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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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1994 - 19962
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Subject: Spices, Plantation and Medicinal and Aromatic Plants × Author: KAU × End date: 1996 × Start date: 1994 ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Tapping systems adopted by small growers of Taliparamba taluk and its impact on yield of rubber
    (Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1994) Raghu Raman, V; KAU; Nazeem, P A
    A detailed study was conducted among the small growers of Alakode and Payyavoor villages of Thaliparamba taluk in order to ascertain the extent of adoption of scientific tapping and processing method . Eightly seven holdings representing the highly concentrated rubber growing areas of the taluk under different size groups were selected for the investigations and the growers interviewed with a pre- tested questionnaire. Size of the holding s varied from 0.20 to 1.60 ha and the units have been sorted out in to 4 groups. Average size of the holding was 0.51 ha in respect of R R I I 105 and 0.39 ha in respect of GTI. Since the Rubber Board officials used to visit the holdings during immaturity period to assess the eligibility for the disbursement of subsidy, maintenance of all young rubber areas were satisfactory. But once the plants attain maturity , maintenance , tapping , processing etc . are done according to the knowledge, ideas and convenience of the growers and workers. Standard of tappability , height of opening , slope of tapping cut and time of tapping were found followed as per the recommendations. Alternative daily i.e, 1/2Sd/2 system of tapping was more prevalent. While 94 per cent followed 1/2Sd/2 system 6 per cent adopted1/2S d/2 system of tapping . Of the two clones RRII 105 and GTI tapping panel dryness (TPD)was observed in RRII 105@5 percent were tapping is done at an intensity of 1/22S d/2 i.e ., 100 per cent on Bo 1 panel . In the same clone units tapped at a frequency of 67 percent , on BO 1 panel, i.e., 1/2S d/3 intensity of tapping , panel dryness is slightly low i.e., 2.5 percent. In GT1, TPD is dismally low-1 percent even at 100 percent intensity. However, the GT1 , plants in the surveyed area were older and tapping was in progress in BO 2 panel, compared with the RRII 105 trees. Rain guarding is done by only 24 per cent growers. Drop in yield after rainy season is reported by many experienced growers and this makes many growers hesitant to rain guard their trees. Panel protection with fungicides in rain guarded trees is a must and it has to be done periodically. In rain guarded trees the panel protection with fungicide once in a week was observed in 99 per cent holdings whereas 1 per cent did it once in 14 days. In the units which were not rain guarded 45 per cent treated the panel with wound dressing compounds and 8 percent only white washed the panel. Units which did not give any panel treatment accounted to 23 per cent. Number of additional tapping days obtained by the rain guarding varied from 25 to 50days. This was depending up on the time of rain guarding of rain obtained in the respective localities . A good number of units obtained 41to 45 additional tapping days which accounted 48 per cent of the total number units rain guarded. It was also found that , alternate daily tapping is more prevelant among the growers. Though RRII 105 is recommended for once in three days tapping, 94 per cent holdings adopted alternate daily tapping for the clone RRII 105, while 6 percent followed once in three days tapping . From the study it is concluded that TPD is more in RRII 105 units tapped alternative daily i.e., 1/2 S d/2 compared to the units of the same clone tapped once in three days i.e ., 1/2S D/3. Small growers are much hesitant to adopt once in three days tapping because of constraints like financial difficulties, that arised due to the drop in yield and income , co – operation from the workers etc . Clone –wise average yield obtained per hectare has been worked out . RRII 105 was found definitely yielding better than GTI. Though the yield obtained under ½ S d/3 system was lesser than that of ½ system there was no substantial difference which can be considered as an advandage, as percentage of infection of TPD in those units is very low. It was noted that 92 per cent of RRII 105 and 100 per cent of GTI units processed their rubber in to ribbed smoked sheets and 8 per cent units of RRII 105 sold their latex as field latex . Cup lumps and tree lace from all the units were disposed as raw. From the survey and the field experience obtained otherwise it is concluded that generally the growers are not giving much importance to scientific methods of cultural operations and exploitation. Majority of the growers being small growers who lack awareness and suffer from financial constraints want to extract the crop, process it and sell in the market . At the same time , in the market also quality consciousness is not seen. In order to enlight the growers about the need for the adoption of scientific methods of exploitation system, proceessing methods and to improve the quality of sheet rubber it is essentional to reorient and strengthen the extension work so as to effectively transfer the modern technologies to the progressive farmers.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Impact of rubber plantation insurance scheme in traditional rubber growing tracts of Kerala
    (Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1996) Mohamed Abdul Kader, S S; KAU; Nybe, E V
    The study on the ‘Impact of rubber plantation insurance scheme in the traditional rubber growing tracts of Kerala’ has revealed that the scheme, being a recently introduced subject, has not gained much popularity. The ongoing scheme had covered only seven per cent of the total rubber area in the State, for the period upto 1994. Out of this, the percentage share of immature area is 22 and mature area a meagre two per cent. It was also observed that the scheme is highly solvent and profitable from the angle of the insurance company, in that the company had paid as compensation only 27 per cent of total premium amount collected. Thus the insurance company was left with a surplus of 73 per cent of the total premium collected, excluding the possible interest accrued on the same periodically. It was found that in mature as well as immature plantations, the major causes of damage was wind/storm. Damages due to agencies like fire, flood, lightning and drought were very minimal. The limitations of the scheme were found to be less coverage, the arbitrary franchise limit, lack of provision for payment of compensation for loss of prospective yield and lack of no claim bonus. Considering the solvency there is scope for further reduction of premium, including perils like drought permanently, considering for yield loss due to diseases etc. One of the reasons for low insuring in mature area is because of lack of any promotional effort by insurance companies. The field survey was extended to 50 insured units only in the Thrissur district out of 1398 units insured. Moreover, the rubber holdings insured in traditional rubber growing tracts of Kerala are spread over to 30235 units in 14 districts. To have an indepth analysis on the impact of the scheme, further studies covering the entire tract is necessary. Highlights of the study The scheme, even after seven years of its launching, had benefited only a small percentage of growers in the traditional rubber growing tracts of Kerala. More awareness campaign among small and marginal farmers, especially who own mature uninsured rubber areas, will be of much use. Insurance cover provided for different perils other than wind/storm, fire, lightning and land side reflects academic coverage only. The insurer is financially benefited by the scheme as the situation stands now. The stand per hectare now in vogue requires upward revision atleast in the immature phase. Considering the solvency there is scope for further reduction of premium.