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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: Spices, Plantation and Medicinal and Aromatic Plants × Author: KAU × End date: 1993 × Start date: 1993 ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Economic Feasibilityb of Betelvine as an Intercrops in Rubber Holdings of Mavelikkara Taluk
    (Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture,Vellanikkara, 1993) Vijayakumari, P R; KAU; Nazeem, P A
    A study has been conducted to analyse the economic feasibility of betelvine as an intercrop in the rubber holding of Mavelikkara taluk . Only five units having betelvine as intercrop could be identified in this area. One hundred other holding 20 each of betelvine as pure crop, plantain as intercrop, plantain as pure crop having covercrop and without any intercrop were also selected for the study . The study revealed that only a small portion of the holding was occupied by the betelvine, when it was treated as an intercrop. The cost of cultivation was found to be very high when compared with other cash crops. This might be the reason for limiting the cultivation to a small portion. This was confirmed by the fact that betelvine as pure crop was also limited in extent. The benefit cost analysis of the above crops revealed that betelvine cultivation was highly profitable with a benefit cost ratio of 2.51 in the intercropped area and was significantly higher than that for plantain which is the other common intercrop. The soil analysis data showed that betelvine absorbed lesser nutrients than plantain . The rubber plants of betelvine intercropped area showed vigorous growth than other intercrops which was due to the regular irrigation and fortnightly application of organic manure to the betelvine. Though the cost of cultivation was very high for betelvine , it could be recommended as an intercrop in the rubber holdings where there is availability of water throughout the year since it ensures substantial weekly income for the grower and his family. Though betelvine could be treated as a perennial crop, the farmers choosing it as an intercrop in rubber holdings will have to sacrifice the same by the fourth year when the rubber canopy closes to the full extent. Hence, we can suggest betelvine as an intercrop in rubber holdings only if land is too scare for its monoculture.