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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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Author: Anu Raj, D × Author: KAU × End date: 2020 × Start date: 2020 × Rating Count: 5 × Thesis Type: M.Sc ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Modelling climate change impact on surface runoff and sediment yield in a watershed of Shivalik region
    (Academy of Climate Change Education and Research, Vellanikkara, 2020) Anu Raj, D; KAU; Mary Regina, F
    The climate change refers to the seasonal changes over a long duration in relation to the increasing amount of greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere. Global warming leads to a more vigorous hydrological cycle, including higher amount rainfall and more frequent high-intensity rainfall events. The Himalayan region is suffering from a serious problem of soil erosion and rivers flowing through this region transport a massive load of sediment. Climate change has a significant contribution to soil erosion. It leads to loss of nutrient-rich top soil which in turn can affect the nation’s food security. The present study depicts modelling climate change impact on surface runoff and sediment yield in a watershed of Shivalik region of Himachal Pradesh using a process-based Agricultural Policy/ Environmental eXtender(APEX) model. Terrain characteristics were analysed with the aid of Cartosat DEM. Land use/land cover characteristics were extracted from Resourcesat-2 LISS-IV and ground observations. Soil samples were collected from the field were analysed to identify soil physical and chemical properties. Surface runoff and sediment yield data required for model calibration and validation were collected from the gauging station constructed in the field. The future climate scenarios (temperature and rainfall) namely A2 and B2 of the study area were downscaled using statistical downscaling model (SDSM). APEX model parameterization was done as per local conditions. The APEX model was calibrated on a daily basis for 2017 and 2018. For calibration and validation of the model used low to medium rainfall days. The model calibrated quite well for surface runoff (r2 - 0.92) and sediment yield (r2 - 0.88) with RMSE of 4.98 mm and 0.20 t/ ha for surface runoff and sediment yield, respectively. The model was validated well for surface runoff (r2 - 0.81) and sediment yield (r2 - 0.81) with RMSE of 2.6 mm and 0.11 t/ha for surface runoff and sediment yield respectively. The model performance was identified based on Nash- Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE). The model performed quite well for surface runoff and sediment 224 yield of NSE 0.71 and 0.70 respectively. The change in soil loss under A2 and B2 scenarios with respect to baseline period were predicted for the study area to recognize the effect of climate change on soil loss. The general trend in future climate shows there is an increase in rainfall under both A2 and B2 scenario. Under the A2 scenario, rainfall increases marginally higher than B2 scenario. A total of 41.35 per cent increase in rainfall during 2080, 20.14 per cent during 2050, and 27.27 per cent during 2020 were observed. But in B2 scenario due to lower emission, change in rainfall is relatively lower than A2 scenario. It was observed that 24.71 per cent, 29.13 per cent and 35.16 per cent increase during 2020, 2050 and 2080 respectively. Maximum temperature increases 3.7 oC during 2080 under A2, while under B2 scenario the increase is 2.6 oC. Similarly, minimum temperature also rising at 3.6 oC during 2080 under A2 scenario and 2.7 oC under B2 scenario. The increase in temperature under both scenarios is almost similar and a marginal difference was observed. Highest soil loss was estimated from scrub land (38.42 t/ha/yr) followed by agriculture (26.97 t/ha/yr) then open forest (21.69 t/ha/yr) and lowest in the dense forest cover (14.70 t/ha/yr) under baseline period. The average annual soil loss from the watershed is 25.45 t/ha/yr. It was observed that 64.61 per cent of the study area was under moderate (10-20 t/ha/yr) erosion risk class. 24.15 per cent area with severe (20-40 ton ha-1 yr-1) erosion and 11.23 per cent area contribute very severe (>40 ton ha-1 yr-1) erosion. Under A2 scenario the average soil loss during 2020s, 2050s and 2080s may increase 27.71, 21.84 and 46.94 per cent respectively. Similarly under B2 scenario average soil loss may increase 23.24, 30.71 and 38.80 per cent, respectively. The climate change impact on soil erosion under both scenarios suggests that there is an increasing soil erosion due to the increase in rainfall in Shivalik region of Himachal Pradesh. Due to the high intensity of rainfall and steep slopes of the study area the mechanical conservation measures are preferred. The agronomic, mechanical and biological measures can be also used to conserve the soil and water.