major factors that influenced the purchase decision of consumers, both brand and non-brand. Majority of the respondents were highly satisfied with the brand or variety currently used by them except in the case of price.ThesisItem Open Access Simultation of the Effect of Land and Vegetation Management on Runoff and Sediment Yield From a Small Watershed- a case Study(Department of Land and Water Resources and Conservation Engineering, Kelappaji College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology,Thavanur, 2000) Vinod Kumar, P R; KAU; Xavier Jacob, KConservation of soil by sound measures forms one of the fundamental premises towards a sustained future. The management of land and vegetation has profound influence in conservation programme. To simulate the effect of land and vegetation management measures on runoff and sediment yield from a waterhed, a study was conducted at Development Unit – IX of Attapadi region, in Palghat district. The relationship between effective rainfall and sediment mobilized due to rain storm was established as; ES = 28.57 ER0.9385., where ES is the effective sediment mobilized in T/km2 and ER is the effective rainfall in cm. The Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) was applied on perstorm basis to estimate the soil erosion. The Modified – USLE (R) factor was used to represent the erosivity factor in the soil loss estimation. The topographic factor (LS) was computed using the USLE and Revised – USLE methods. This particular parameter computed with the USLE was more than that of the RUSLE. The amount of soil erosion predicted with the USLE were more than that of the RUSLE due to greater LS factor associated with the USLE method. However both methods provided an ‘r2’ value of 0.9724. The WEPP – model was applied to simulate the runoff and soil erosion processes during individual rainstorm events. The model provided reliable simulation of the erosion process, but the runoff values were under – predicted for all the simulated events. The hillslopes cultivated with tuber crops gave maximum erosion per unit area during the simulation. The reason could be assumed as the absence of sufficient ground and canopy cover in this areas, which possessed a loosened surface after harvesting. The lands left as barren after tree felling also had increased rates of erosion during the simulation, which could be due to the lack of vegetative protection. While the paddy field had lesser rates of erosion owing to the flatness of land and vegetation cover. The other areas yielded reduced rates of erosion due to good canopy cover as well as surface cover provided by closely growing vegetation.ThesisItem Open Access Marketing Practices of The study entitled "Marketing Practices of Fruit and Vegetable Processing Industries in Thrissur District(Department of Rural Marketing Management, College of Cooperation Banking and Management,Mannuthy, 1996) Jeeja, T V; KAU; Rajan Nair, NThe study entitled "Marketing Practices of Fruit and Vegetable Processing Industries in Thrissur District" was undertaken to examine the practices in procurement of inputs, selection of product mix and cost and to examine the marketing efficiency of the fruit and vegetable processing industries. Fruit and vegetable processing units, falling respectively in the classes of ‘oldest unit in the district', ‘excellent unit in the district’, ‘co-operative form of organisation’, and ‘a household rural unit’ were selected from the district. Farmers intermediaries in the procurement of raw materials, intermediates in the distribution network of processed products and consumers were selected randomly for gathering primary data. The data was collected during the period 1993-1995. Simple averages, percentages, tables, non-paramatric test and direct reporting comprised the methodology. The main raw materials used by the processing industry was fruits and vegetables collected from local production centres. However, raw materials were also procured from out-of-state production centres when insufficiency was felt and to improve the product range. The number of channels and intermediates in the procurement process was lengthy, but were performing certain critical functions at times. So the study suggests a revised model which combines the positive aspects of each channel and also provides satisfaction to the farmers, functionary and processing units. The product mix of the oldest unit was the highest while that of the rural household unit was the lowest. It was observed that when product mix was higher, price of products also went up. The marketing efficiency of the distribution network analysed through functional, price spread and consumer response analysis revealed that channel involving dealers was the most effective channel. Finally, a new model, from procurement of raw materials to distribution of procesed items, is suggested for improving the performance of processing industries.
