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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: Athira Prasad Ɨ End date: 2018 Ɨ Start date: 2018 Ɨ
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Investigation on design parameters for the development of a pineapple harvester
    (Department of Farm Machinery and Power Engineering Kelappaji College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Tavanur, 2018) Athira Prasad; KAU; Shivaji, K P
    The pineapple (Ananas comosus) is a tropical fruit with significant economical importance. The mechanisation in the field of pineapple harvesting has become inevitable. Basic information on its cultivation practices and physical and mechanical properties is essential for the design and development of suitable machinery. Cutting energy and cutting force requirement are some of the vital information in the design aspects of mechanical harvester. As brush cutters have bcome very common machinerry used by farmers and different attachments on brush cutter suitable for harvesting paddy, sugarcane and pineapple have already been developed and are used. Hence this study is focused on investigation on desigh parameters for the development of a pineapple harvesting attachment to brush cutter and evaluation of different designs of fruit holders. The curring energy requirement was determined using an impact test rig apparatus. The maximum cutting force was then calculated from the cutting energy. For the mechanical harvesting of pineapple, three fruit holders were designed and fabricated. The holder-A supports the fruit and the distance between the cutting edge and holder is fixed. Holder-1 supports the fruit and it can move with respect to the cutting edge. Holder -2 can grip the fruit but the distance and between the cutting edge and holder is fixed. Holder-3 can grip the fruit and it can move with respect to the cutting edge. The field tests of the holders were then conducted to evaluate their performance in comparison with the existing fruit holder. The average height of a pineapple plant was obtained as 94.57 cm with a standard deviation of 20.62 cm. The average number of leaves was obtainded as 47 with a standard deviation 13.2. The average height of fruit from ground and angle of inclination was observed as 33.2 cm and 38.2 respectively. The eaverage diameter of stem was 26.69 mm with a standard deviation of 8.57 mm. The maxixmum cutting energy and force of pineapple stem was obtained as 18.10 J and 842.70 N respevtively, during the first harvest. In case of pineapple leaves, older leaves require maximum cutting energy of 9.60 J. The field evaluation of fruit holders was conducted and it ws found that the holder-1 with 150 mm diameter blade requires minimum time for harvesting, 132 fruits/h, minimum damages of leaves, 5 nos. and more comfortable in handlilng and operating.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Climate change and population connectivity of Lakshadweep atolls
    (Academy of Climate Change Education and Research, Vellanikkara, 2018) Athira Prasad; KAU; Sreenath, K R
    Lakshadweep is the only atoll type reefs in the territory of India. Since Indian Ocean is the warmest among tropical oceans, Indian corals reefs are vulnerable to the impact of climate change. Coral connectivity helps in maintaining the resilience capacity of sensitive coral reefs. However, shifts in global temperature will strongly influence the period of larval duration and hence the connectivity between the reefs. This study utilised the Mann Kendall trend analysis and Empirical Orthogonal Formula to study the trend of sea surface temperature and salinity over the region. Current study revealed a warming trend of sea surface temperature of Lakshadweep waters. Empirical orthogonal function indicates opposite temperature and salinity modes in the Indian Ocean region which encompasses the Lakshadweep waters. Spatio temporal dipoles identified are surmised to be due to the influence of global climatic phenomenon like El NiƱo and Indian Ocean Dipole. The study also tries to understand the relationship between larval connectivity and climate. Our findings implies that climate change has a significant influence on larvae and in turn affecting the journey to their corresponding settlement reef. Resilient reefs act as the source for seeding the bleached or destroyed reefs by larval dispersal. Knowledge on the changes of larval connectivity between the reefs can help in taking important decisions during the interpretation and implementation of resilience based management tools in a coral reef. Identifying the pattern of settlement and population connectivity supports in making new Marine Protected areas.