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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: Vimaladevi, S × End date: 2011 ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Studies on drying of fish using a BARC - TYPE solar dryer.
    (Department of Processing Technology,College of Fisheries, Panangad, 2011) Vimaladevi, S; KAU; Sajan, George
    A study was conducted with the aim of evaluating the drying efficiency of a newly designed solar dryer (modified BARC type) in comparison with conventional sun drying. The materials used for drying were beheaded prawn (Metapenaeus dobsoni) and salted fish (Cynoglossus macrostomus). Rate of drying was found to be influenced by the atmospheric temperature and humidity, either using dryer (test or by sun drying (control). In the case of prawn, the drying period was 7h by dryer compared to control which took about 10h whereas in the case of fish it was only 7h compared to control which took about 9h. Various parameters such as moisture content, water activity, TPC, TFC, TVBN content and PV, during drying were monitored. The quality variations in prawn or fish were significantly lower when dried using the solar dryer compared to direct sun drying. Sensory evaluation based on colour, odour, texture and taste, also proved that the solar dried samples were of superior quality compared to control. Sorption isotherm for test and control did not vary much in shape for both prawn and fish. This indicates that the effect of the type of drying on the bound water of the products. For conducting storage studies the dried prawn and dry salted fish, both test and control, were packed in low permeable polypropylene- polyamide bags and stored at room temperature for about 80 days. Quality parameters, viz., moisture content and water activity, TPC, TFC, TVBN content, PV and sensory evaluation based on colour, odour, taste and texture were evaluated during storage. Both test and control samples remained acceptable throughout the storage period. However, the quality of prawn or fish dried in solar dryer was found to be superior compared to their respective sun dried control samples. The additional cost was only Rs 2.40/ kg for dried prawn and Rs 2.00/ kg for dry salted fish. The equipment is recommended for small scale production of dried products.