KAU News Vol IV No 1, May 2003

KERALA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY

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National honour to Kerala Agricultural University
The Kerala Agricultural University secured the first position among 34 State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) in India in the All India Examination held in agriculture and allied subjects for the Junior/Senior Research Fellowships, conducted during the year 2002 by the ICAR. This is the second time that the KAU became eligible for the national honour. The trophy for securing the top position among the SAUs was received by Dr.K.V. Peter, Vice Chancellor, from Mr. Ajith Singh, the then Union Minister for Agriculture.

KAU secured 61 Junior Research Fellowships followed by UAS, Bangalore (39) and TNAU (34). The College of Horticulture toped among all the constituent colleges under the SAUs, securing 21 JRFs. During the last year also, KAU secured the first position securing 52 JRFs.

KAU Budget Approved
Shri C.S. Vidyasagar, Member of the Executive Committee of KAU presented the Annual Budget of the University for the year 2003-2004 in the General Council Meeting held on March 29, at the College of Agriculture, Vellayani. The budget anticipated an expenditure of Rs.14627 lakhs against resources of Rs.13278 lakhs leaving a deficit of Rs.1349 lakhs.

Eventhough the subject committee of the State Legislature has made a recommendation to the effect that the other beneficiary departments like the Animal Husbandry, Fisheries, Dairy Development etc. should provide a minimum of 15 per cent of their budget allocation to KAU, the same has not been realized.

Establishment of a Virtual University on Trade in Agriculture, Research on Organic Farming, Research on Integrated Farming Systems, Establishment of a Seed Research Centre at RARS, Pattambi, Establishment of a Mango Research Centre, Post- harvest Handling and Value Addition of Cocoa, Integrated Pest and Disease Management are a few among the 18 new projects to be implemented during this financial year.

During the current year emphasis has been given to complete the already started but incomplete civil works. A provision of 1362 lakhs is made for completion of the infrastructural works at the College of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, Pookode. It is proposed to shift the college from its present campus at Mannuthy to the permanent campus in the hillocks of Pookode, Wayanad during this year itself.

KAU Executive Committee Reconstituted
In pursuance of Section 14 and 15 of KAU Act, as amended, the Executive Committee of KAU was reconstituted with the following members.
Ex-Officio Members
    The Vice-Chancellor
    The Agricultural Production Commissioner
    The Secretary to Government, Department of Finance
Other Members
    ICAR Nominee
        Dr.B.S.Bisht, ADG (HRD-I)
    Dean of Faculty
        Vacant
    One Elected Teacher
        Dr.Kaleel F.M.H
    Non-Official Members
    General
        Shri.C.S.Vidyasagar
        Shri.K.P.Mukundan
        Shri Umesh Challiyil, M.L.A
    SC/ST Reservation
        Shri.A.P.Anilkumar, M.L.A
    Woman Reservation
        Dr.M.K.Sheela.
    The MLA representing the constituency in which the headquarters of the KAU is situated
        Shri.P.P.George, M.L.A.

'Scientists and farmers should work together'
Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, the President of India underscored the need to increase the productivity of plantation crops in India. The President expressed his desire when Dr. K.V. Peter, Vice-Chancellor presented a copy of his book Plantation Crops published by the National Book Trust to the President at the Rashtrapathi Bhavan, New Delhi on January 30, 2003.

The President wrote his remarks :
"Productivity of plantation crops in India is not very high. Scientists and farmers should work together in a mission"

The President was concerned with low purchasing power of villagers leading to a limited access to food and the so called food grain surplus was only a mirage to the poor. Dr. Kalam stressed the need to create rural employment in agricultural sector including animal husbandry, forestry, fisheries and agroforestry. He suggested demonstration of tissue culture plants which are disease and pest free. He hoped that the message on the use of science, particularly biotechnology will spread once shown and convinced by farmers in villages.

Dr. Harbhajan Singh Memorial Award
Dr.Baby Lissy Markose was jointly awarded the Dr.Harbhajan Singh Memorial Award of the Indian Society of Vegetable Science for the year 2001 for the best research paper published in Vegetable Science Vol. 28 (1) 2001 p 51-54. The award was shared by Dr. Baby Lissy Markose, Dr.M.Abdul Vahab. Dr. K.V.Peter and Dr.S.Rajan for the research paper published by them entitled "Radiotracer techniques to trace the infection courts and movement of Ralstonia solanacearum (Smith) Yabuuctu et al. in chilli (Capsicum annuum L).

Animal Husbandry Mela
The Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Ambalavayal in association with the Indian Veterinary Association and Animal Husbandry Dept., Wayanad organized an animal husbandry mela on March 21, 2003 at Kalathuvayal in Ambalavayal Panchayat. A cattle infertility camp, Animal Husbandry Seminar, and cattle show were the programmes arranged on that
day. The mela was inaugurated by Shri Balachandran, President, Ambalavayal Grama Panchayat.

Sub Committees of General Council reconstituted
The Sub Committees of the General Council viz. Statute Committee, Accounts Committee and Assurance Committee were reconstituted. Adv. Vellavoor Sukumaran, Adv. A. Thrivikraman Thampi and Smt. Ambika Ramesh are the Chairmen/Chairperson of the reconstituted committees.

Modified Monsoon Forecast Model
Monsoon during this year may arrive around 8th June over Kerala. The normal onset of monsoon over Kerala is June 1. Instead of 16-parameter model, 8/10-parameter model has been developed by the IMD to forecast monsoon rainfall during this year. As per the model estimates, the monsoon rainfall is 96% of the Long Period Average across India. The same holds good for Kerala also. However, it will be quantified during the mid July, 2003.