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Professor(Dr) Francis Xavier retired from service

 

 

Dr Francis Xavier, Professor Farms KVASU, retired from KVASU service on January 16, 2015. He had joined Kerala Agricultural University in 1978 and has completed 38 years of service. Dr Xavier has worked in all out stations of the University as Head of Station at different periods.    Dr Francis Xavier is the progenitor of the famous rural technology model “Thumburmuzhy Composting” which is lauded by the Climate Change community of UNDP as the best rural technology for India. This composting has been taken up by Dr Thomas Issac former Finance Minister Kerala to develop a model for municipality and town waste management. The model has been imbibed by the capital city Trivandrum in its waste management mission for the corporation. This model has also been taken up by the farming community of the state. Nepal has recently started the waste management model using this technology.This green technology was also a part of Amala Bharatham programme.

·      The Gene  sanctuary of fodder crops established at Thumburmuzhy Research station was instrumental in propagating a new fodder naturally selected .Thumburmuzhy fodder has 17 percent protein in it and is grown by many Dairy farmers all over the state.

·      School of Bioenergy Studies and Farm Waste  Management started by KVASU  has to its credit  major alternate energy contributions and Dr Xavier was the Implementing Officer of this  School of KVASU from its inception.·      The Bio diesel plant at Pookot campus has  technology to convert animal waste- especially poultry waste-into Bio diesel.·      Farms  of the university have started to generate power from bio gas and is one of the best alternate energy technology. Farmers and Government agencies implement this economic green technology to meet power needs of farms.

Initiation ventures:

·      The first Riding School under the Equine unit was started by Dr Francis Xavier in 1979.

·      The first Earn while you Learn-pork  programme was also started in  LPM department in 1978 and it paved way to the idea all over the Institutions under KAU

·      First satellite farm model was launched attracting youth into dairy farming.

·      Started social media platform for the farming community and it paved way to similar agricultural groups

·      Police Dog unit training was started in Kerala police Academy with inputs.

·      Dr Francis Xavier is a nominated member in IUCN (World Conservation Union accredited by UN)Switzerland and Species Survival Commission for the last several terms. He was also a member of Transparency International Sri Lanka. Served in CPCSEA under Animal welfare Board Govt of India and also a nominated P.I.  in Biodiversity Board of the state.

Family:Wife: Dr Mary Francis, HOD , Vimala College, Thrissur

Sons:Felix Francis, Researcher, Bio informatics, University of Delaware ,USA, Dr Tony Francis Assistant Professor, MM Medical  college ,Malaysia.

Daughter in law:Pratha Felix ,Researcher, George Town University ,Washington DC, USA