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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 × Start date: 2011 × Type: Proceedings ×
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    ProceedingsItemOpen Access
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    ProceedingsItemOpen Access
    E-governance in Kerala
    (S & T Department, Government of Kerala, 2013) Veerakumaran, G; Shamily, Lal; Sreelakshmi, P T; KAU; Rajasekharan, Pillai V N
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    ProceedingsItemOpen Access
    Demonetization and its impact on primary agricultural credit societies (PACS) in Kerala
    (Indian Society for Studies in Cooperation, Pune, 2016) Veerakumaran, G; Vinaikumar, E; Shaheena, P; KAU
    Cooperatives in Kerala are well developed and highly democratic in nature. Due to restrictions imposed after demonetization, PA CS were not in a position to lend, mobilize deposits and cany out non-banking businesses. Therefore an attempt was made to pen down the outcome of a seminar held in this respect and a case study. Demonetization has severely affected the ntral economy particularly rural development and agricultural activities supported by the PA CS and other cooperatives as well. Instead of an average transaction o f Rs. 1.5/- crores per week, they were forced to restrict their transactions to Rs. 24000/- per week. Due to the support extended by the government and the think tank o f state cooperative movement, PACS were in a position to manage the shock. Cash sales proceeds in the Consumer store/super markets were used for lending to needy members. DCB cheques were issued to borrowers and depositors. Rigorous confidence building measures such as house to house campaign, awareness programmes, anil meet the depositoi s ].nogi amnns wete carried out. As far as long term strategy is concerned, the participants in the seminar stood against the transformation o f PACS into business correspondents and favoured maintaining the status-quo which means doing both banking and non-banking business. The case study on OUukkara Service Cooperative Bank Limited has proved beyond doubt that the super market sale proceeds has helped the poor small loan borrowers for their livelihood and health care, which was also endorsed by the seminar outcome. The authors are o f the opinion that a high level committee may be appointed by the federal government to study the exponential growth of PACS in Kerala and to identify the uniqueness and deviations from the law if any, and to suggest a suitable legal entity to sustain the laudable banking and non-banking endeavors.