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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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20211
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Subject: Wildlife Management × Author: KAU × Author: Neha, Tamhankar × Start date: 2016 × Thesis Type: M.Sc ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Economic valuation of ecosystem services: A case study of kole wetlands, Ramsar site
    (Department of wildlife sciences, College of Forestry,Vellanikkara, 2021) Neha, Tamhankar; KAU; Nameer, P O
    Wetlands are one of the most productive ecosystems on the planet, equivalent to tropical evergreen forests, and they play an important role in ecological sustainability. The quality and extent of these wetlands are rapidly deteriorating. The purpose of our study, was to determine the services offered by the wetland as regarded by stakeholders and to quantify the economic value for various ecosystem services. It was held in one of most important wetland systems in Kerala, the Kole wetlands, which has been designated as a Ramsar site. The data used in this study was collected from both primary and secondary sources. Primary data respondents were chosen using a multistage random sampling method (200 samples), and data was collected using a personal interview method with a pretested organised schedule. The obtained data was analysed by using market value approach, travel cost method, replacement cost method, benefit transfer method, and contingent valuation method. The farmers involved in paddy farming, fishing activities, lotus farming, and those leasing land for duck rearing are the stakeholders relying on the Kole wetlands. Another key economic activity in the Kole wetlands is tourism, accounting additional income to the farmers. Flood storage, groundwater recharge, and carbon sequestration are some of the additional indirect benefits. The relevance of wetland ecosystem services was recognised by the respondents. Crop raiding by birds, pollution, floods, and poor wetland management are important issues that the farmers have facing at Kole wetlands. The Total Economic Value (TEV) of the system is composed of direct use value, indirect use value and non-use value. The level of income generated by wetland-related activities was used to calculate the direct use value of the wetland. Paddy cultivation worth Rs. 126 crores per year, highlighted as most important service provided by the Kole wetland. It has a direct usage value of Rs. 148 crores and the flood storage function of Rs. 187 crores, whereas the groundwater recharge function is worth Rs. 9.9 crores per annum. It has a non-use value of Rs. 7.3 crores. According to the findings, wetland ecosystem services have an estimated economic worth of Rs. 390 crores per year which highlights its enormous importance. The findings of the study can be used to construct a socially acceptable management strategy for the conservation of long-term viability of Kole wetland.