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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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2003 - 20106
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Author: KAU × End date: 2010 × Start date: 2003 × Thesis Type: M.V.Sc ×
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Now showing 1 - 6 of 6
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Agricultural financing through kisan credit card scheme in Thrissur district
    (Department of Rural Banking and Finance Management,College of Co Operation Banking and Management, Vellanikkara, 2005) Ronia C, Antony; KAU; George, K M
    The study on ‘The Agricultural Financing through Kisan Credit Card Scheme in Thrissur district’ was undertaken with the following objectives. 1. To examine the procedural differences among various lending institutions in implementing the scheme of Kisan Credit Card. 2. To study the farmers’ behaviour towards the Kisan Credit Card Scheme. The study was conducted among three banks of Thrissur district viz., Canara bank, Federal bank and TDCB. The banks were having issued highest number of Kisan Credit cards in the year 2000-01. Branches of these banks were selected from highest amount of crop lending block i.e. Ollukkara block. A sample group of 50 card holders from each banks were selected for survey. Secondary data on procedural formalities of the banks were also used for the study. Statistical tools like percentages, averages, satisfaction index, priority index and bi-variate and multi-variate tables were used for analysis. The analysis on the first objective revealed that there are both similarities and dissimilarities in their formalities. In launching of Kisan Credit Card Scheme, objective, eligibility criteria of farmers, credit limit fixation, security and margin requirement, interest rate, repayment period, issue of cheque books and levying service charges could see many procedural differences among the banks. But in documentation, issue of cards, maintenance of accounts, monitoring mechanism and replacement of lost cards, their formalities are more or less similar. The study revealed that major reasons for selecting the branches were proximity to their residence followed by quality of their service. It was further observed that almost all the respondents agreed that expansion of their agricultural operations and to meet their working capital requirement were the major purpose of joining the scheme. The study again revealed that majority of card holders were the bank’s existing borrowers. Here the banks were inefficient to cater more number of farmers under the scheme. In case of credit utilization pattern of card holders, majority were sanctioned their credit limit above 90 percent of their applied amount. Almost all the farmers were utilizing about full amount of the credit. It was found that most of the farmers have repaid their credit within the time limit. Among the sample banks, TDCB showed comparatively better performance in the repayment. Only a small number of respondents were defaulting their repayment, mainly because of price fall and loan diversion. The study revealed that majority of farmers utilised below Rs. 25000 for agricultural purpose, because the dominance of small and marginal farmers in the scheme. A close observation of the scheme reveals that the respondents are satisfied with the performance of the scheme. The study emphasized that steps should be taken to provide proper extension service to farmers inorder to improve their productivity. The study again suggested that financing under the scheme in a compact area will be more effective than present unplanned scattered lending.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Quality assessment of misty dahi prepared from filled milk
    (Department of Dairy Science, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2003) Magna Thomas; KAU; Mukundan M
    A trial was conducted to assess the suitability of incorporating coconut fat as coconut cream in misty dahi at various levels and the properties of the product were studied. The physico-chemical properties such as titrable acidity, pH , total solids, setting time, protein, curd tension etc. and organoleptic properties of the treatments were studied. No significant difference was noticed in pH, total solids and fat between the control and treatment misty dahi. The values for titrable acidity, setting time, protein and curd tension registered a significant difference (Pcontrol and treatments and showed an increasing trend with increasing level of fat replacement. Organoleptic quality of the product revealed significant (Pin body and texture and product acidity between control and treatments. The total scores of the sensory evaluation of product showed a significant (P<0.05) difference between control and 50 per cent fat replacement whereas the 100 per cent fat replaced samples were comparable with control. The results of the experiment revealed that coconut fat can be replaced upto 100 per cent level in the misty dahi preparation with an advantage of increased protein and curd tension. The 100 per cent replacement level was comparable to control than 50 per cent replacement level as far as the total organoleptic scores are concerned. The product was nutritious and economically cheaper also.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Organisational behaviour of farm workers as antecedent to the performance of pigs in organized farms
    (Department of Extension, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2003) Uma, V; KAU; Jiji, R S
    The objective of the investigation was to study the relationship between organizational behaviour factors of farm workers and production performance parameters of pigs. The nine organized pig farms; seven under Kerala Animal Husbandry Department and the farms of Kerala Livestock Development Board and Kerala Agricultural University were the locale of the study. A total of 61 farm workers who actually involved with the animals on a daily basis and having a working experience of at least six months were the respondents. The data regarding the organizational behaviour factors viz. attitude towards the job, knowledge of pig keeping, skill in pig keeping and job satisfaction were collected from the respondents using structured interview schedule. Job performance and absenteeism were assessed through supervisory rating. The data on production parameters were collected from farm records. About two-third of the respondents were in the medium category for all the organizational behaviour factors. The respondents were satisfied the most with the job aspect 'opportunity for team work' and dissatisfied the most with 'scope to prove merit and excellence'. Intercorrelations of organizational behaviour factors were worked out using Kendall's tau-b rank order correlation. Significant positive correlations were observed between knowledge and skill; astitude and job satisfaction; knowledge and job satisfaction; knowledge and job performance and skill and job performance. Absenteeism had significant negative correlations with both job satisfaction and job performance. The relationship of organizational behaviour factors with production parameters was worked out using Spearman's rank order correlation. A significant negative correlation was found between attitude towards job and stillbirth per litter. Farm workers' knowledge and skill had significant negative correlations with preweaning mortality. Skill had significant positive correlation with conception rate. Job satisfaction had significant negative correlations with weaning weight and weight gain of piglets. Absenteeism had significant positive correlations with preweaning mortality and mortality.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Utilisation of dried cuttle fish (sepia officialis) waste silage in japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) layer ration
    (College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2005) Lekshmy, M A; KAU; Jalaludeen, A
    An experiment was conducted in Japanese quail layers from six to 26 weeks of age by replacing unsalted dried fish with cuttle fish waste silage on crude protein basis. The objective was to assess the production performance as well as the economics of feed cost over production. Two hundred and forty Japanese quail pullets of six weeks age were divided randomly into twelve groups of 20 birds each. They were randomly allotted into three treatment groups, T1, T2 and T3 and maintained on isonitrogenous and isocaloric diet. The unsalted dried fish content in the control ration (T1) was replaced by cuttle fish waste silage at 50 and 100 per cent levels in T2 and T3, respectively. The initial and final body weight were recorded. Data collection was done for five periods of twenty eight days each from seven to twenty six weeks. At the end of the trial pooled yolk samples and two liver samples from each replicate were analysed for fatty acid profile. The initial and final body weight and the body weight gain during experimental period for different dietary treatments did not differ significantly. The birds belonged to group T2 attained sexual maturity first followed by the control group T1. There was a slight delay for group T3 in attaining sexual maturity (P<0.01). The age at 10 and 50 per cent production did not differ significantly between treatments. The period wise mean daily feed consumption was lower in T3 than T1 and T2 (P<0.01). The mean feed intake was highest in T1 followed by T2 and T3 and the treatments differed significantly (P<0.05). The cumulative feed conversion efficiency was superior inT1 and T2 (P<0.01) than T3. The cumulative hen housed and hen day egg number of T1 and T2 were significantly higher (p<0.01) than T3. Though the per cent hen housed and hen day egg production of birds in treatments T1 and T2 were significantly higher in all the periods, the overall mean values did not show any significant difference. The egg quality traits recorded viz., shape index, albumen index, yolk index, internal quality unit and shell thickness did not differ significantly between treatments in any of the periods (P>0.05). The oleic acid content of quail liver was significantly higher in T3 than T1 but no significant difference was noticed among the egg yolk fatty acids. The cost of feed per egg was lowest in T2 followed by T1 and T3. Overall evaluation of the study reveals that the cuttle fish waste silage could be used economically to replace 50 per cent of crude protein from unsalted dried fish on protein basis in Japanese quail layer rations, without any adverse effect on growth, production and egg quality and feed cost.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Hypoglycaemic effect of fruits of musa AAA (chenkadali) on diabetic rats
    (Department of Veterinary Biochemistry, COVAS, Mannuthy, 2009) Smitha, Kaimal; KAU; Sisiliama, George
    The present study was conducted to evaluate the hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of ethanol extract of mature green fruits of Musa AAA (Chenkadali) in alloxan diabetic rats. The effects were also compared with a reference antidiabetic drug, glibenclamide. Adult female Sprague-dawley rats were used for the experiment. Rats were randomly divided into six groups viz. G1 – normal control, G2 – diabetic control, G3 – normal rats administered with the extract (500 mg/kg), G4 and G5 – diabetic rats administered with the extract (500 and 1000 mg/kg respectively), G6 – diabetic rats administered with glibenclamide (0.5 mg/kg). G2, G4, G5 and G6 were made diabetic by sub-cutaneous injection of alloxan @ 130 mg/kg body weight. Diabetes mellitus was confirmed on the 8th day of alloxan administration (day 0). Blood samples were collected on day –7, 0, 15 and day 30. Blood samples were also collected on day 21 for the estimation of fructosamine. Body weight was recorded at weekly intervals. Animals were euthanized on 31st day of the experiment. Biochemical parameters viz. haemoglobin, serum glucose, triacylglycerol, total cholesterol, fructosamine and ALT activity were estimated. Oxidative damage to liver and pancreas were assessed by estimation of lipid peroxides and reduced glutathione levels in both tissues. Liver glycogen was estimated and weight of liver was noted. Representative samples of liver and pancreas tissues were subjected to histopathological examination. Alloxan administration caused a significant increase in the level of serum glucose, fructosamine, triacylglycerol and cholesterol while a significant decrease was noted in the body weight, weight of liver, haemoglobin and level of liver glycogen. Body weight of diabetic control rats was significantly lesser than all the other groups by 30th day of experiment. Increased level of lipid peroxides, decreased level of GSH and increased activity of serum ALT indicated oxidative injury to the tissues of liver and pancreas. In the diabetic control rats, lesions in the pancreas consisted of scattered necrosis of islet cells, reduction in the cell number, hyalinisation and congestion of acinar capillaries while multifocal diffused haemorrhage, central venous congestion, diffused areas of necrosis and focal coagulation were observed in the liver. Both the doses (500 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg) of the extract were effective in reducing the metabolic derangements and oxidative stress associated with diabetes mellitus. On comparison between the two doses, 500 mg/kg was found to be more effective, especially to increase the level of haemoglobin, reduce blood glucose, serum cholesterol, serum ALT and to alleviate the oxidative stress as evidenced by increasing GSH content and decreasing lipid peroxides in tissues of liver and pancreas. Histopathological examination of pancreas and liver of treated groups showed almost normalized histological architecture. The effect of the extract (500 mg/kg) on parameters viz. body weight, triglycerides, ALT, liver lipid peroxides and liver reduced glutathione were comparable to that of glibenclamide whereas, haemoglobin, blood glucose, liver glycogen and GSH and lipid peroxides in pancreas showed better effect than glibenclamide.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Hepato-renal pathology with special reference to aflatoxicosis in chicken(Gallus domesticus)
    (College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2010) Daly C, Davis; KAU; Mammen J, Abraham
    The present study was undertaken to study the pathology of liver and kidney in chicken under various disease conditions and to find whether aflatoxin residues were present in the liver and kidney of chicken during natural cases of aflatoxicosis. A total of 200 liver and kidney samples having lesions were collected during the period of study after detailed systematic examination of chicken brought for autopsy to the Centre of Excellence in Pathology. Aflatoxin residues in the liver and kidney were determined by Modified Pons method using Thin layer chromatography (TLC) from cases suspected for aflatoxicosis. The conditions associated with hepatic lesions were divided into bacterial diseases, viral diseases, protozoan diseases, nutrititional and metabolic diseases, aflatoxicosis , hepatic congestion and non-specific hepatosis and hepatitis. Among bacterial diseases, colibacillosis accounted for 16 percent, pasteurellosis 5.5 percent and staphylococcosis 0.5 percent. Viral disease, namely Marek’s disease accounted for 21.5 percent. Protozoan disease, histomoniasis accounted for one percent. Nutritional and metabolic diseases namely fatty liver syndrome accounted for 20.5 percent, gout (nine percent) and ascites syndrome (6.5 percent). Aflatoxicosis accounted for two percent, hepatic congestion (11 percent) and non-specific hepatosis and hepatitis (6.5 percent). The percentage incidence of various conditions associated with renal lesions included IBD 38.5 percent, Marek’s disease 21.5 percent, nephroblastoma 0.5 percent , gout nine percent, fatty liver kidney syndrome 3.5 percent, aflatoxicosis 2 percent, vascular disturbances 17 percent and non specific nephrosis and nephritis 8 percent. Aflatoxin residues from the tissues were detected only in two cases, which had aflatoxin contamination in the feed at the rate of 2 and 2.5 ppm.