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 - 1 of 1
  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    Training needs of pig famers of Thrissur district
    (Department of Extension, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2003) Anup, R; KAU; Subhadra, M R
    The objective of the study was to identify the profile and training needs of pig farmers of Thrissur district. The study was conducted in five panchayaths having highest pig population. A proportionate random sample of 60 pig farmers was selected for the study. The datawere collected by interview method using a structured schedule. The study revealed that majority of the pig farmers were middle aged, Christians, middle school educated, 1 -5 years experience in pig farming and not undergone any training. They were mainly marginal farmers having less than 1 hectare of land holding and of medium income group. Most of the pig sties were located in the homestead, and hotel or butchery waste feeding was given to the pigs. It was also noted that exotic breeds were reared by them, and pig farmers depended on other farmers for information about pig farming. Most of them had medium risk preference, innovation proneness, marketing orientation 'and high economic motivation. Diseases and prevention was most preferred major subject matter area for training for both the knowledge and skill aspects among the eight studied. This was followed by housing, breeding, feeding, management, integrated farming, marketing and economic of pig farming. Under the eight major domains studied, the minor farm operations preferred by the respondents for training were deworming, vaccination, scientific construction ef cage, exotic breeds, selection of animals for breeding, unconventional feeds for pigs, swill feeding, disposal of excreta and waste materials, mixed farming, marketing and loan for pig farming The pig farmers preferred training through print media and electronic media. For the 'institutional training they preferred training of one day duration. According to them farm visit was the best method of training where as the Veterinary College was the most preferred venue of training.