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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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20171
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Author: Ajaisanker, K × Type: Thesis × Thesis Type: M.Sc ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Cause - consequence analysis of human-wildlife conflict in Wayanad district, Kerala
    (Department of Forest Management and Utilization, College of Forestry, Vellanikkara, 2017) Ajaisanker, K; KAU; Gopakumar, S
    Human-wildlife conflicts is now a paradox for foresters and policy makers across the globe. In Kerala, interaction between humans and wildlife is affecting many lives and livelihoods. The damage caused by these interactions are drastic, it can vary from crop loss in a small area to human deaths. For the people living near the protected areas crop losses and livestock losses due to raiding by wildlife are a serious social and ecological concern as this can create an anti-wildlife lobby in the long run. So, understanding the social dimensions of such conflicts is also important to frame effective mitigation strategies. The study titled “Cause-consequence analysis of human-wildlife conflict in Wayanad district, Kerala” conducted during 2015-2017 tried to discern the nature, frequency, distribution and intensity of human-wildlife conflicts in Wayanad district and to understand the causative factors involved in the conflicts. The study was also intended to suggest suitable mitigatory measures to enhance human-wildlife coexistence in Wayanad district. A total of 120 households were interviewed from four locations in Wayanad namely Meppadi, Odapallam (SulthanBathery), Bhoothanam (Chedleth) and Thirunelli. Detailed interviews using pre-tested questionnaire was conducted and Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) tools like timeline, problem tree and vulnerability mapping was employed at each location for collecting additional information. Crop raiding was found to be the major type of conflict occurring in the district. Over the past years there occurred a shift in the farming practices with banana becoming a popular crop at the expense of the traditional crops. Most of the respondents lived in the close proximity and practiced agriculture and also occasionally integrated livestock in their farms. More palatable crops in the forest fringes along with domestic animals and plentiful water attracted the wildlife to the farmlands. Plantations of teak, eucalyptus etc, together with the invasive alien weed species has smothered the natural vegetation thereby reduced the natural food resources triggering animal migration. Reduced rainfall, droughts and forest fires that the district now increasingly experience has further reduced the availability of resources for the wildlife. These were found to be the major causes leading to conflicts. People were well aware of the forest laws and the attitude of the farmers to wildlife was positive. They believed in coexistence and conservation to be unavoidable for human existence. Enrichment of the habitat and fencing around the farmlands were favoured as the best mitigation measure. People did support the compensation schemes and insurances, provided they were adequate and immediate. The study outlines the possible role of various stakeholders such as farmers, Non- Governmental Organisations, Research institutions, Local self-governmental institutions and governments in improving the conflict mitigation process.