Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur

Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) is a state university for agricultural education situated in Vellanikkara, Kerala, India, and is recognised as a State Agricultural University by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). It was established on 24 February 1971 under Act 33 of 1971, following the recommendation of the Kothari Commission (1964-1966) that each state establish an agricultural university, and began functioning on 1 February 1972. Under the KAU Act, the College of Agriculture, Vellayani and the College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, along with 21 agricultural and animal husbandry research stations, were brought under the university. In 2011, KAU was trifurcated into three universities: Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (KVASU), Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS), and Kerala Agricultural University (KAU). The university offers degrees through faculties of Agriculture, Forestry, and Agricultural Engineering & Technology, covering fields such as agriculture, biotechnology, horticulture, food science, forestry, and agricultural engineering. It operates numerous colleges, research stations, and training and extension centres across Kerala. Notable alumni include Jacob Thomas, former DGP of Kerala State, and Dr. Shobha Sivasankar, an Indian geneticist at IAEA & FAO.