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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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20171
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Subject: Soil and water Engineering × End date: 2017 × Start date: 2017 × Type: Thesis ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Academy of climate change education and research on water resources in the command area of a river diversion scheme
    (Academy of Climate Change Education and Research, Vellanikkara, 2017) Abhijith, V; KAU; Mary Regina, F
    Climate change is the major cause that affects water availability mainly due to variability in rainfall and temperature. The rising population and increasing food demands are imposing a further pressure on available water resources. Hence the efficient management of available water resource is of great concern. Irrigation is the largest sector that accounts for water use. In this situation a study was conducted in the command area of Left Bank Canal of Chalakudy River Diversion Scheme to assess the impact of climate variability on the water availability for the cropping systems and domestic demand during the irrigation period from December to May. The variability and trend in the rainfall was studied for the basin for a period from 1987 to 2016 and it is seen that the annual rainfall shows a declining trend. An investigation was done for finding out the cropping pattern of the canal commands. The crop water demand worked out using CROPWAT was used to estimate irrigation water demand. The domestic water demand calculated for the basin along with the irrigation water requirement constituted the net water demand. The total weekly water requirement was computed for all the branch canals for the irrigation period. The groundwater level analysis was done for wells along branch canals. Water recharge was observed in almost all the observation wells during supply periods. But no recharge was observed in wells in tail reaches during certain supply periods due to insufficient supply of water to tail ends. The weekly water supply for the branch canals were compared with the water demand. Most branches show a water deficit while a few exhibits water excess. Water deficit was observed mostly in longer and farther branches. The existing supply system was noted to be inefficient and works without considering proper branch wise water demand. The discharge from the main shutter was also obtained and was found to be almost about five times of the demand. Seepage losses, illegal withdrawal of canal water, and improper management are observed to be the reasons behind the insufficient water supply. Proper management of canals and supply based on demand has to be followed for efficient water management. A computer based model was developed for the calculation of weekly water demand based on crop and weather data. A comparison of supply with the demand can also be done in the model which indicates the efficiency of supply system on a weekly basis. Proper planning can be done for efficient water management through the canal system, under the given conditions using the model.