LAND RESOURCE INVENTORY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF FARM HOUSEHOLDS FOR WATERSHED PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT BADAL (4D5B1R2d) MICROWATERSHED Sydhapur Hobli, Yadgir Taluk and District, Karnataka

Abstract

The land resource inventory of Badal 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 boundaries. The soil map shows the geographic distribution and extent, characteristics, classification, behavior and use potentials of the soils in the microwatershed. The present study covers an area of 587 ha in Yadgir taluk & district, Karnataka. The climate is semiarid and categorized as drought-prone 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 572 ha in the microwatershed is covered by soils, 16 ha by others (water bodies). The salient findings from the land resource inventory are summarized briefly below.  The soils belong to 5 soil series and 6 soil phases (management units) and 4 land use class.  The length of crop growing period is about 120-150 days starting from 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 250 m grid interval.  Land suitability for growing 26 major agricultural and horticultural crops was assessed and maps showing the degree of suitability along with constraints were generated.  Entire area in the microwatershed is suitable for agriculture.  About 96 per cent area of the microwatershed has soils that are moderately deep to very deep (75 - >150 cm) and <1 per cent soils are shallow (25-50 cm).  Entire area in the microwatershed has clayey soils at the surface.  Entire area in the microwatershed is non gravelly (<15%).  About 75 per cent area of the microwatershed is very high (>200 mm/m) in available water capacity, 21 per cent is medium (101-150 mm/m) and about one per cent area is very low (<50 mm/m) in available water capacity.  Entire area in the microwatershed has very gently sloping (1-3% slope) lands.  An area of about 96 per cent is moderately (e2) eroded and 1 per cent area is severely (e3) eroded.  An area of about 19 per cent soils are slightly to moderately alkaline (pH 7.3-8.4) in soil reaction, 66 per cent soils are strongly alkaline (8.4 - 9.0) and 12 per cent very strongly alkaline (pH >9.0)  The Electrical Conductivity (EC) of the soils in the entire area of the microwatershed is dominantly <2 dsm-1indicating that the soils are nonsaline.  About 54 per cent of the soils are low (<0.5%) in organic carbon, 36 per cent medium (0.5-0.75%) and 8 per cent high (>0.75).  About 54 per cent area is low in available phosphorus, 36 per area is medium (23-57 kg/ha) and 8 per cent is high (>57 kg/ha).  About 11per cent is medium (145-337 kg/ha) in available potassium and 87 per cent is high (>337 kg/ha).  Available sulphur is low (<10 ppm) in an area of about 46 per cent, medium (10 -20 ppm) in 51 per cent and high (>20 ppm) in 1 per cent area of the microwatershed.  Available boron is low (<0.5 ppm) in an area of about 26 per cent, medium (0.5-1.0 ppm) in an area of 47 per cent and high (>1.0 ppm) in 24 per cent area.  Available iron is sufficient (>4.5 ppm) in 24 per cent area and deficient in 74 per cent area of the microwatershed.  Available manganese and copper are sufficient in all the soils of the microwatershed.  Available zinc is deficient (<0.6 ppm) in an area of 96 per cent and sufficient (>0.6 ppm) in 2 per cent area of the microwatershed.  The land suitability for 26 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, market 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 332(57) 231(39) Sapota - - Maize - 564(96) Pomegranate - 564(96) Bajra - 563(96) Musambi 386(66) 178(30) Groundnut - 563(96) Lime 386(66) 178(30) Sunflower 278(47) 285(49) Amla 332(57) 231(39) Redgram - 564(96) Cashew - - Bengal gram 440 (75) 124(21) Jackfruit - - Cotton 440(75) 124(21) Jamun - 440(75) Chilli - 456(78) Custard apple 564(96) - Tomato - - Tamarind - 440(75) Drumstick - 564(96) Mulberry - - Mango - - Marigold - 564(96) Guava - - Chrysanthemum - 564(96)  Apart from the individual crop suitability, a proposed crop plan has been prepared for the 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.  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 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, field bunds and also in the hillocks, mounds and ridges. This would help in not only supplementing the farm income but also provide fodder and fuel and generate lot of biomass which would help in maintaining an ecological balance and also contribute to mitigating the climate change. FINDINGS OF THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC SURVEY  The survey was conducted in Badal is located at North latitude 160 31’ 39.345” and 160 29’ 32.556” and East longitude 770 15’ 51.422” and 770 14’ 3.803” covering an area of about 587.10 ha coming under Kondapura, Badiyala and Sangavara villages of Yadagiri taluk.  Socio-economic analysis of Badal micro watersheds of Mungal sub-watershed, Yadgir taluk & District indicated that, out of the total sample of 33 total respondents, 11 (33.33 %) were marginal, 13 (39.39%)were small and 5 (15.15 %) were Semi medium farmers.  The population characteristics of households indicated that, there were 68 (55.74%) men and 54 (44.26 %) were women.  Majority of the respondents (40.16%) were in the age group of 16-35 years.  Education level of the sample households indicated that, there were 46.72 per cent illiterates, 50.01 per cent pre university education and 4.92 per cent attained graduation.  About, 78.79 per cent of household heads practicing agriculture and 9.09 per cent of the household heads were engaged as agricultural labourers.  Agriculture was the major occupation for 60.66 per cent of the household members.  In the study area, 90.91 per cent of the households possess katcha house.  The durable assets owned by the households showed that, 84.85 per cent possess TV, 42.42 per cent possess mixer grinder, 66.67 per cent possess mobile phones and 9.09 per cent possess motor cycles.  Farm implements owned by the households indicated that, 42.42 per cent of the households possess plough, 6.06 per cent possess tractor, 33.33 per cent possess bullock cart and 9.09 per cent possess sprayer.  Regarding livestock possession by the households, 6.06 per cent possess local cow.  The average labour availability in the study area showed that, own men and women labour availability in the micro watershed was 14.79 each, while the hired labour (men) availability was 1.72.  Out of the total land holding of the sample respondents 100.00 per cent (38.39 ha) of the area is under dry condition.  The major crops grown by sample farmers are and cropping intensity was recorded as 99.22 per cent.  Out of the sample households 6.06 percent possessed bank account.  About 6.06 per cent of the respondents borrowed credit from various sources.  The per hectare cost of cultivation for Cotton, Redgram and Sorghum of Rs.50497.60, 40293.72 and 54888.46 with benefit cost ratio of 1:1.30, 1: 1.30 and 1: 1.30 respectively. 2  Further, 81.82 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was adequate and 9.09 per cent of the households have opined that the green fodder was adequate.  The average annual gross income of the farmers was Rs. 109253.03 in microwatershed, of which Rs. 61828.79 comes from agriculture.  Sampled households have grown 51 forestry trees together in the fields and back yards.  Regarding marketing channels, 87.88 per cent of the households have sold agricultural produce to the local/village merchants.  Further, 87.88 per cent of the households have used tractor for the transport of agriculture commodity.  Majority of the farmers (87.88%) have experienced soil and water erosion problems in the watershed and 84.85 per cent of the households were interested towards soil testing.  Fire was the major source of fuel for domestic use for 93.94 per cent of the households and 3.03 per cent households has LPG connection.  Piped supply was the major source for drinking water for 12.12 per cent of the households.  Electricity was the major source of light for 100.00 per cent of the households.  In the study area, 100.00 per cent of the households possess toilet facility.  Regarding possession of PDS card, 100.00 per cent of the households possessed.  Households opined that, the requirement of cereals (100.00%), pulses (81.82%) and oilseeds (24.24%) are adequate for consumption.  Farming constraints experienced by households in the micro watersheds were lower fertility status of the soil (90.91%) wild animal menace on farm field (87.88%), frequent incidence of pest and diseases (78.79%), inadequacy of irrigation water (12.12%), high cost of fertilizers and plant protection chemicals (81.82%), high rate of interest on credit (45.45%), low price for the agricultural commodities (66.67%), lack of marketing facilities in the area (57.58%), inadequate extension services (3.03%) and lack of transport for safe transport of the agricultural produce to the market (39.39%).