LAND RESOURCE INVENTORY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF FARM HOUSEHOLDS FOR WATERSHED PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT BANDEHALLI-2 (4D2D6O2a) MICROWATERSHED Sydhapur Hobli, Yadgir Taluk and District, Karnataka

Abstract

The land resource inventory of Bandehalli-2 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 669 ha in Bandehalli-2 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 85 per cent is covered by soils, 15 per cent by habitation and water bodies. The salient findings from the land resource inventory are summarized briefly below.  The soils belong to 15 soil series and 18 soil phases (management units) and 7 land use classes.  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 cultivated area of the microwatershed is suitable for agriculture.  About <1 per cent soils are very shallow (<25 cm), 5 per cent soils are shallow (25-50 cm), 14 per cent soils are moderately shallow (50-75 cm), 30 per cent soils are moderately deep (75-100 cm), 36 per cent soils are deep (100-150 cm) and about <1 per cent soils are very deep (>150 cm) soils.  About 30 per cent of the area has clayey soils, 43 per cent loamy soils and 12 per cent sandy at the surface.  An area of about 85 per cent has non-gravelly and <1 per cent has gravelly (15-35%) lands.  About 27 per cent of the area has soils are very high (>200 mm/m) in available water capacity, 32 per cent medium (101-150 mm/m), 21 per cent low (51-100 mm/m) and about 6 per cent very low (<50 mm/m) in available water capacity.  Entire cultivated area of 85 per cent of the microwatershed has very gently sloping (1-3%) lands.  About 85 per cent has soils that are moderately eroded (e2) and <1 per cent has slightly eroded (e1) soils.  An area of about 24 per cent is neutral (ph 6.5-7.3), 28 per cent is slightly alkaline (pH 7.3-7.8) and 33 per cent soils are moderately alkaline (pH 7.8 to 8.4) in soil reaction.  The Electrical Conductivity (EC) of the soils are <2 dS m-1 indicating that the soils are non-saline.  About 28 per cent is low (<0.5%), 29 per cent medium (0.5-0.75%) and 28 per cent high (>0.75%) in organic carbon.  An area of 46 per cent has soils that are low (<23 kg/ha), 33 per cent medium (23-57 kg/ha) and 6 per cent high (>57 kg/ha) in available phosphorus.  About 35 per cent low (<145 kg/ha) and 50 per cent medium (145-337 kg/ha) in available potassium.  Available sulphur is low (<10 ppm) in about 44 per cent, medium (10-20 ppm) in 30 per cent and high (>20 ppm) in about 11 per cent area of the microwatershed.  Available boron is low (<0.5 ppm) in 16 per cent, 61 per cent medium (0.5- 1.0 ppm) and high (>1.0 ppm) in about 8 per cent area of the microwatershed.  About 10 per cent area has soils that are deficient (<4.5 ppm) in available iron and 75 per cent sufficient (>4.5 ppm).  Available manganese is sufficient in all the soils of the microwatershed.  About <1 per cent area has soils that are deficient (<0.2 ppm) in available copper and 85 per cent sufficient (>0.2 ppm).  About 85 per cent area has soils that are deficient (<0.6 ppm) in available zinc and <1 per cent sufficient (>0.6 ppm).  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 Bandehalli-2 microwatershed Crop Suitability Area in ha (%) Crop Suitability Area in ha (%) Highly suitable (S1) Moderately suitable (S2) Highly suitable (S1) Moderately suitable (S2) Sorghum 16 (2) 448 (67) Sapota - 51 (8) Maize - 189 (28) Guava - 51 (8) Red gram - 189 (28) Pomegranate - 417 (62) Bajra - 527 (79) Jackfruit - 10 (1) Ground nut - 139 (21) Jamun - 219 (33) Sunflower 9 (1) 367 (55) Musambi 0.38 (<1) 417 (62) Cotton 67 (10) 386 (58) Lime 0.38 (<1) 417 (62) Bengalgram 67 (10) 387 (58) Cashew - - Chilli - 454 (68) Custard apple 87 (13) 377 (56) Tomato - 138 (21) Amla - 464 (69) Drumstick - 417 (62) Tamarind - 219 (33) Mulberry - 10 (1) Marigold - 504 (75) Mango - 8 (1) Chrysanthemum - 504 (75) Apart from the individual crop suitability, a proposed crop plan has been prepared for the 7 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 Bandehalli-2 micro-watershed among them 5 (14.29 %) were landless, 8 (22.86 %) were marginal farmers, 18 (51.43 %) were small farmers and 4 (11.43 %) were semi medium farmers.  The data indicated that there were 94 (53.71 %) men and 81 (46.29 %) women among the sampled households. The average family size of landless farmers’ was 4.6, marginal farmers’ was 4.62, small farmers’ was 5.16 and semi medium farmers’ was 5.5.  The data indicated that, 44 (25.14 %) people were in 0-15 years of age, 78 (44.57 %) were in 16-35 years of age, 41 (23.43 %) were in 36-60 years of age and 12 (6.86 %) were above 61 years of age.  The results indicated that Bandehalli-2 had 54.86 per cent illiterates, 20.57 per cent of them had primary school, 4 per cent of them had middle school, 8.57 per cent of them had high school education, 4 per cent of them had PUC, 0.57 per cent of them had Diploma and ITI and 3.43 per cent of them had Degree education and 1.14 per cent of them had masters.  The results indicate that, 94.29 per cent of household heads were practicing agriculture and 8.57 per cent of the household heads were agricultural labourers.  The results indicate that agriculture was the major occupation for 20 per cent of the household members, 49.71 per cent were agricultural labourers, 1.14 per cent were Housewives, 0.57 per cent were in Private Service, 25.71 per cent were students and 2.86 per cent were children.  The results show that, 0.57 per cent of the population in the micro watershed has participated in NGOs.  The results indicate that 2.86 per cent of the households possess Thatched house, 80 per cent of the households possess katcha house and 17.14 per cent of them possess pucca/RCC.  The results show that 51.43 per cent of the households possess TV, 17.14 per cent of the households possess mixer/grinder, 2.86 per cent of the households possess Refrigerator, 8.57 per cent of the households possess bicycle, 31.43 per cent of the households possess motor cycle and 85.71 per cent of the households possess mobile phones.  The results show that the average value of television was Rs. 4,083, mixer/grinder was Rs. 1,466, Refrigerator was Rs. 6,000, bicycle was Rs. 1,500, motor cycle was Rs. 41,818 and mobile phone was Rs. 1,872.  About 14.29 per cent of the households possess bullock cart, 28.57 per cent of them possess plough, 11.43 per cent of them possess Seed/Fertilizer Drill and sprayer and 28.57 per cent of them possess weeder. 2  The results show that the average value of bullock cart was Rs. 26,000, plough was Rs. 5,050, seed/fertilizer drill was Rs. 6,625, tractor was Rs. 450,000, sprayer was Rs. 2,600, and the average value of weeder was Rs. 39.  The results indicate that, 28.57 per cent of the households possess bullocks, 5.71 per cent of the households possess Local cow, 2.86 per cent of the households possess Buffalo and 5.71 per cent of the households possess Poultry birds.  The results indicate that, average own labour men available in the micro watershed was 1.46 and average own labour (women) available was 1.51, average hired labour (men) available was 9.40 and average hired labour (women) available was 11.40.  In case of marginal farmers, average own labour men available was 1.38, average own labour (women) was 1.25, average hired labour (men) was 8.38 and average hired labour (women) available was 10.38. In case of small farmers, average own labour men available was 1.67 and average own labour (women) was 1.72, average hired labour (men) was 11.72 and average hired labour (women) available was 14.33. In case of semi medium farmers, average own labour men available was 1.75, average own labour (women) was 2, average hired labour (men) was 12.25 and average hired labour (women) available was 14.  The results indicate that, 2.86 per cent of the households opined that the hired labour was adequate and 97.14 per cent of the households opined that the hired labour was inadequate.  The results indicate that, households of the Bandehalli-2 micro-watershed possess 33.02 ha (88.12 %) of dry land and 4.45 ha (11.88 %) of irrigated land. Marginal farmers possess 5.54 ha (100%) of dry land. Small farmers possess 19.39 ha (85.69 %) of dry land and 3.24 ha (14.31 %) of irrigated land. Semi medium farmers possess 8.09 ha (86.96 %) of dry land and 1.21 ha (13.04 %) of irrigated land.  The results indicate that, the average value of dry land was Rs. 311,853.40 and the average value of irrigated land was Rs. 583,818.18. In case of marginal famers, the average land value was Rs. 577,777.77 for dry land. In case of small famers, the average land value was Rs. 304,238 for dry land and Rs. 617,500 for irrigated land. In case of semi medium famers, the average land value was Rs. 148,200 for dry land and Rs. 494,000 for irrigated land.  The results indicate that, there were 2 de-functioning and 3 functioning bore wells in the micro watershed.  The results indicate that, bore well was the major irrigation source in the micro water shed for 5.88 per cent of the farmers.  The results indicate that, the depth of bore well was found to be 3.92 meters. 3  The results indicate that small farmers had an irrigated area of 4.13 ha respectively.  The results indicate that, farmers have grown red gram (11.56 ha), cotton (22.3 ha) and Paddy (3.64 ha). Marginal farmers have grown red gram and cotton. Small farmers have grown red gram, cotton and paddy. Semi medium farmers have grown cotton and paddy.  The results indicate that, the cropping intensity in Bandehalli-2 micro-watershed was found to be 100 per cent.  The results indicate that, 85.71 per cent of the households have bank account and savings.  The results indicate that, 85.71 per cent of the households have availed credit from different sources.  The results indicate that, 6.67 per cent of the households have borrowed from grameena bank and Commercial Bank.  The results indicate that, the average credit amount borrowed by households in micro-watershed was Rs, 9,000.  The results indicate that, 100 per cent of the households borrowed from institutional sources for the purpose of agricultural production.  The results indicated that 100 per cent of the households did not repay their loan borrowed from institutional sources.  The results indicate that, around 100 per cent opined that the loan amount borrowed from helped to perform timely agricultural operations.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for Cotton was Rs. 34387.52. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 52014.28. The net income from Cotton cultivation was Rs. 17626.76. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1: 1.51.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for Red gram was Rs. 22963.71. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 41329.76. The net income from Red gram cultivation was Rs. 18366.05. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1: 1.8.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for Paddy was Rs. 40081.91. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 65866.67. The net income from Paddy cultivation was Rs. 25784.76. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1: 1.64.  The results indicate that, 14.29 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was adequate  The results indicate that the annual gross income was Rs. 91,000 for landless farmers, for marginal farmers it was Rs. 81,743.75, for small farmers it was Rs. 115,472.22 and semi medium farmers it was Rs. 115,750. 4  The results indicate that the average annual expenditure is Rs. 9,244.17. For landless households it was Rs. 10,480, for marginal farmers it was Rs. 4,968.75, for small farmers it was Rs. 9,827.55 and for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 13,625.  The results indicate that, households have planted 10 teak, 50 Neem, 2 Banyan and 7 tamarind trees in their field and also 5 neem trees in their backyard.  The results indicated that, households have an average investment capacity of Rs. 571.43 for land development and households have an average investment capacity of Rs. 2,285.71 for irrigation facility.  The results indicated that government subsidy was the source of additional investment for 2.86 per cent each for irrigation facility. Own funds was the source of additional investment for 2.86 per cent each for land development.  The results indicated that, cotton was sold to the extent of 100 per cent, paddy was sold to the extent of 46.67 per cent and red gram to the extent of 78.02 per cent.  The results indicated that, about 8.57 per cent of the farmers sold their produce to local/village merchants, 77.14 per cent of the farmers sold their produce to regulated market and 2.86 per cent of the farmers sold their produce to Cooperative marketing Society.  The results indicated that, 88.57 per cent of the households have used tractor as a mode of transportation.  The results indicated that, 85.71 per cent of the households have experienced soil and water erosion problems in the farm.  The results indicated that, 85.71 per cent have shown interest in soil test.  The results indicated that, 97.14 per cent of the households used firewood as a source of fuel and 2.86 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 68.57 per cent of the households in the micro watershed and 31.43 per cent of the households used bore well.  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, 37.14 per cent of the households possess sanitary toilet facility.  The results indicated that, 100 per cent of the sampled households possessed BPL cards.  The results indicated that, 80 per cent of the households participated in NREGA programme.  The results indicated that, cereals were adequate for 97.14 per cent of the households, pulses were adequate for 94.29 per cent of the households, oilseed were adequate for 31.43 per cent of the households, vegetables were adequate for 28.57 per cent, fruits were adequate for 48.57 per cent, Milk were adequate for 20 5 per cent, Eggs were adequate for 22.86 per cent and meat were adequate for 22.86 per cent.  The results indicated that, pulses were inadequate for 2.86 per cent, oilseeds were inadequate for 65.71 per cent, vegetables were inadequate for 68.57 per cent, fruits were inadequate for 42.86 per cent, Egg were inadequate for 68.57 per cent, meat were inadequate for 71.43 per cent of the households and milk were inadequate for 57.14 per cent of the households.  The results indicated that, lower fertility status of the was the constraint experienced by 88.57 per cent of the households, wild animal menace on farm field (85.71 %), frequent incidence of pest and diseases (57.14 %), Inadequacy of irrigation water (11.43 %), High rate of interest on credit, Lack of marketing facilities in the area and Inadequate extension services (8.57 %), High cost of Fertilizers and plant protection chemicals (40 %), Low price for the agricultural commodities (22.86 %), lack of transport for safe transport of the Agril produce to the market (37.14 %), less rainfall (31.43 %) and Source of Agri-technology information (40 %).