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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: Jose, Abraham × End date: 1989 × Thesis Type: M.Tech ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Evaluation of the characteristics of petti and para (axial flow pump)
    (Department of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering, Kelappaji College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Tavanur, 1988) Jose, Abraham; KAU; John Thomas, K
    ‘Petti and Para’ is the most popular pumping equipment used in Kuttanad and Kole lands of Kerala for dewatering agricultural fields. It is a local adaptation of the class of pumps called axial flow or propeller pumps. It is fabricated by local blacksmith using their practical experience and is very popular in low head high discharge requirements especially for drainage purposes. The project was undertaken to evaluate scientifically the ‘Petti and Para’ and to suggest improvement to its design. Field survey had been conducted to study the general characteristics of the existing ‘Petti and Para’ and the energy requirements for punja and additional crop. Field pumping tests were conducted on 15 hp and 20 hp ‘Petti and Para’ using standard methods, to evaluate its characteristics. A small propeller pump was developed talking into consideration the specific requirements of Kuttanad, so that the results could be utilised in bigger units through the principles of similitude. The pump was designed as a high specific speed unit (280 rpm) operating at high rotational speed (1900 rpm), so that its physical dimensions were small. The field survey showed that ‘Petti and Para’ are operating at low speed of 300 rpm. The most common type of ‘Petti and Para’ in use are 10 hp, 15 hp, 20 hp, 30 hp and 50 hp units. A 10 hp unit has an impeller diameter of 44 cm and 50 hp unit has an impeller diameter of 79 cm. The average energy consumption for dewatering during punja crop was 309.8 kwh per hectare and that for additional crop was 444.5 kwh/ha. The efficiency of a 15 hp ‘Petti and Para’ having an impeller diameter 52 cm was about 20%. It could pump water at a rate of 217.75 to 143.60 1/s against a total head of 65 cm to 100 cm. A perfectly maintained 20 hp ‘Petti and Para’ could pump water at a rate of 369.5 to 281.2 1/s under total head of 73.2 to 132.01 cm. The efficiency of the unit varied between 21.47 to 25.96 %. The newly developed propeller pump having an impeller diameter of 145 mm was tested at constant static head of 120 cm. It could pump water at a rate 39.64 to 13.34 1/s against a total head of 183.1 to 283.02 cm. The efficiency of the unit varied between 23.72 to 9.6 Input power varied between 4.076 to 5.21 hp, while utilising a 10 hp induction motor as power unit. Due to lack of time this work is inconclusive. Further elaborate studies are necessary for making specific recommendation for the improvement in the efficiency of ‘Petti and Para’.