LAND RESOURCE INVENTORY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF FARM HOUSEHOLDS FOR WATERSHED PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT CHILKADABETTA-1 (4D3E2J1b) MICROWATERSHED Gundlupet Taluk, Chamarajanagara District, Karnataka

Abstract

The land resource inventory of Chilkadabetta-1 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 476 ha in Chilkadabetta-1 microwatershed in Gundlupet taluk of Chamarajanagar district, Karnataka. The climate is semiarid and categorized as drought prone with an average annual rainfall of 734 mm. Maximum of 254 mm precipitation takes place during south–west monsoon period from June to September, the north-east monsoon contributes about 268 mm and prevails from October to early December and the remaining 212 mm takes place during the rest of the year. An area of about 97 per cent is covered by soils and 3 per cent by waterbodies, settlements, forest and others. The salient findings from the land resource inventory are summarized briefly below.  The soils belong to 10 soil series and 28 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 3rd week of November.  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 77 per cent area is suitable for agriculture and 23 per cent is not suitable for agriculture but well suited for forestry, pasture, agroforestry, silvi-pasture, recreation, installation of wind mills and as habitat for wildlife.  About 24 per cent of the soils are very deep (>150 cm), 12 per cent moderately deep (75 - 100 cm), 61 per cent moderately shallow to shallow (25-75 cm).  About 32 per cent of the area has clayey soils, 52 per cent loamy soils and 13 per cent sandy soils at the surface.  About 9 per cent of the area has non-gravelly (<15% gravel) soils, 36 per cent gravelly soils (15-35 % gravel) and 52 per cent very gravelly soils (35- 60% gravel).  About 24 per cent of the area has soils that are very high (>200mm/m) in available water capacity and about 73 per cent low (50-100 mm/m) and very low (<50mm/m) available water capacity.  About 74 per cent of the area has gently sloping (3-5%) to very gently sloping (1-3% slope) lands, 15 per cent of the area has moderately sloping (5-10%), 5 per cent of the area has strongly sloping (10-15%) and 3 per cent area has nearly level (0.1%) lands.  An area of about 46 per cent has soils that are slightly eroded (e1), 35 per cent moderately eroded (e2) and 15 per cent area is severely eroded (e3).  An area of about 24 per cent has soils that are neutral in reaction (pH 6.5 to 7.3), 18 per cent slightly alkaline (pH 7.3-7.8), 41 per cent moderately alkaline (pH 7.8 to 8.4) to strongly alkaline (pH 8.4 to 9.0), 5 per cent slightly acid (pH 6.0-6.5) and 9 per cent moderately acid (pH 5.5-6.0).  The Electrical Conductivity (EC) of the soils are dominantly <2 dsm-1indicating that the soils are non-saline.  About 26 per cent medium (0.5-0.75%) and 69 per cent low (<0.5%) in organic carbon.  An area of 61 per cent has soils that are low (<23 kg/ha) and an area of 35 per cent medium (23-57 kg/ha) in available phosphorus  About 39 per cent medium (145-337 kg/ha) and 57 per cent high (>337kg/ha) in available potassium.  Available sulphur is low (<10 ppm) in about 96 per cent area and medium (10-20 ppm) in <1 per cent in available sulphur.  Available boron is low (<0.5 ppm) in about 48 per cent area and 48 per cent medium (0.5-1.0 ppm).  About 41 per cent area has soils that are deficient (<4.5 ppm) in available iron and 56 per cent sufficient (>4.5 ppm).  Available manganese and copper are sufficient in all the soils.  Available zinc is deficient in all the soils  The land suitability for 27 major crops (agricultural and horticultural) 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 Chilkadabetta-1 Microwatershed Crop Suitability Area in ha (%) Crop Suitability Area in ha (%) Highly suitable (S1) Moderately suitable (S2) Highly suitable (S1) Moderately suitable (S2) Sorghum 82 (17) 186 (39) Guava 78 (16) 57 (12) Maize 101 (21) 155 (33) Mango 78 (16) 23 (5) Red gram 78(16) 83 (18) Sapota 78 (16) 57 (12) Groundnut 35 (7) 221(47) Jackfruit 78 (16) 23 (5) Sunflower 70 (15) 77 (16) Jamun 78 (16) 35 (7) Cotton 82 (17) 155 (33) Musambi 78 (16) 35 (5) Onion 78 (16) 190 (40) Lime 78 (16) 35 (5) Beans 78 (16) 190 (40) Cashew 78 (16) 57 (12) Potato 78 (16) 178 (37) Custard apple 78 (16) 193 (40) Beetroot 78 (16) 178 (37) Amla 78 (16) 193(40) Turmeric 78 (16) 178 (37) Tamarind 78 (16) 35(5) Horse gram 78 (16) 180 (38) Marigold 78 (16) 190(40) Field bean 78 (16) 190 (40) Chrysanthamum 78 (16) 190(40) Banana 78 (16) 69 (50) Apart from the individual crop suitability, a proposed crop plan has been prepared for the 8 identified LMUs by considering only the highly and moderately suitable lands for different crops and cropping systems with food, fibre and horticulture crops that helps in maintaining the ecological balance in the microwatershed. 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 that are edible, ecological and produce lot of biomass which helps in restoring the ecological balance in the micro watershed. 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: Chilakadabetta-1 Microwatershed (Shivapura sub-watershed, Gundlupet taluk, Chamarajanagar district) is located in between 11041’ – 11042’ North latitudes and 76040’ – 76042’ East longitudes, covering an area of about 476 ha, bounded by Hullipura, Belavadihundi, Mangala and Shivapura villages with length of growing period (LGP) 120-150 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 Chilakadabetta-1 micro-watershed (Shivapura sub-watershed, Gundlupet taluk and Chamarajanagar district) are presented here. Social Indicators  Male and female ratio is 61.2 to 38.8 per cent to the total sample population.  Younger age 18 to 50 years group of population is around 55.1 per cent to the total population.  Literacy population is around 71.4 per cent.  Social groups belong to scheduled caste (SC) is around 30 per cent.  Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is the source of energy for a cooking among 90 per cent.  About 60.0 per cent of households have a yashaswini health card.  Around 30.0 percent of farm households are having MGNREGA card for rural employment.  Dependence on ration cards for food grains through public distribution system is around 70 per cent.  Swach bharath program providing closed toilet facilities around 80 per cent.  Institutional participation is only 8.2 per cent.  Rural migration to urban centre for employment is prevalent among 10 per cent of sample households.  Women participation in decisions making are around 30 per cent of sample households. 2 Economic Indicators  The average land holding is 0.8 ha indicates that majority of farm households are belong to marginal farmers. The dry land account for 72.1 % and irrigated land is 27.9 % of total cultivated land of the sample farmers.  Agriculture is the main occupation among 79.6 per cent and agriculture is the main agriculture labour is the subsidiary occupation around 10.2 per cent of sample households.  The average value of domestic assets is around Rs 93314 per household. Mobile and television are popular media mass communication.  The average value of farm assets is around Rs 74219 per household, about 50.0 per cent of sample farmers are having sprayer.  The average value of livestock is around Rs 25750 per household; about 58.3 per cent of household are having livestock.  The average per capita food consumption is around 588.3 grams (1253.5 kilo calories) against national institute of nutrition (NIN) recommendation at 827 gram. Around 80.0 per cent of sample households are consuming less than the NIN recommendation.  The annual average income is around Rs. 36529 per household. All sample farm households are below poverty line.  The per capita average monthly expenditure is around Rs.1401. 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. 900 per ha/year. The total cost of annual soil nutrients is around Rs. 505064 per year for the total area of 475.8 ha.  The average value of ecosystem service for food grain production is around Rs. 16231/ ha/year. Per hectare food grain production services is maximum in tomato (Rs. 43260) followed by beans (Rs. 18914), maize (Rs. 16914), sorghum (Rs. 16401), horse gram (Rs. 7824), sunflower (Rs. 5818) and groundnut (Rs. 4485).  The average value of ecosystem service for fodder production is around Rs. 449/ ha/year. Per hectare fodder production services is maximum in groundnut (Rs. 675) followed by horse gram (Rs. 472), sunflower (Rs. 329) and sorghum (Rs. 318).  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 beans (Rs. 538092) followed by tomato (Rs. 49965), sorghum (Rs. 48561), maize (Rs. 36220), sunflower (Rs. 30947), horse gram (Rs. 20349) and groundnut (Rs. 20287). 3 Economic Land Evaluation  The major cropping pattern is horse gram (29.9 %) followed by sorghum (19.4 %) groundnut (18.1 %), sunflower (16.7 %), maize (8.7 %) and beans (3.6 %).  Chilakadabetta-1 Micro watershed, major soils are soil Hindupur (HDR) series is having shallow soil depth cover around 6.5 % of area. On this soil farmers are presently growing sunflower (50.0 %) and sorghum (50.0%). Hullipura (HPR) are also having moderately shallow soil depth cover around 16.6 % of area, the crops are beans (5.5 %), horse gram(44.5%), sorghum(44.5%) and tomato was 5.5 % each. Shivapura (SPR) soil series having shallow soil depth cover around 14.6 % of areas, crops are groundnut (50.0 %) and horse gram (50.0 %). Kannigala (KNG) soil series are having moderately deep soil depth cover around 11.7 % per cent of area. The major crops grown are groundnut (31.7%) and horse gram (68.3%). Annurkeri (ARK) soil series are having very deep soil depth covers around 7.4 % of area, the major crop grown is beans (13.1%), groundnut (36.9%), sorghum (36.9%) and tomato (13.1%). Kalligaudanahalli (KDH) and Beemanabeedu (BMB) soil series having very deep soil depth cover 7.3 % and 2.5 % of areas respectively; crops are maize, sunflower and horse gram.  The total cost of cultivation and benefit cost ratio (BCR) in study area for groundnut ranges between Rs.18746/ha in SPR soil (with BCR of 1.0) and Rs.30525/ha in KNG soil (with BCR of 1.04).  In horse gram the cost of cultivation range between Rs 6371/ha in SPR soil (with of 2.62) and Rs. 28728/ha in BMB soil (with BCR of 1.57).  In sorghum the cost of cultivation range between Rs. 11171/ha in ARK soil (with BCR of 2.53) and Rs. 18249/ha in HDR soil (with BCR of 1.71).  In tomato the cost of cultivation range between is Rs.118609 /ha in ARK soil (with BCR of 1.25) and Rs331873 in HPR soil (with BCR of 1.28).  In sunflower the cost of cultivation range between is Rs 17602/ha in HDR soil (with BCR of 1.94) and Rs. 33353/ha in BMB soil (with BCR of 1.03).  In beans the cost of cultivation range between is Rs 112311/ha in ARK soil (with BCR of 1.23) and Rs. 126088/ha in HPR soil (with BCR of 1.02).  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 on deeper soils 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 groundnut (56.6 to 58.7 %), horse gram (24.1 to 45.8 %), sorghum (38.2 to 53.1 %), sunflower (31.7 to 39.3 %) and tomato (44.9 to 64 %).