Loading...
Thumbnail Image

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.

Browse

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    Performance of desi x exotic cross-bred layers
    (Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary Science, Mannuthy, 1992) Jayanthy, M V; KAU; Leo, Joseph
    Data were collected on egg production performance of two cross-breds viz. desi X Austra White (DAW) and desi X New Rock (DNR) from 20 to 40 weeks of age. The birds in each cross consisted of naked neck and normal neck varieties. DNR cross birds were significantly heavier at 20 and 40 weeks of age than DAW cross birds. The body weight in Naked neck and normal neck varieties comparable in both crosses. Age at sexual maturity was 184 and 189 days in DNR and DAW crosses respectively. Hen housed and hen day egg numbers were similar in both crosses (37.61 and 47.61 vs 34.40 and 47.81), while the naked neck birds in both crosses showed higher hen housed and hen day egg number between the varieties in DAW cross was significant (53.82 Vs 34.86). The eggs were significantly heavier in DNR cross than in DAW cross (46.74 Vs 44.88) whereas the varieties with in both crosses laid eggs of similar size. The mean daily feed consumption and feed efficiency were also similar in both crosses (106.61 g and 4.09 Vs 104.95 g and 4.93). In DAW cross, the naked neck birds registered a better feed efficiency. While DNR birds were multicolored and laid brown eggs, DAW crosses consisted of only black, grayish white with black patches and grey birds which laid tinted eggs. Broodiness was observed in both the crosses. Egg quality was excellent in both the crosses and varieties with in crosses, at 32 weeks of age. Livability was also similar in both crosses though it was poor. Considering the overall performance, the DNR cross was adjudged as a better cross for the backyard.
  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    Requirements of protein and energy for broilers during summer season
    (Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1992) Amritha Viswanath; KAU; Ramakrishnan, A
    An experiment was designed and conducted to establish the requirements of protein and energy for broilers during the summer season in the hot and humid atmosphere of Kerala. Four trials were conducted in a span of two years. In each trial the following energy-protein combinations at starter, and subsequent finisher diets were tested in a completely randomised design. Treatment Starter Finisher Diet 1 22% CP:2900 Kcal ME/kg 19% CP:3000 Kcal ME/kg Diet 2 24% CP:2900 Kcal ME/kg 19% CP:2900 Kcal ME/kg Diet 3 26% CP:2900 Kcal ME/kg 19% CP:3000 Kcal ME/kg Diet 4 26% CP:2900 Kcal ME/kg 19% CP:2900 Kcal ME/kg Trials corresponding to the same period for the two years were pooled and the results were presented as Period A (started in early summer and ended in peak summer) and Period B (started in peak summer and ended in late summer). Except for the difference in nutrient intake, all the management practices followed were uniform for the differenttrials and treatment groups. Feed and water were given ad lib. The chicks were fed with starter diet upto six weeks of age and finisher diet upto eighth week of age. Results of the study revealed that body weight at eighth week of age was not influenced by different- energy protein levels in the diet during both Period A and Period B. But difference between periods was statistically (P < 0.01) significant. Broiler chicks reared during Period A showed significantly lower mean body weight at eight week than Period., B. Dietary combination of 22:2900 in the starter and 19:3000 in the finisher stage upto eight weeks of age was found to be optimum for growth of broilers in summer months in Kerala. Body weight gain was not influenced by the dietary. treatments and by periods upto sixth week of age. Thereafter body weight gain was influenced by season. Broiler chicks reared during Period B showed higher body weight gain than Period A. Maximum body weight gain was recorded at fifth week of age in both Period A and Period B. Feed consumption was not affected by dietary treatments in both Period A and Period B, but was significantly affected by periods at seventh and eighth week of age. Feed efficiency was also not affected by different dietary treatments upto eight weeks of age. Broiler chicks reared during Period A showed poorer feed efficiency from sixth week onwards.
  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    Effect of floor density on production performance of commercial hybrid layers
    (Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1992) Geo, A G; KAU; Amritha Viswanath
    In order to prescribe optimum floor space allownace for the commercial hybrid layer ClLM-90) released from Mannuthy Centre of the 'AICRP on Poultry for Eggs' with the ultimate objective of reducing housing cost and achieving better labour efficiency, a study was carried out to evaluate its production performance on three different floor densities under "deep litter system of rearing. The floor densities evaluated were 1350/ 1575 and 1800 sq. cm. per bird. Each group was assigned to five replicates I and mean body weight at 20 weeks of age were kept uniform for all the replicates. Except for the difference in floor densities, all the managemental practices followed were uniform for the different treatment groups. Feed and water were given ad lib. The data were recorded for five, 28 day periods. Body . weight at 44th week of age and Age at fifty per cent production were not significantly influenced by the difference in floor densities- There was an increase in egg production as the floor space allowance per bird was increased and this increase was significant (P < 0-05) for the group provided with 1800 sq. cm. per bird than that of group provided with 1350 sq.cm. per bird. Feed consumption progressively increased as the floor space allowance increased and this increase was highly significant (P < 0.01). But/ the differences in feed efficiency among different groups were not statistically significant- Egg weight and other egg quality parameters such as shape Index, shell thickness. Albumen Index, Haugh Unit and Yolk Index were not affected by difference in floor space allowances. Mortality was also not found to be influenced by the difference in floor densities. Though the birds reared with a floor space of 1800 sq.cm. per bird showed higher egg production, the lower feed consumption, numerically higher efficiency of feed conversion and positive returns in terms of economics of production indicated that a floor density of 1350 sq.cm. per bird is more economical for the hybrid layer ILM-90 under Kerala condition.