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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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  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    Pathology of gastro-intestinal discorders in piglets
    (Centre of Excellence in Pathology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2003) Smitha, S; KAU; Divakaran Nair, N
    The present study was undertaken to assess the prevalence and pathological disorders of the gastro-intestinal system of piglets. The results of the present investigation and evaluation of the data from the records revealed a high incidence of gastro-intestinal disorders to the level of eighty eight per cent. A detailed systematic examination of fifty piglet carcasses brought for autopsy during the period of investigation was conducted and the gross and histopathological lesions were studied in detail and were classified based on age and sex. Higher incidence of gastro-intestinal lesions was recorded in piglets aged 10-20 days and their possible causes are described. Vascular and degenerative changes were the predominant lesions, followed by inflammation. Among the inflammatory changes, catarrhal gastro-enteritis was the most prevalent lesions observed. Escherichia coli and Klebsiella were isolated from such cases and are suspected as the possible pathogenesis has been described. Viral etiology was also suspected in certain cases as the infiltrating cells appeared predominantly Iymphocytes. Besides these ulcers were recorded in the stomach and the intestinal tract. Salmonella cholerae suis was isolated from the intestinal ulcers. Bacterial isolations were obtained in the intestine, liver, heart blood and sow's milk. A total of 17 bacterial isolations were obtained from 11 animals. Their role in the causation of gastro-intestinal disorders have been explained. Coincident with various gastro-intestinal disorders, liver of 30 cases and mesenteric lymph nodes of 28 cases revealed variety of vascular, degenerative and inflammatory lesions. In one case 'with suppurative hepatitis, Salmonella cholerae suis was isolated. The variable degrees of lymphoid depletion, degeneration and necrosis of lymphoid follicles of mesenteric lymph nodes and the Iymphocytes of Peyer's patches indicated immunosuppression. The vascular and degenerative lesions, without any evidence for infections etiology observed in the gastro-intestinal tract and liver suggested the involvement of some toxic factors. Further the higher incidence of the disorders in the young ones, the isolation mostly of the resident flora of the intestinal tract and the lymph node changes indicated the necessity for an in depth study on the role of factors like immune status of the animals and eo-pathogens in the causation of gastro- intestinal disorders in piglings,