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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: Rural Banking and Finance Management × Author: Abhilash, T Gopal × Thesis Type: M.Sc ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Savings and investment behaviour of rubber cultivators - a micro level analysis
    (Department of Rural Banking and Finance Management, College of Co-operation Banking and Management, Vellanikkara, 1998) Abhilash, T Gopal; KAU; Padmini, E V K
    The study entitled ‘Savings and Investment Behaviour of Rubber Cultivators- A Micro Level Analysis’ was conducted with the following objectives. To analyse the extent and pattern of savings and investment of rubber cultivators. To examine the factors influencing their savings and investment decisions. The study was confined to the rubber cultivators in Meenachil taluk of Kottayam district. The study period was Sep.1996 to Aug. 1997. The sample frame comprised 150 respondents and the respondents were classified into three groups based on their size of holdings. The groups are S1-below 1 hectare (ha), S2 between 1ha and 2ha and S3 between 2ha and 5 ha. The data collected from 150 respondents were tabulated and analysed. The study revealed that the extent of savings was highest for group S3 followed by group S1 and S2. The results indicate that the cultivation of rubber was the major source of income (almost 75 per cent of total income) in all the three cultivator groups considered for the study. Hence the size of rubber cultivation was the major income side determinant of extent of savings among the sample households. However the rate of savings showed a different pattern. The average propensity to save is lowest in group S2 (23 per cent) and is highest in group S3 (36 per cent) closely followed by group S1 (34 per cent). Though the total amount of expenditure is highest in groupS3, its extent and rate of savings are highest as it has managed a very high amount of net income. Despite having the lowest extent of net income the group S1 has achieved an appreciable rate of savings by controlling their total expenditure. From the responses of the cultivators five items viz. education of the children, ceremonies, putting up houses, saving for emergencies and bequeathing assets to spouses and children were emerged as the principal motivations for saving. The savings was mainly disposed in the form of investments in financial assets. The other major form of disposition of savings was investments in nonincome generating assets like household durables and buildings. Among the financial assets bank deposit was the most preferred option of the respondents and co-operative bank deposits had an edge over others. Rate of return followed by safety and proximity were emerged as major parameters influencing the investment options in financial assets. Investment in non income generating assets was found increasing with the increase in the size of holding. Their personal use apart, status concern and demonstration effect were the prime motivations behind such investment. The study established that though the savings is mainly generated from agriculture sector, (especially from rubber cultivation) such savings are not appropriately ploughed as investment in the same sector. Instead the savings is mainly disposed either as financial assets (a low risk low return option) or as unproductive investments.