Education

There were reputed centres of learning and culture in kozhikode district even in the early and medieval periods. One of the most important of such centres was Kozhikode itself. Under the rule of the enlightened Zamorins, it became famous all over South India as a rendezvous of scholars and men of learning.

The beginning of western education may be traced back to the first half of the19th century, when in 1848 the basal Evangelical Mission started primary school at Kallai. In 1877, a school for the young Rajas was started in Kozhikode. This was later thrown open to all caste Hindu boys. In 1879, it was affiliated to the University of Madras as a second grade college and with this, collegiate education in the district received a fillip.

Secondary education recorded an appreciable progress since 1915. The erstwhile Malabar district, of which the present Kozhikode district formed a part, holds a high rank among the districts of Madras Presidency in secondary education.

According to the 2001 census, total literate and educated persons are placed at 2351548 with the break up as 11,82,906 males and 11,68,906 males and 11,68,642 females.

The seat of the University of Calicut is 23 kms. South of Kozhikode city at Tenhippalam in Malappuaram District. The University of Calicut was established in 1968.

There are 14 Arts and Science Colleges, of which eight colleges are under private management. The colleges are (1) Feroke College, Feroke, (2) St. Joseph’s College, Devagiri, (3) Malabar Christian College, (4) Zamorin’s Guruvayurappan College, (5) providence Women’s College in Kozhikode, (6) Sree Narayan Guru College, Chellannur, (7) Government College, Madappally, (8) Government Arts and Science College, Kozhikode, (9) Muhammed Abdurahiman Memorial College, Mukkam, (10) C.K.G. Memorial Government College, Perambra, (11) R. Sankar Memorial SNDP College Koyilandy, (12) Government College Koyilandy, (13) Government College Kodencherry and (14) Government College, Mokeri.

Of the ten professional colleges in the district one, ie, Feroke Training College, is run by private management. Other professional colleges are the medical college, Chevayur – Kozhikode, Dental College – Kozhikoe, Nursing College – Kozhikode, Regional Engineering college – Chaathamangalam, Government Physical Education College – East Hill, Kozhikode, Government Homeo College – Kozhikode, Government Training College – Kozhikode, Government Law College – Kozhikode and Evening Law College – Kozhikode.

The district has four polytechnics and three Industrial Training Institutes.

Total number of schools in the district is 1239 consisting of 68 Higher Secondary Schools, 5 Teachers Training Institutes, 113 High Schools, 327 Upper Primary Schools and 723 Lower Primary Schools. There are two Central Schools at Kozhikode and one Navodaya School and two Technical Schools at Beypore and Koyilandy and 3 Special Schools.

All villages are amply covered by basic educational institutions.

Water supply

There are two urban water supply schemes and 179 Rural Water Supply Schemes being maintained by the Kerala Water Authority as on 31.12.2001, covering 70 per cent urban population and 40 per cent rural population. The total production capacity of Calicut Water Supply Scheme is 65.25 MLD and the augmentation work, of capacity 18 MLD is in progress. There are 38 numbers of ongoing Rural Water Supply schemes, out of which 25 are nearing completion.

Health

There are 11 Government hospitals, 10 Community Health Centres and 70 Primary Health Centres in this District with a total bed strength of 4747. In addition to this, there is a Government Rural Dispensary at NGO Quarters Kozhikode, a District TB Centre at Calicut, and Two Government Fisheries Dispensaries at Vadakara and Puthiyappa. Family Planning services are available in all the hospitals and health centres. School Health services have covered all the schools in the district. In the field of immunization services, the district has creditable achievements. Not a single case of confirmed Polio has been reported here since 1993. The district will be declared as Polio free shortly (testing).

To take up public awareness programs on health, a Mass Media wing is functioning under the District Medical Officer of Health. There are 205 units of Mahila Swasthya Sangh in this district to promote women’s participation to solve their health problems particularly related to meternal, child health and Family Planning. To promote non governmental sector in Family Welfare Programs, Standing Committee of Voluntary Action Units (SCOVA) are also functioning here.

The District Blindness Control Society is effectively functioning in Kozhikode District. Thousands of cataract Operations and Intra ocular lens implantations were being done. To improve the health status of coastal people, Coastal Health Project was also introduced.

The District has a Regional Filaria Training & Research Centre and a Regional Analytical Laboratory.

A Cancer Control Society is functioning under the District Medical Officer of Health at Kozhikode to detect the cancer cases.

There are 7 Ayurvedic Hospitals – each at Vadakara, Payyoli, Kozhikode, Cheruvannur, Balusseri, Thalayad and Nochad with a total bed strength of 200. The District has 52 Ayurvedic Dispensaries and 4 Grant-in-aid Dispensaries. There are 45 Homeo dispensaries and 3 Homeo Hospitals with a total bed strength of 75. The total bed strength of Homeo Medical College is 100. There is a Co-operative Hospital in the city. This hospital has 125 bed strength.

The Kozhikode Municipal Corporation runs 7 Allopathic and 2 Ayurvedic Dispensaries.

Agriculture

Kozhikode district has a rich heritage in agriculture as it was a port city famous for pepper & species trade. Agriculture plays a major role in the district economy.

The total geographical area of the district is 2,33,330 hectares in which the net area sown is 1,63,932 hectares. The crops like coconut, paddy, banana, tubers and other spices and tree crops are cultivated in 8 major soil series such as Thikkoti series (18400 Ha), Nanminda series (1,20,000 Ha), Kakkodi series (4,500 Ha), Thiruvambady series (43,700 Ha) Kunnamangalam series (6,500 Ha), Adivaram series, Menmala series (16,800 Ha) and Periya series (9,000 Ha)

The district receives an average rain fall of 3000 mm during the months from March to December. The major share of the showers received during the months from June to August is 2000 mm.

The area, production & productivity of important crops is given in Table-1.



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QQQQQQQQQQAQQArea, production and productivity of important crops

Department of Agriculture has following institutions in the district aimed at the development of agriculture.

1.  Principal Agricultural Office

Located at Civil station, Kozhikode District level office to supervise and monitor the development activities in the district.

2.  Assistant Directors of Agriculture

Located in 12 blocks in the district, to supervise the activities of Krishibhavan in the respective blocks.

3.  Krishibhavans

The Department has established Krishibhavans in all 76 panchayats, Kozhikode Corporation and koyilandy and Vadakara municipalities. The main objective of the Krishibhavans is to give all technical guidance to the farmers related to agriculture, and they are officers implementing various schemes at grass roots level.

4.  Farmers Training Institute

Regional level institute is situated at Feroke, Kozhikode. The institute was established with an aim to impart training on modern agriculture to the farmers, farm labourers, peoples representatives and personnel of the department of agriculture from Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasargod.

5.  State Agmark Grading Laboratory

Situated at Malaparamba. Established for grading of oils, spices and ghee and to issue AGMARK.

6.  District Agricultural Farm

Located at Peruvannamoozhi, about 50 kms. from the city, on the way to Peruvannamoozhi reservoir. Mainly involved in the production and distribution o quality Coconut seedlings, Arecanut seedlings, Cashew grafts, Pepper cuttings, Vegetable seeds, Ornamental Plants, Medicinal Plants, fruit plants etc.

7.  State Seed Farm, Perambra

Located at Perambra, 30 Kms. away from the city. Main objective of the farm is to produce paddy and vegetable seeds.

8.  State Seed Farm, Puthuppady

Situated at Puthuppady. Involved in the production of paddy and vegetable seeds.

9.  Coconut Nursery, Thikkoti

Located by the side of NH 47, at Thikkoti, involved in the production of coconut seedlings, vegetable seeds, medicinal plants, ornamental plants, fruit plants and pepper cuttings.

10.  Parasite Breeding Station

Located at Thikkoti. Main objective is to multiply the natural enemies of various crop pests.

11.  Soil Testing Lab and Mobile Soil Testing Lab

Soil testing lab is also located at Thikkoti. Main job of the lab is to analyse the soil samples and to give suitable recommendation for improving soil fertility. The soil samples are collected through Krishibhavans and through campaigns conducted by mobile soil testing lab at various panchayats.

12.  Urban Wholesale Vegetable Market

Located at Vengeri. Established with financial assistance from European Economic Community for wholesale pooling and distribution of vegetables within the State.

13.  Farm Information Bureau

Situated at Vellimadukunnu. Farm Information Bureau is the official spokesman of the department of agriculture in the State. Publishes fortnightly magazine named “Kerala Karshakan” which gives all information in the field of agriculture.

Irrigation

Major projects under Irrigation Division are improvement and protection of Elathur-Kallai Canal, Beypore-Kallai Canal and Badagara-Mahe Canal. The improvement and protection works of Elathur-Kallai Canal is progressing and the proposal for the improvements of Beypore-kallai Canal, Badagara-Mahe Canal have been submitted to the Government as per the guidelines of IWAI, for approval. (Badagara-Mahe Canal has been handed over to the newly formed Inland Water Transport Division at Kannur). Now, Government is paying more importance for the development of Navigation through canal from Thiruvananthapuram to Kasargod for the economic transportation uses. All the above canals are part of West Coast Canal. In addition to boosting of transport facility, Elathur-Kallai canal controls floods in the Calicut city, as a drainage channel for storm water, effluents etc. The other major work undertaking through this division is Flood Control.

Out of the 75.02 kms. stretch of sea coast in Kozhikode district, 54.59 kms. length is vulnerable and seawalls have been constructed for 42,92 kms. thereby protecting the properties of poor fishermen thickly concentrated along the coastal belt. Proposals were submitted to protect the balance portion of sea coast where heavy erosions were occurred due to flood.

The division had undertaken many side protection works of river, thodu etc. and many works are being under taken; thereby protecting valuable properties of the inhabitants and Government.

Animal Husbandry

Animal Husbandry Department is vested with animal health programs in the district by making available timely veterinary assistance. At present, there are one District Veterinary Centre, two Veterinary Poly Clinic, 13 Veterinary Hospitals, 71 Veterinary Dispensaries and one mobile Veterinary Dispensary. In addition to the above, one Intensive Cattle Development Project (ICDP) Office, One Central Veterinary Store, One Regional Paultry Farm, One Calf Subsidy Scheme office, One Regional Clinical Laboratory are also functioning. Under ICDP Office, which covers three districts (Wayanad, Kozhikode and Malappuram) a Regional Artificial Insemination Centre and 109 Sub Centres are functioning in the district. There is a Rinderpest Vigilance Unit functioning at Kozhikode aiming at the eradication of Rinderpest disease. The overall control of above offices are under the District Animal Husbandry Office situated at the heart of the city.

Dairy Development

The Dairy Development Department undertakes several program to enhance milk production. Under the Fodder Development program, the dairy farmers are given fodder seeds and roots slips at scheduled rates and fertilizers in full subsidy. Incentives for fodder cultivation on commercial scale are provided to farmers and dairy co-operatives to take up massive fodder production. Assistance is also offered for conservation of fodder as silage and hay.

There are 155 Milk Co-operative Societies working in this district. The department extends assistance to sustain and develop these primary societies. The dairy co-operatives are assisted in purchasing modern milk testing equipments, milk cans, chemicals for milk testing and sanitation, working capital and managerial grant. Operational assistance is given to newly organized dairy co-operatives. The co-operative milk societies are also assisted for the purchase of milk cooler, freezer, refrigerator, generator, computer etc. as part of modernization.

There are 12 dairy extension service units functioning in the district. They are located at Vadakara, Payyoli, Koyilandy, Kozhikode, Mukkom, Kaithapoil, balussery, kakkodi, Chakkitapara, Kuttiady, Tuneri and Villiapally. Their area of operation being in the 12 respective N.E.S. Blocks.

Apart from this the dairy farmers are given assistance for the construction of model cattle sheds and establishment of model dairy farm units. Cattle feed, mineral mixture, clean milk production kit and vitamin supplements at subsidized prices are also distributed to deserving farmers. In order to adopt scientific management practices for rearing cows Dairy Extension Officers and Dairy Farm Instructors conduct discussion classes, demonstration classes, film shows, Exhibitions, cattle shows and seminars etc.

A mobile Quality Control Unit is functioning in this district to help Dairy Co-operatives as well as milk-producers in formulating quality pricing Schemes and to ensure supply of quality milk and products to consumers. A fully equipped Bacteriological laboratory is completed under people’s plan campaign of the District Panchayat. Quality awareness programs are conducted to benefit both the producers and consumers.

There is a Dairy Training Centre at Naduvattom near Beypore. Here practical oriented scientific training on cattle rearing, economic milk production, indigenous milk products manufacturing etc. is given to dairy farmers, society personnel, unemployed youth and women. Special programs to Kudumbasree projects and like projects are also being conducted.

The Milma is functioning at Peringolam near Kunnamangalam with a capacity of 60,000 litres/day. It also collects surplus milk from Palaghat, Nilambur and Wayanad. Besides liquid milk, milk-products like peda, ice cream, ghee, curd, sambharam, etc. are manufactured and marketed by the unit.

Fisheries

Kozhikode district is endowed with a coast line of 71 kms., stretching from Chaliyar to Azhiyoor; and it offers enormous resources for development of fisheries. The district is rich in brackish water area and there is great scope for shrimp farming too.

In the coastal belt, fishing is the main occupation of a large number of people. Around 25,000 fishermen are directly involved in fishing activities. The allied industries such as ice plant, freezing and processing units also provide employment to around 5,000 people in the district. As a whole, the fishing industry makes a sizeable contribution to the economy of the district as well as the State.

Major landing centres in the district are Chaliyam, Beypore, Vellayil, Puthiyappa, Koilandy, Badagara and Chombala. The average annual landing is estimated to be about one and half metric tons. These are about 586 registered boats along with 4,152 motorized fishing crafts and 5,458 non motorized country crafts operating in the district.

Ports

The District has an intermediate post at Kozhikode (including Beypore) and a minor port at Vadakara. In coast line of the Kozhikode port extends from Elathur cape to the south bank of Kadalundi river and treads roughly in straight line.

This port has two Piers, but this cannot be used due to the dilapidate condition. Traffic is mainly dealt at Beypore port. The Kozhikode Port has a Light House and a Signal Station. The godown at South Pier is used as transit sheds.

Beypore is situated at the mouth of Chaliyar river and is approximately 10 kms. south of Kozhikode. There is a wharf of 152 in length and is provided with 5 electric cranes. Out of which 4 are of 3 ton capacity and 1 is of 5 tone capacity. Ships and Sailing vessels upto a draft of 3.5m can come alongside the berth. However vessels of any draft can be called at anchorage at open road stead. An additional berth of 100 m in length has been constructed and is awaiting for completion of dredging and construction of back up area for commissioning the same. The Port is not completely closed during South-West Monsoon. Vessels are accepted if weather condition permits.

There is another minor Port at Badagara. Eventhough the port is opened for traffic, there has been no traffic during the recent years. The Port of Kozhikode, Beypore and Badagara are open for foreign and coastal trade.