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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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  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    Effect of housing systems on performance of broilers in summer
    (Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary and Animal Science, Mannuthy, 1991) John Jacob, E; KAU; Peethambaran, P A
    A study was undertaken to quantamise the performance of broilers during three to eight weeks of age under three systems of rearing namely deep litter (DL), deep litter with fanned environment (DLF) and wire floor (WF) in a house with ACC roofing. The deep litter system of rearing broilers in a house with tile roofing (DLT) was also studied and compared with the above systems. Each system consisted of five replicates of 28 chicks each. Wood shavings were used as litter material in deep litter system. Plastic hexagonal mesh was used in wire floor system. Pedestal fan were used for providing fanned environment. Dry mash was fed throughout the study. Feed and water were provided ad libitum. Standard managemental practices were followed identically in all systems of rearing. It was observed that the eighth week body weight and cumulative feed efficiency were numerically better with broilers reared in the house with tile roof. The cumulative feed intake per broiler during the period from zero to eight weeks of age was low during summer with all rearing systems studied. The cumulative feed efficiency was adversely affected by rearing broilers on DL with fanned environment. A marked reduction in maximum temperature inside the house, per cent relative humidity at the level of birds and cloacal temperature of birds were noticed in broilers reared with deep litter system in the house with tile roofing. The overall mean per cent relative humidity inside the house was found to be 82.5 per cent in the morning and 49.0 per cent in the afternoon during summer. Livability was not affected by any of the housing system. Among the different rearing systems, a reduction in ready to cook yield was observed in broilers reared with deep litter system in the house with ACC roofing. The returns over cost of feeding broilers revealed that it was Rs 7.99 per broiler with deep litter system of rearing in the house with tiled roof. In the house with ACC roofing, the returns over feeding cost in various systems were comparatively lower. From the above findings, it was concluded that rearing of broilers on deep litter system in a house with tiled roof was preferable in comparison with deep litter and wire floor system of rearing in a house with asbestos roofing, during summer season under hot humid environment.