LAND RESOURCE INVENTORY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF FARM HOUSEHOLDS FOR WATERSHED PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT HONNEGAUDANAHALLI (4B3E2F1c) MICRO WATERSHED Gundlupet Taluk, Chamarajanagara District, Karnataka

Abstract

The land resource inventory of Honnegaudanahalli Microwatershed was conducted using village cadastral maps and IRS satellite imagery on 1:7920 scale. The false colour composites of IRS imagery were interpreted for physiography and the physiographic delineations were used as base for mapping soils. The soils were studied in several transects and a soil map was prepared with phases of soil series as mapping units. Random checks were made all over the area outside the transects to confirm and validate the soil map unit boundries. The soil map shows the geographic distribution and extent, characterstics, classification and use potentials of the soils in the microwartershed. The present study covers an area of 584 ha in Gundlupet taluk of Chamarajanagar district, Karnataka. The climate is semiarid and categorized as drought prone with an average annual rainfall of 734 mm, of which about 254 mm is received during south –west monsoon, 268 mm during north-east and the remaining 212 mm during the rest of the year. An area of about 95 per cent is covered by soils, five per cent by others. The salient findings from the land resource inventory are summarized briefly below.  The soils belong to 9 soil series and 27 soil phases (management units) and 8 land management units.  The length of crop growing period is about 150 days starting from the 3rd week of June to 1st week of October.  From the master soil map, several interpretative and thematic maps like land capability, soil depth, surface soil texture, soil gravelliness, available water capacity, soil slope and soil erosion were generated.  Soil fertility status maps for macro and micronutrients were generated based on the surface soil samples collected at every 250 m grid interval.  Land suitability for growing major agricultural and horticultural crops were assessed and maps showing the degree of suitability along with constraints were generated.  About 93 per cent area is suitable for agriculture and 3 per cent is not suitable for agriculture.  About 46 per cent of the soils are moderately deep (75-100 cm) to very deep (>150 cm) and 50 per cent are shallow to moderately shallow (25-75 cm).  About 19 per cent of the area has clayey soils at the surface, 64 per cent loamy soils and 13 per cent sandy soils.  About 38 per cent of the area has non-gravelly soils, 41 per cent gravelly soils (15- 35 % gravel) and 16 per cent very gravelly (35- 60% gravel) soils.  About 76 per cent has soils that are very low (<50mm/m) to low (51-100 mm/m) in available water capacity and a small area of 20 per cent very high (>200 mm/m) in available water capacity.  About 85 per cent of the area has nearly level (0-1%) to very gently sloping (1-3% slope) lands and 10 per cent is under gently sloping (3-5%) to very strongly sloping (15-25%) lands.  An area of about 73 per cent has soils that are slightly eroded (e1), 20 per cent moderately eroded (e2) and 3 per cent soils are severely eroded (e3).  An area of about 19 per cent has soils that are extremely acid (pH 3.5-4.5) to slightly acid (pH 6.0-6.5) ; 22 per cent neutral (pH 6.5-7.3) and maximum area of about 54 per cent has soils that are slightly alkaline (pH 7.3 to 7.8) to strongly alkaline (pH 8.4 to 9.0).  The Electrical Conductivity (EC) of the soils are dominantly <2 dSm-1indicating that the soils are non-saline.  About one per cent of the soils are low (<0.5%), 57 per cent soils are medium (0.5- 0.75%) and 37 per cent high (>0.75%) in organic carbon.  About 38 per cent of the soils are low (<23 kg/ha), 31 per cent medium (23-57 kg/ha) and 27 per cent high (>57 kg/ha) in available phosphorus.  About 3 per cent of the soils are low (<145 kg/ha), 36 per cent medium (145-337 kg/ha) and 57 per cent high (>337 kg/ha) in available potassium.  Available sulphur is low (<10 ppm) in about 46 per cent area, medium (10-20 ppm) 28 per cent and 22 per cent high in available sulphur.  Available boron is low (0.5 ppm) in about 6 per cent area, medium (0.5-1.0 ppm) in 80 per cent area and high (>1.0 ppm) in 9 per cent area.  Available iron is deficient in about 8 per cent area and sufficient in 88 per cent area.  Available manganese is deficient (<1 ppm) in 2 per cent area and sufficient (>1 ppm) in 94 per cent area.  Available copper is sufficient in all the soils of the microwatershed.  Available zinc is deficient (<0.6 ppm) in 18 per cent area and sufficient in 78 per cent area.  The land suitability for 27 major crops grown in the microwatershed were assessed and the areas that are highly suitable (S1) and moderately suitable (S2) are given below. It is however to be noted that a given soil may be suitable for various crops but what specific crop to be grown may be decided by the farmer looking to his capacity to invest on various inputs, marketing infrastructure, price and finally the demand and supply position. Land suitability for various crops in the Microwatershed Crop Suitability Area in ha (%) Crop Suitability Area in ha (%) Highly suitable (S1) Moderately suitable (S2) Highly suitable (S1) Moderately suitable (S2) Sorghum 187 (32) 80 (14) Sapota 26 (4) 153 (26) Maize 125 (21) 54 (9) Guava 125 (21) 55 (9) Redgram 125 (21) 290 (50) Banana 26 (4) 187 (32) Horsegram 125 (21) 293 (50) Jackfruit 89 (15) 152 (26) Field bean 26 (4) 241 (41) Jamun 115 (20) 98 (17) Groundnut - 234 (40) Musambi 115 (20 ) 98 (17) Sunflower - 231 (37) Lime 115 (20) 98 (17) Cotton 89 (15) 152 (26) Cashew 26 (5) 153 (26) Onion 26 (4) 241 (41) Custard apple 213 (37) 225 (39) Potato 26 (4) 152 (26) Amla 213 (37) 225 (39) Beans 26 (4) 241 (41) Tamarind 115 (20) 98 (17) Beetroot 26 (4) 152 (26) Marigold 125 (21) 198 (34) Turmeric 26 (4) 1525 (26) Chrysanthemum 26 (5) 241 (26) Mango 26 (4) 98 (17)  Apart from the individual crop suitability, a proposed crop plan has been prepared for the 9 identified LMUs by considering only the highly and moderately suitable lands for different crops and cropping systems with food, fibre and horticulture crops.  Maintaining soil-health is vital to crop production and conserve soil and land resource base for maintaining ecological balance and to mitigate climate change. For this, several ameliorative measures have been suggested to these problematic soils like saline/alkali, highly eroded, sandy soils etc.,  Soil and water conservation treatment plan has been prepared that would help in identifying the sites to be treated and also the type of structures required.  As part of the greening programme, several tree species have been suggested to be planted in marginal and submarginal lands and also in the hillocks, mounds and ridges. SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF FARM HOUSEHOLDS Baseline socioeconomic characterisation is prerequisite to prepare action plan for program implementation and to assess the project performance before making any changes in the watershed development program. The baseline provides appropriate policy direction for enhancing productivity and sustainability in agriculture. Methodology: Honnegaudanahalli micro-watershed (Basavapur sub-watershed, Gundlupet taluk, Chamarajanagar district) is located in between 11044’ – 11047’ North latitudes and 76035’ – 76038’ East longitudes, covering an area of about 584 ha, bounded by Kannagal, Puttanapur and Bhimanabid villages with length of growing period (LGP) 150-180 days. We used soil resource map as basis for sampling farm households to test the hypothesis that soil quality influence crop selection, and conservation investment of farm households. The level of technology adoption and productivity gaps and livelihood patterns were analyses. The cost of soil degradation and ecosystem services were quantified. Results: The socio-economic outputs for the Honnegaudanahalli micro-watershed (Basavapur sub-watershed, Gundlupet taluk and Chamarajanagar district) are presented here. Social Indicators;  Male and female ratio is 52.0 to 48.0 per cent to the total sample population.  Younger age 18 to 50 years group of population is around 54 per cent to the total population.  Literacy population is around 72 per cent.  Social groups belong to general caste is around 70 per cent.  Liquefied petroleum gas is the source of energy for a cooking among all sample households.  About 60 per cent of households have a yashaswini health card.  Majority of farm households (30 %) are having MGNREGA card for rural employment.  Dependence on ration cards for food grains through public distribution system is around 80 per cent.  Swach bharath program providing closed toilet facilities around 70 per cent of sample households.  Institutional participation is only 17.0 per cent of sample households.  Women participation in decisions making of agriculture production among all sample households was found. 2 Economic Indicators;  The average landholding is 0.8 ha indicates that majority of farm households are belong to marginal and small farmers. The dry land account for 32.7 % and irrigated land is 67.3 % of total cultivable land among the sample households.  Agriculture is the main occupation among 20.0 per cent and agriculture is the main and agriculture labour is subsidiary occupation for 68.0 per cent of sample households.  The average value of domestic assets is around Rs.14057 per household. Mobile and television are popular media mass communication.  The average value of farm assets is around Rs.10921 per household, among the all sample farmers having plough and sprayer (20 %).  The average value of livestock is around Rs.17170 per household; about 60 per cent of household are having livestock.  The average per capita food consumption is around 471.5 grams (1195.3 kilo calories) against national institute of nutrition (NIN) recommendation at 827 gram. Among the all sample households are consuming less than the NIN recommendation.  The annual average income is around Rs.168282 per household. About 50 per cent on of farm households are below poverty line.  The per capita average monthly expenditure is around Rs.814. Environmental Indicators-Ecosystem Services;  The value of ecosystem service helps to support investment to decision on soil and water conservation and in promoting sustainable land use.  The onsite cost of different soil nutrients lost due to soil erosion is around Rs.711 per ha/year. The total cost of annual soil nutrients is around Rs.396566 per year for the total area of 122.6 ha.  The average value of ecosystem service for food grain production is around Rs. 75847/ ha/year. Per hectare food grain production services is maximum in garlic (Rs. 558310) followed by onion (Rs. 120939) horse gram (Rs. 11625), sunflower (Rs. 7550), maize (Rs .7447) and sorghum (Rs. 1857).  The average value of ecosystem service for fodder production is around Rs. 2924/ ha/year. Per hectare fodder production services is maximum in gram (Rs. 3203) followed by maize (Rs. 1482) and sorghum (Rs. 1671).  The data on water requirement for producing one quintal of grain is considered for estimating the total value of water required for crop production. The per hectare value of water used and value of water was maximum in turmeric (Rs. 77136) followed by sorghum (Rs. 41633), garlic (Rs. 40288), onion (Rs. 29291), sunflower (Rs. 28602), horse gram (Rs. 25170) and maize (Rs. 21128). 3 Economic Land Evaluation;  The major cropping pattern is by onion (26.8 %), followed by horse gram (16.2 %), sorghum (15.1 %), turmeric (14.2 %) sunflower (10.6 %), garlic (10.6 %), beetroot (3.3 %) and maize (3.3 %).  In Honnegaudanahalli micro-watershed, major soil are Hindupur (HDR) soil are having shallow soil depth cover around 10.4 % of area; crops are beet root (15.9 %), maize (31.9 %), sunflower (20.3 %), turmeric (31.9 %). Magoonahalli (MGH) soil series are having moderately shallow soil depth cover around 20 % of area; crops are onion (50 %) and turmeric (50 %). Kannigala (KNG) soil are having moderately deep soil depth cover around 9.4% of area; crops area horsegram (25.4 %) and sunflower (74.6 %), Beemanabeedu (BMB) soil are having very deep moderately soils depth cover around 15.2 % of area; crops are horse gram (22.5 %), sorghum (22.8 %), onion (22.9 %), sunflower (8.4 %) and turmeric (2.4 %) and Kallipura (KLP) soil series are very deep soil depth cover around (16.9 %) of area; crops are horse gram (50%) and sorghum (50%).  The total cost of cultivation and benefit cost ratio (BCR) in study area for sunflower ranges between Rs.40164/ha in HDR soil (With BCR of 1.02) and Rs. 27618/ha in KNG soil (with BCR of 1.07).  In turmeric the cost of cultivation range between is Rs. 818442/ha in BMB soil (with of 1.16) and Rs 93334 in HDR soil (with BCR of 2.12).  In onion the cost of cultivation range between Rs. 198935/ha in BMB soil (with BCR of 2.25) and Rs. 63126/ha in MGH soil (with BCR of 3.01).  In horse gram the cost of cultivation ranges between Rs.33643/ha in KNG soil (with BCR of 1.12) and Rs.13169/ha in BMB soil (with BCR of 1.21).  In sorghum the cost of cultivation range between Rs. 26791/ha in BMB soil (with BCR of 1.15) and Rs. 25532/ha in KLP soil (with BCR of 1.16).  In garlic the cost of cultivation in BMB soil is Rs. 57290/ha (with BCR of 10.75).  In beetroot the cost of cultivation in HDR soil is Rs. 43823/ha (with BCR of 1.13) and maize the cost of cultivation in Rs. 24539/ha (with BCR of 1.36).  The land management practices reported by the farmers are crop rotation, tillage practices, fertilizer application and use of farm yard manure (FYM). Due to higher wages farmer are following labour saving strategies is not prating soil and water conservation measures. Less ownership of livestock limiting application of FYM.  It was observed soil quality influences on the type and intensity of land use. More fertilizer applications are deeper soil to maximize returns. Suggestions;  Involving farmers is watershed planning helps in strengthing institutional participation. 4  The per capita food consumption and monthly income is very low. Diversifying income generation activities from crop and livestock production in order to reduce risk related to drought and market prices.  Majority of farmers reported that they are not getting timely support/extension services from the concerned development departments.  By strengthing agricultural extension for providing timely advice improved technology there is scope to increase in net income of farm households.  By adopting recommended package of practices by following the soil test fertiliser recommendation, there is scope to increase yield in beetroot(91.6 %), maize(79.2 %), sunflower (28.3 to 73.4 %), turmeric (0 to 39.3 %), onion (70.6 %), horse gram (9.6 to 25.6% %), sorghum(53.6% to 52.9 %), garlic (12.4 %) and onion (48.5 %).