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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: Sheena Joseph, KAU × End date: 2014 × Thesis Type: M.Sc ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Effect of urea as source of rumen degradable preotein on milk production of crossbred cows in early lactation
    (Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences,Mannuthy, 2005) Sheena Joseph, KAU; Ally, K
    A study was conducted with crossbred cows to assess the effect of urea as a source of rumen degradable protein on the milk production in early lactation. Eight crossbred cows within 20 days of lactation were selected as uniformly as possible with regard to their age, parity, weight and milk yield. They were allotted to the four dietary treatments in a switch over design. The four concentrate mixtures contained 16.93, 17.37, 19.92 and 19.92 per cent crude protein (CP) and 70.60, 69.24, 70.26 and 68.98 per cent TDN, respectively. The levels of rumen undegradable protein (UDP) and rumen degradable protein (RDP) in the four concentrate mixtures were 28, 39.15, 26.46 and 40 per cent of CP as UDP and 72, 61.85, 73.54 and 60 per cent of CP as RDP, respectively, on DM basis. There was no significant effect (P>0.05) of dietary CP or UDP levels on the body weight, dry matter intake and milk production of animals. The inclusion of urea at different CP or UDP levels did not show any marked influence on the production performance of the animals. There was no significant difference in any of milk composition parameters except MUN which was significantly higher (P<0.05) with 20 per cent concentrate mixtures compared to17 per cent concentrate mixtures at both levels of degradability. The haematological and biochemical parameters such as haemoglobin, plasma glucose, plasma urea nitrogen, plasma creatinine, plasma calcium, plasma phosphorus, plasma total protein and albumin estimated at the end of each feeding period were not significantly affected (P>0.05) by the four dietary treatments. There was no significant effect (P>0.05) of four dietary combinations on rumen fermentation parameters such as rumen pH, total volatile fatty acids and (TVFA) and rumen ammonia nitrogen (NH3–N) concentration. The cost of production per kg milk produced was Rs.7.25, 8.10, 8.05 and 9.09, respectively, for the four dietary treatments. From the overall results obtained in the present study, it could be concluded that a 17 per cent CP concentrate mixture with 28 per cent UDP was sufficient for meeting the protein requirement of early lactating crossbred cows producing about 10 kg milk per day. The study also revealed that one per cent urea can be added in the concentrate mixture of early lactating cows as a source of RDP without any deleterious effect.