College of Horticulture Vellanikkara in Thrissur

The College of Horticulture was established in 1972 with the main objective of starting graduate programme in Horticulture and strengthening research and extension activities in Horticultural crops. B.Sc. (Hort.) degree programme was started with an intake of 20 students during 1972. Post graduate programme was started in six disciplines from 1976 viz., M.Sc. (Hort.), M.Sc. (Ag.) in Agronomy, Agricultural Botany, Soil Science & Agrl. Chemistry, Agrl. Entomology and Plant Pathology. From 1979, Ph.D. programmes in the above disciplines were commenced. Subsequently, M.Sc. programmes were also started in Agrl. Economics, Agrl. Extension, Agrl. Meteorology, Agrl. Statistics and Home Science (Food Science and Nutrition).

Programmes and Departments

Courses Offered

• Bachelor of Science in Agriculture B.Sc.(Ag.)
• Master of Science in Agriculture M.Sc.(Ag.)
• Master of Science in Horticulture ie. M.Sc.(Hort.)
• Master of Science in Agricultural Statistics M.Sc.(Ag. Stat.)
• Master of Home Science (Food Science and Nutrition M.Sc.(FS&N)
• Doctor of Philosophy Ph.D.

Departments

• Agriculture Economics
• Agriculture Engineering
• Agriculture Entomology
• Agriculture Extensions
• Agriculture Meteorology
• Agriculture Statistics
• Agronomy
• Home Science
• Olericulture
• Physical Education
• Plant Breeding and Genetics
• Plant Pathology
• Plantation crops and Spices
• Pomology and Flori-culture
• Processing Technology
• Plant Physiology
• Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry

College of Horticulture Vellanikkara Facilities

• Library
• Educational Technology Cell– The cell caters the needs of the teaching staff and students in the area of academics by the use of modern information technology tools.
• Academic cell UG & PG– A well functioning Academic cell, both for UG and PG students, is functioning in the College. The cell handles all the academic affairs of UG and PG students of the College. The cell functions efficiently by utilizing internally developed computer programmes making error free, speedy and efficient documentation of students’ records.
• Students’ computer centre– A student computer centre has been established at the College of Horticulture under the ICAR Development Grant during the X plan in the year 1980. The centre aims to train all the student members computer literate. It also imparts training to students academic and ministerial staff on various aspects of IT related multimedia programs.
• Technical/ Planning Cell– The Cell aims to coordinate technical formulation, planning and documentation of technical matters of the College including compilation of quarterly, half yearly and annual reports and other reports to be placed before the General Council from time to time.
• Hostel– The hostel Harsha accommodates UG girl students while Haritha accommodates PG girl students. Both are located 200m away from the College. The boys are accommodated in Pamba Men’s Hostel.
• Students Union– Students’ union is the co-coordinating hub of all the co-curricular activities of the students of the College of Horticulture
• RAWE Programme– The Rural Agricultural Work Experience (RAWE) programme is a flagship activity for the final year B.Sc. (Ag.) students during the last semester. Building self-confidence in the agricultural graduates by honing their professional skills is the key objective of introducing RAWE at the under graduate level by ICAR.

Admission Details

Admissions to academic programmes of KAU is through entrance examinations conducted by CEE of the Government of Kerala/ICAR. Master’s students are admitted through the entrance test conducted by the University or from ICAR quota. The doctoral students are admitted considering their academic merit, the quality of thesis work proposed, work experience, publications and personal interview. Apart from students coming to the University from all-over the state, about 15% of the KAU students at any time are from outside the state, including Lakshadweep and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

College of Horticulture Vellanikkara Locations and Development

The College is situated in the main campus of KAU at Vellanikkara in Thrissur District. Located almost in the middle of the State on NH-47 at about 13 km from the Thrissur Railway station and 60 km from the International Airport, Kochi. the College is easily accessible by road, rail and air.