Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (KVASU), Thiruvananthapuram

Kerala, which forms 1.13 percent geographic area of the country, has many peculiarities. When the area of cultivable land gets reduced, there is increased potential for livestock products in the state. Increase in population density, high land pressure, varying climatic conditions, increase in cost of production and reduced availability of land for fodder cultivation are some of the major issues affecting this sector. Even with these adverse conditions, Kerala could achieve spectacular growth in livestock production. The state has complete network of veterinary institutions at the Grama panchayat level and has more than 90 percent crossbred cattle. During the last four decades, Kerala could achieve quantum jump in milk production. Livestock rearing is gradually shifting from subsidiary to main occupation in rural areas. Since women involvement is more than 80 percent, more number of women self help groups are actively involved in livestock farming in the state. There is sunrise potential for education and research in veterinary and animal sciences. Taking in to account the growing importance of this sector, Government of Kerala has established Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University to give emphasis to education, research and development in the livestock sector. The newly formed Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (KVASU) is located in the scenic hilly terrain of Pookot in Wayanad district, Kerala, India. KVASU has three constituent colleges which include: College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, Thrissur, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Pookot, Wayanad and College of Dairy Science and Technology, Mannuthy. Moreover the university has research stations at Thumbermuzhi, Thiruvazhamkunnu and Mannuthy. Since this is a newly established university, improvement of infrastructure facilities is of paramount importance. Infrastructure facilities in the areas of education, research, extension, capacity building, IT connectivity, distance learning, Clinical services, diagnostic facilities, zoonoses, animal nutrition, biotechnology, ethnoveterinary medicine, pathobiology, dairy technology and in other related sectors are most essential and are directly linked to rural development. The University is presently enhancing the available infrastructural facilities: * To cater to the needs of the emerging University to international level; * To function as tropical referral and training center in the area of tropical Animal production and Veterinary medicine; * To offer multidisciplinary courses in the area of Veterinary and Animal Sciences including Wild Life Science and improving the employment opportunities in the sector and out of the country; * To strengthen the bond between the scientists and the farmers by speedy technology transfer which will trigger the overall rural development of the region and give a boost to the country’s target for achieving the millennium development goals within a short span of time.