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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: KAU × Author: Priya, P × End date: 2016 × Start date: 2010 × Type: Thesis ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Assessment of nutritional status and life style diseases among different income groups
    (Department of Home Science, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2016) Priya, P; KAU; Rari, John K
    The study entitled “Assessment of nutritional status and lifestyle diseases among different income groups” was carried out at the Department of Home Science, College of Agriculture, Vellayani during the period, 2014-2016. The main objective of the study was to assess food habits, nutritional status and life style diseases among different income groups and impart counselling for a healthy life. Ninety employees (male and female) 30 members in high income group (HIG), 30 members in middle income group (MIG) and 30 members in low income group (LIG) belonging to the age group of 30 to 45 years was selected randomly. The classification of respondents in to different income groups was done according to NSSO report, 2007-2008. Evaluations of the socio-economic characters of the respondents found that majority of the respondents in all groups were females. They were mostly Hindus and majority of them were married. Educational status revealed that43% of LIG respondents were studied up to high school, 40 % of MIG were PGs and 50 % of HIG got Doctorate degree. On evaluating the food habits of the respondents it was found that majority of the respondents in all the three groups were non vegetarian, majority of the respondents(57 % of LIG, 50% of MIG and 77% of HIG) had regularity in their meal timings. Whereas 57% of LIG, 54% of MIG and 27% of HIG respondents had a habit of meal skipping. Thirteen per cent of both LIG as well as MIG and 16% of HIG respondents regularly consumed food from outside. On considering the meal patterns majority of the respondents had cereal, pulse and vegetable combination for their breakfast, lunch and dinner with the inclusion of non vegetarian foods like egg and fish. The food consumption pattern indicates that consumption of fast food was very low. The nutrient intake study revealed that among the three groups energy, protein and calcium intake was below Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA). The weight for height values showed that majority of the male and female respondents were having a value higher than the standard value. In the case of BMI also it was found that only 3% of males, and 27% female in LIG, 17% of males and 37% female in MIG and 7% of males and 30% of female respondents in HIG had normal values. The WHR of the respondents also indicated higher values than normal. The clinical status of the respondents revealed that symptoms of malnutrition in hair, skin and tongue were observed; thyroid gland enlargement and anaemia were observed. The biochemical assessment conducted by a clinical expert revealed that majority of the respondents in all groups of males (7%, 13%, 10% for LIG, MIG & HIG respectively) were having mild anaemia. Were in the case of females majority of the respondents (40%, 47%, and 30%) were observed in normal level. The blood sugar level of the respondents revealed that (83%) of the respondents in LIG & MIG and 90% of the respondents in HIG were having the normal blood sugar level. Lipid levels also showed similar trends. With regarding the blood pressure values 63 per cent of LIG, 57 per cent of MIG and 60 per cent of the HIG respondents had a normal value. When the health and morbidity pattern of the respondents were assessed, it was found that majority of the respondents in LIG (56%) were not having the habit of exercise and 50% of the respondents in both MIG and HIG were exercising irregularly. The stress pattern of the respondents revealed that majority of the respondents in LIG (27%) were experienced stress due to financial problems, in the case of MIG respondents majority of them expressed the reason for stress as both financial and family problems (20%). In the case of HIG the major reason for the stress was due to occupational problems. The sleeping pattern revealed that majority of the respondents in all groups were having an adequate amount of sleep and there was no relation between stress and sleeping pattern. The lifestyle habits of the respondents like alcoholism, smoking and pan chewing was also assessed and it was found that majority of them did not have these habits in their day today life. The morbidity pattern of the respondents indicates that majority of the respondents had occupational health problems like joint pain, back pain, muscle pain and head ache. The energy intake and energy expenditure of the respondents were assessed and it was found that although energy intake was less from the standards, energy deficit was not observed because the energy expenditure was less than the energy intake and due to the same reason the prevalence of obesity among the respondents was found to be high. An education class on the occurrence, prevalence and importance of lifestyle diseases was conducted for the respondents for a healthy life. A counselling class regarding healthy life was also imparted to the respondents. It was found that the knowledge of the respondents about lifestyle diseases had improved significantly after the conduct of the class. Hence, it can be concluded that although the prevalence of lifestyle diseases among the respondents was not obvious, the chances for their occurrence is very high, because of the hidden risk factors like grade I obesity, hyperlipidimia, prehypertension, hereditary factors and stress related lifestyle problems.