LAND RESOURCE INVENTORY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF FARM HOUSEHOLDS FOR WATERSHED PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT NARAYANAPET-1 (4D5B1R1b) MICROWATERSHED Sydhapur Hobli, Yadgir Taluk and District, Karnataka

Abstract

The land resource inventory of Narayanpet-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 these 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 boundaries. The soil map shows the geographic distribution and extent, characteristics, classification, behaviour and use potentials of the soils in the microwatershed. The present study covers an area of 596 ha in Narayanpet-1 microwatershed in Yadgir taluk and district, Karnataka. The climate is semiarid and categorized as droughtprone with an average annual rainfall of 866 mm, of which about 652 mm is received during south–west monsoon, 138 mm during north-east and the remaining 76 mm during the rest of the year. An area of about 87 per cent is covered by soils, <1 per cent by railway lands, mining/industrial and rock lands, 11 per cent by habitation and water bodies. The salient findings from the land resource inventory are summarized briefly below.  The soils belong to 8 soil series and 12 soil phases (management units) and 3 land management units.  The length of crop growing period is 120-150 days starting from the 1st week of June to 4th 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 320 m grid interval.  Land suitability for growing 26 major agricultural and horticultural crops were assessed and maps showing the degree of suitability along with constraints were generated.  Entire land area of the microwatershed is suitable for agriculture.  About 2 per cent soils are shallow (25-50 cm), 3 per cent soils are moderately shallow (50-75 cm), 7 per cent soils are moderately deep (75- 100 cm), 17 per cent soils are deep (100-150 cm) and about 59 per cent soils are very deep (>150 cm).  About 83 per cent of the area has clayey soils and 4 per cent loamy soils at the surface.  Entire area of about 87 per cent has non-gravelly lands.  About 75 per cent of the area has soils that are very high (>200 mm/m) in available water capacity, 9 per cent medium (101-150 mm/m) and about 2 per cent very low (<50 mm/m).  An area of 87 per cent of the microwatershed has very gently sloping (1-3%) lands.  About 83 per cent has soils that are moderately eroded (e2) and 4 per cent has severely eroded (e3) soils.  An area of about 3 per cent is slightly alkaline (pH 7.3-7.8), 38 per cent soils that are moderately alkaline (pH 7.8 to 8.4), 43 per cent soils that are strongly alkaline (pH 8.4 – 9.0) and about 3 per cent are very strongly alkaline (pH>9.0) in soil reaction.  The Electrical Conductivity (EC) of the soils are dominantly is <2 dSm-1 indicating that the soils are non-saline.  About 36 per cent is low (<0.5%), 46 per cent medium (0.5-0.75%) and 6 per cent high (>0.75%) in organic carbon.  An area of 9 per cent has soils that are low (<23 kg/ha), 65 per cent medium (23-57 kg/ha) and 14 per cent high (>57 kg/ha) in available phosphorus.  About 10 per cent medium (145-337 kg/ha) and 77 per cent high (>337 kg/ha) in available potassium.  Available sulphur is low (<10 ppm) in about 66 per cent, medium (10-20 ppm) in 17 per cent and high (>20 ppm) in about 5 per cent area of the microwatershed.  Available boron is low (<0.5 ppm) in 33 per cent, 54 per cent medium (0.5- 1.0 ppm) and high (>1.0 ppm) in about 1 per cent area of the microwatershed.  About 3 per cent area has soils that are deficient (<4.5 ppm) in available iron and 84 per cent sufficient (>4.5 ppm).  Available manganese and copper are sufficient in all the soils of the microwatershed.  Entire area of the microwatershed is deficient (<0.6 ppm) in available zinc.  The land suitability for 26 major agricultural and horticultural crops grown in the microwatershed was 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, market price and finally the demand and supply position. Land suitability for various crops in the Narayanpet-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 - 506 (85) Sapota - - Maize - 519 (87) Guava - - Red gram - 490 (82) Pomegranate - 490 (82) Bajra - 504 (84) Jackfruit - - Ground nut - - Jamun - 450 (75) Sunflower - 490 (82) Musambi - 490 (82) Cotton - 505 (85) Lime - 490 (82) Bengalgram - 505 (85) Cashew - - Chilli - 503 (84) Custard apple - 505 (85) Tomato - - Amla - 505 (85) Drumstick - 490 (82) Tamarind - 450 (75) Mulberry - - Marigold - 505 (85) Mango - - Chrysanthemum - 505 (85) Apart from the individual crop suitability, a proposed crop plan has been prepared for the 3 identified LMUs by considering only the highly and moderately suitable lands for different crops and cropping systems with food, fodder, fibre and other horticulture crops that helps in maintaining the ecological balance in the microwatershed  Maintaining soil-health is vital for 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 for 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, field bunds and also in the hillocks, mounds and ridges. This would help in supplementing the farm income, provide fodder and fuel, and generate lot of biomass which in turn would help in maintaining the ecological balance and contribute to mitigating the climate change. SALIENT FINDINGS OF THE SURVEY  The data on households sampled for socio economic survey indicated that 35 farmers were sampled in Narayanpet-1 micro-watershed among them 4 (11.43 %) were landless, 6 (17.14 %) were marginal farmers, 14 (40 %) were small farmers, 9 (25.71 %) were semi medium farmers and 2 (5.71 %) were medium farmers.  The data indicated that there were 94 (58.39 %) men and 67 (41.61 %) women among the sampled households. The average family size of landless farmers’ was 4, marginal farmers’ was 4.8, small farmers’ was 4.6, semi medium farmers’ was 5.7 and medium farmers’ was 6.  The data indicated that, 38 (23.60 %) people were in 0-15 years of age, 71 (44.10 %) were in 16-35 years of age, 43 (26.71 %) were in 36-60 years of age and 9 (5.59 %) were above 61 years of age.  The results indicated that Narayanpet-1 had 41.61 per cent illiterates, 0.62 per cent Functional Literate, 29.19 per cent of them had primary school, 5.59 per cent of them had middle school, 7.45 per cent of them had high school education, 4.97 per cent of them had PUC, 1.24 per cent of them had Diploma, 0.62 per cent of them had ITI, 4.35 per cent of them had Degree and 1.24 per cent of them had Masters education.  The results indicate that, 65.71 per cent of household heads were practicing agriculture, 14.29 per cent of the household heads were agricultural labourers, 17.14 per cent of the household heads were General labourers and 5.71 per cent of the household heads were Housewives.  The results indicate that agriculture was the major occupation for 42.24 per cent of the household members, 8.70 per cent were agricultural labourers, 9.94 per cent were General Labour, 0.62 per cent were Government Service, 3.11 per cent were Private Service, 24.22 per cent were Student, 6.83 per cent were Housewife and 3.73 per cent were children.  The results show that, 0.62 per cent of the population in the micro watershed has participated in User Group.  The results indicate that 8.57 per cent of the households possess thatched house, 77.14 per cent of the households possess katcha house and 14.29 per cent of them possess pucca/RCC house.  The results show that 68.57 per cent of the households possess TV, 42.86 per cent of the households possess mixer/grinder, 20 per cent of the households possess Bicycle, 28.57 per cent of the households possess Motor Cycle, 2.86 per cent of the households possess auto and Landline Phone and 94.29 per cent of the households possess mobile phones. 2  The results show that the average value of television was Rs. 3,645, mixer/grinder was Rs. 1,400, Bicycle was Rs. 1,142, motor cycle was Rs. 32,500, auto was Rs. 60,000, Landline Phone was Rs. 2,000 and mobile phone was Rs. 1,280.  About 8.57 per cent of the households possess bullock cart, 28.57 per cent of them possess plough, 5.71 per cent of them possess seed/fertilizer drill, 2.86 per cent of them possess tractor, 5.71 per cent of them possess Sprayer and 74.29 per cent of them possess Weeder.  The results show that the average value of bullock cart was Rs. 25,000, plough was Rs. 2,500, seed/fertilizer drill was Rs. 3,500, tractor was Rs. 700,000, sprayer was Rs. 3,750 and weeder was Rs. 30.  The results indicate that, 34.29 per cent of the households possess bullocks, 2.86 per cent of the households possess local cow and 5.71 per cent of the households possess Sheep.  The results indicate that, average own labour men available in the micro watershed was 1.45, average own labour (women) available was 1.39, average hired labour (men) available was 13.61 and average hired labour (women) available was 14.42.  The results indicate that, 88.57 per cent of the households opined that the hired labour was adequate.  The results indicate that, households of the Narayanpet-1 micro-watershed possess 58.53 ha (98.64 %) of dry land and 0.81 ha (1.36 %) of irrigated land. Marginal farmers possess 4.18 ha (100 %) of dry land. Small farmers possess 20.19 ha (96.15 %) of dry land and 0.81 ha (3.85 %) of irrigated land. Semi medium farmers possess 24.76 ha (100%) of dry land. Medium farmers possess 9.40 ha (100%) of dry land.  The results indicate that, the average value of dry land was Rs. 284,349.72 and the average value of irrigated land was Rs. 988,000. In case of marginal famers, the average land value was Rs. 728,578.34 for dry land. In case of small famers, the average land value was Rs. 309,430.75 for dry land and Rs. 988,000 for irrigated land. In case of semi medium famers, the average land value was Rs. 246,273.29 for dry land. In case of medium farmers, the average land value was Rs. 132,967.27 for dry land.  The results indicate that, canal was the major irrigation source in the micro water shed for 2.86 per cent of the farmers.  The results indicate that, small farmers had an irrigated area of 0.81 ha.  The results indicate that, farmers have grown red gram (14.01 ha), cotton (33.81 ha), paddy (0.81 ha), Red gram (14.01 ha) and Sorghum (7.81 ha). Marginal farmers have grown red gram and cotton. Small farmers have grown red gram, cotton, sorghum and paddy. Semi medium farmers have grown sorghum, red gram and cotton. Medium farmers have grown red gram and cotton. 3  The results indicate that, the cropping intensity in Narayanpet-1 micro-watershed was found to be 90.89 per cent.  The results indicate that, 57.14 per cent of the households have bank account.  The results indicate that, 57.14 per cent of the households have availed credit from different sources.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for Cotton was Rs. 24097.92. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 50036.33. The net income from Cotton cultivation was Rs. 25938.41. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1: 2.08.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for Sorghum was Rs. 10861.55. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 24428.78. The net income from Sorghum cultivation was Rs. 13567.23. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1: 2.25.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for Red gram was Rs. 20532.37. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 31589.33. The net income from Red gram cultivation was Rs. 11056.96. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1: 1.54.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for Paddy was Rs. 33932.61. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 160550. The net income from Paddy cultivation was Rs. 126617.39. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1: 4.73.  The results indicate that, 42.86 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was adequate.  The results indicate that the annual gross income was Rs. 162,500 for landless farmers, for marginal farmers it was Rs. 65,016.67, for small farmers it was Rs. 117,403.57, semi medium farmers it was Rs. 182,027.78 and medium farmers it was Rs. 179,500.  The results indicate that the average annual expenditure is Rs. 17,092.40. For landless households it was Rs. 30,625, for marginal farmers it was Rs. 2,833.33, for small farmers it was Rs. 12,643.71, for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 23,246.91 and medium farmers it was Rs. 36,250.  The results indicate that, sampled households have grown 1mango trees in their field.  The results indicate that, households have planted 4 Teak, 30 neem, 2 tamarind, 6 Banyan and 2 acacia trees in their field and also 2 teak and 5 neem in backyard.  The results indicated that, households have an average investment capacity of Rs. 12,942.86 for land development Rs. 18,142.86 for Irrigation facility, Rs. 1,228.57 for improved crop production and Rs. 2,485.71 for improved livestock management. 4  The results indicated that Government subsidy was the source of additional investment for 2.78 per cent for land development and improved livestock management, Loan from bank was the source of additional investment for 22.22 per cent for land development and 13.89 per cent for irrigation facility, 25 per cent for improved crop production and 16.67 per cent for improved livestock management, soft loan was the source of additional investment for 2.78 per cent for improved livestock management.  The results indicated that, cotton was sold to the extent of 100 per cent, Paddy was sold to the extent of 60 per cent, Redgram was sold to the extent of 71.26 per cent and Sorghum to the extent of 90.48 per cent.  The results indicated that, about 94.29 per cent of the farmers sold their produce to local/village merchants.  The results indicated that, 2.86 per cent of the households have used cart as a mode of transportation and 91.43 per cent of the households have used Tractor as a mode of transportation.  The results indicated that, 88.57 per cent of the households have experienced soil and water erosion problems in the farm.  The results indicated that, 88.57 per cent have shown interest in soil test.  The results indicated that, 85.71 per cent of the households used firewood, 5.71 per cent of the households used Kerosene and 14.29 per cent of the households used LPG as a source of fuel.  The results indicated that, piped supply was the major source of drinking water for 94.29 per cent and 2.86 per cent of the households used bore well in the micro watershed.  The results indicated that, Electricity was the major source of light for 100 per cent of the households in micro watershed.  The results indicated that, 48.57 per cent of the households possess sanitary toilet facility.  The results indicated that, 97.14 per cent of the sampled households possessed BPL cards and 2.86 per cent of the sampled households Not Possessed.  The results indicated that, 65.71 per cent of the households participated in NREGA programme.  The results indicated that, cereals were adequate for 100 per cent of the households, pulses were adequate for 97.14 per cent of the households, oilseed were adequate for 88.57 per cent, vegetables were adequate for 65.71 per cent, milk were adequate for 80 per cent and Egg were adequate for 8.57 per cent.  The results indicated that, pulses were inadequate for 2.86 per cent of the households, oilseeds were inadequate for 11.43 per cent, vegetables were inadequate for 31.43 per cent, fruits were inadequate for 100 per cent, milk were 5 inadequate for 20 per cent, egg were inadequate for 88.57 per cent and meat were inadequate for 100 per cent of the households.  The results indicated that, lower fertility status of the soil, wild animal menace on farm field and Frequent incidence of pest and diseases was the constraint experienced by 88.57 per cent of the households, Inadequacy of irrigation water (2.86 %), High cost of Fertilizers and plant protection chemicals, High rate of interest on credit and Low price for the agricultural commodities (85.71 %), Lack of marketing facilities in the area (82.86 %), high rate of interest on credit (11.43%), low price for the agricultural commodities (20%), lack of marketing facilities in the area (17.14%), Inadequate extension services (5.71 %) and lack of transport for safe transport of the Agril produce to the market (80%).