LAND RESOURCE INVENTORY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF FARM HOUSEHOLDS FOR WATERSHED PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT SHETHALLI-2 (4D5B1P2e) MICROWATERSHED Sydhapur Hobli, Yadgir Taluk and District, Karnataka

Abstract

The land resource inventory of Shethalli-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 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 645 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 610 ha (95%) in the microwatershed is covered by soils, 5 ha by railway, 7 ha by rock outcrops and about 23 ha by others (habitation and water bodies). The salient findings from the land resource inventory are summarized briefly below.  The soils belong to 10 soil series and 21 soil phases (management units) and 5 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 70 per cent area of the microwatershed has soils that are moderately deep to very deep (75 - >150 cm) and 25 per cent soils are shallow to moderately shallow (25-75 cm).  About 35 per cent area in the microwatershed has loamy soils, 56 per cent clayey soils and 4 per cent are sandy at the surface.  About 90 per cent area of the microwatershed is non gravelly (<15%) and 5 per cent gravelly (15-35%) at the surface.  About 11 per cent area of the microwatershed is very low (<50 mm/m) in available water capacity, 8 per cent low (51-100 mm/m), 19 per cent medium (101-150 mm/m) and 56 per cent area is very high (>200 mm/m) in available water capacity.  Entire area in the microwatershed has very gently sloping (1-3% slope) lands.  An area of about 71 per cent is moderately (e2) eroded, 23 per cent severely eroded (e3) and about one per cent slightly eroded.  An area of about 2 per cent soils are slightly alkaline (pH 7.3-7.8), 31 per cent soils are moderately alkaline (7.8-8.4), 38 per cent soils are strongly alkaline (8.4-9.0) and 23 per cent soils are very strongly alkaline (>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 5 per cent of the soils are low (<0.5%), 59 per cent are medium (0.5- 0.75%) and 31 per cent soils are high (>0.75%) in organic carbon.  About 69 per cent area is low in available phosphorus and 26 per area is medium (23-57 kg/ha).  About 78 per cent is medium (145-337 kg/ha) in available potassium and 17 per cent is high (>337 kg/ha).  Available sulphur is low (<10 ppm) in an area of about 41 per cent, medium (10 -20 ppm) in 36 per cent area and high (>20 ppm) in 18 per cent area of the microwatershed.  Available boron is low (<0.5 ppm) in an area of about 27 per cent, medium (0.5-1.0 ppm) in an area of 44 per cent and high (>1.0 ppm) in 23 per cent area of the microwatershed.  Available iron is deficient (<4.5 ppm) in an area about 15 per cent and sufficient (>4.5 ppm) in an area of 79 per cent.  Available manganese and copper are sufficient in all the soils of the microwatershed.  Available zinc is deficient (<0.6 ppm) in the entire 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  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 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, 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. SALIENT FINDINGS OF THE SURVEY  The data indicated that there were 75 (61.98%) men and 46 (38.02 %) were women among the sampled households. The average family size of marginal farmers was 4.19, small farmers were 5, a semi medium farmer was 4.33, medium farmers were 4 and for large farmers it was 4.22.  There were 21(17.36%) people were in 0-15 years of age, 53 (43.8%) were in 16- 35 years of age, 40 (33.06 %) were in 36-60 years of age and 7 (5.79 %) were above 61 years of age.  The Shethalli-2 had 32.23 per cent illiterates, 14.05 per cent of them had primary school education, 5.79 per cent of them had middle school education, 21.49 per cent of them had high school education, 11.57 per cent of them had PUC education, 4.96 per cent of them had diploma, 0.83 per cent of them had ITI, 5.79 per cent of them had degree education and 3.31 per cent of them had masters education.  The results indicate that, 90 per cent of households practicing agriculture and 3.33 per cent of the household heads were general labourers and 3.33 percent of the households were housewife.  The results indicate that agriculture was the major occupation for 53.72 per cent of the household members, 0.83 per cent were general labourers, 4.13 per cent were private service, 23.14 per cent of them were in student ,14.88 per cent of them were housewife and 3.31 per cent of them were children . In case of landless households 33.33 per cent were general labourers. In case of marginal farmers 41.18 per cent were agriculturist, 29.41 per cent were student, and 11.76 per cent in housewife and 17.65 per cent were children. In case of small farmers, 57.14 per cent of the household members were practicing agriculture and 1.79 per cent of them were private sector. In case of semi medium farmers 46.67 per cent of the household members were practicing agriculture and 10 per cent of them were private service. In case of medium farmers, 77.78 per cent of the household members were practicing agriculture and 11.11 per cent were private sector. In case of large farmers, 83.33 per cent of the household members were practicing agriculture and 16.67 per cent were housewife.  The results indicate that 26.67 per cent of the households possess Katcha house and 70.0 per cent of them possess pucca house and 3.33 per cent of them possess semi pucca house.  The results shows that 3.33 per cent of the households possess radio, Cent per cent of the households possess TV, 23.33per cent of the households possess Mixer grinder, 30 per cent of the households possess motor cycle, 6.67 per cent of the households possess auto, 6.67 per cent of the households possess car/ four wheeler and Cent per cent of the households mobile phones. the average value of radio 2 was Rs.2000, television was Rs.9700, mixer grinder was Rs.2142, motor cycle was Rs.56400 and mobile phone was Rs.3588, Auto was 110000 and car/ four wheeler was 550000.  About 50 per cent of the households possess plough, 10 per cent of them possess tractor,46.67 per cent of them posses bullocks cart, 6.67 per cent of them power tiller , 13.33 per cent of them possess weeder, 3.33 per cent of them possess harvester and 6.67 per cent of the households possess sprayer. the average value of plough was Rs.4, 692, the average value of tractor was Rs. 750000 and the average value of sprayer was Rs.6000, the average value of bullock cart Rs.18,181, the average value of power tiller Rs.35000and the average value of harvester 10,000 and the average value of weeder Rs.1,160.  The results indicate that, 36.67 per cent of the households possess bullocks, 30 per cent of the households possess local cow.  Average own labour men available in the micro watershed was 1.29, average own labour (women) available was 1.1, average hired labour (men) available was 8.35 and average hired labour (women) available was 21.35.  The results indicate that, 53.33 per cent of the household opined that hired labour was adequate and 46.67 per cent of the households opined that hired labour was inadequate.  The results indicate that, 4 (3.31%) persons were migrated from the micro watershed which includes 1.79 persons from small medium farmers’ and 10 per cent of semi medium farmer category.  People have migrated on average of 632.5 Kms and average duration was months 13. Small farmers have migrated 600 Kms and on an average 12 months in a year. Semi medium farmers have migrated 665 Kms and on an average 14 months in a year.  Job/ work were the reason for migration for all the migrants.  Improved quality of the life was the major Positive consequences of migration for 50 per cent of the better children education persons migrated from small framers households.  Households of the Shethalli-2 micro watershed possess 52.52 ha (96.13%) of dry land and 2.11 ha (3.87%) of irrigated land.  The average value of dry land was Rs. 267994.14 and average value of irrigated was Rs.1, 89,272.  Marginal farmers had irrigated area of 2.43 hectares, and medium farmers had 6.88 hectares of irrigated land.  Farmers have grown cotton (15.71 ha), jowar (2.83 ha), paddy (0.8ha), red gram (8.94ha), sorghum (5.32 ha), cotton (1.21ha). Marginal farmers have grown red gram (0.81 ha) and sorghum (5.32ha), Small farmers have grown cotton (4.21ha), jowar (2.83ha), red gram (6.11 ha), Semi medium farmers have grown cotton (4.49 3 ha), red gram (1.62ha). Medium farmers have grown cotton (7 ha), red gram (0.4ha), sorghum (5.32ha).  The cropping intensity in Shethalli-2 micro watershed was found to be 59.67 per cent. In case of Marginal farmers it was 196.57 per cent, for small farmers it was 68.98 per cent, in case of semi medium farmers it was 42.55 per cent, medium farmers had cropping intensity of 48.54 per cent and large farmers had 10.88 per cent.  The results indicate that, 96.67 per cent of the households possess bank account and 80 per cent of them have savings. With respect to category wise account, 100 per cent of land less, 100 per cent of marginal, 100 per cent of small, medium and large farmers and 83.33 per cent of semi medium, possesses bank account. With respect to savings, 80 per cent of marginal, 85.71per cent of small, 66.67 per cent of semi medium farmers and 100 per cent of large farmers had savings in the bank account.  The results indicate that, 40 per cent of marginal, 42.86 per cent of small, 50 per cent semi medium, 33.33 per cent of medium farmers and 100 per cent of large farmers have borrowed credit from different sources.  The results indicate that, 78.57 per cent have availed loan in commercial banks, 7.14 per cent have availed loan in cooperative bank, 100 per cent have availed loan from friends and relatives, 42.86 per cent have availed loan from grameena bank, 7.14 per cent have availed loan from money lender and 28.57 per cent have availed loan from Traders.  The results indicate that, marginal, small, semi medium and large farmers have availed Rs.12500, Rs.20333.33, Rs. 115000 and Rs.25000 respectively.  The results indicate that, 43.75 per cent of the households have borrowed loan for agriculture, 6.25 per cent of them have borrowed loan for education and 50 per cent of them have borrowed loan for health. 66.67 per cent of marginal farmers, 50 per cent of small farmers, 25 per cent of semi medium farmers and 100 per cent of the medium farmers availed loan for Agriculture production. About 50 per cent of small and landless have availed loan for animal husbandry.  Results indicated that 90.91 per cent of the households have repaid private source of credit partially.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for cotton was Rs. 48441.68. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 57998.02. The net income from Cotton cultivation was Rs. 9556.34, thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.2.  The total cost of cultivation for red gram was Rs. 46729.38. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 67925.00. The net income from red gram cultivation was Rs. 21195.62. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.45. 4  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for red gram was Rs. 41504.09. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 100035.00. The net income from red gram cultivation was Rs. 58530.91. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:2.41.  The total cost of cultivation for red gram was Rs. 18417.27. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 72741.10. The net income from red gram cultivation was Rs. 54323.83. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:3.95  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for sorghum was Rs. 33786.79. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 44228.44. The net income from sorghum cultivation was Rs. 10441.65, thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.31.  The total cost of cultivation for paddy was Rs. 57080.03. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 80440.62. The net income from paddy cultivation was Rs. 23360.58. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.4.  The total cost of cultivation for jowar was Rs. 43896.78. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 59691.67. The net income from Jowar cultivation was Rs. 15794.89. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.36.  The results indicate that, 50 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was adequate which includes 80 per cent of marginal, 28.57 per cent of small, 83.33 per cent of medium and 100 per cent of large farmers. The data revealed that only 6.67 per cent of the households have opined that the green fodder is adequate which includes 20 per cent of marginal and 16.67 per cent of semi medium farmers.  sampled households have grown 2 custard apple among them marginal farmers have grown 2 and 3 mango among them small farmers and semi medium farmers.  The results indicate that, households have planted 5 teak, 76 Neem trees, 4 tamarind. Marginal farmers have planted 5 Neem, 1 tamarind; Small farmers have planted 23 neem and 1tamarinds. Semi medium farmers have planted 24 Neem, 2 tamarind and 5 teak trees. Medium farmers have planted 15 neem trees and large farmers 4.  Cotton, jowar, paddy, red gram, and sorghum were sold to the extent of production.  The results indicated that, About 73.33 per cent of the households have sold agricultural produce to the local/village merchants includes 100 per cent of the marginal farmers, 85.71per cent of the small farmers, 66.67 per cent of the semi medium farmers and 33.33 per cent medium farmers. About 23.33 per cent of the households have sold in regulated markets includes 14.29 per cent of small farmers, 33.33per cent of semi medium farmers, 66.67per cent of the medium farmers and 100 per cent of the large farmers. 5  The results indicated that 6.67 per cent of the households have use cart as mode of transport, 86.67 per cent have used tractor, and 3.33 per cent have used truck.  The results indicated that, the results indicated that, 20 per cent of the households have experienced the soil and water erosion problems i.e. 20 per cent of marginal farmers, 21.43 per cent of small farmers, 33.33 per cent of semi medium farmers.  The results indicated that, 96.67 per cent of the households have shown interest in soil testing i.e. 100 per cent of marginal farmers, 100 per cent of small farmers, 100 per cent of semi medium, 100 per cent of medium farmers and 100 per cent large farmers have shown interest in soil testing.  The results indicated that, 46.67 per cent of the households have adopted field bunding. Summer ploughing was adopted by 89.90 per cent of the households. About 3.33 per cent of the households have adopted farm pond. Contour bunding was adopted by 3.33 per cent of the households.  The results indicated that, 11 per cent of the households who adopted field bunding opined that bunds are good, 21.43 per cent opined that bunds are slightly damaged.  Piped supply was the major source for drinking water for 93.33 per cent includes 100 per cent of landless, 100 per cent of marginal, 92.9 per cent of small farmers, 83.33 per cent of semi medium and 100 per cent of medium and large farmers.  Electricity was the major source of light for all the households in micro watershed.  The results indicated that,33.33 per cent of the households possess sanitary toilet i.e. 100 per cent of landless, 20 per cent of marginal, 35.7 per cent of small, 17 per cent of semi medium and 33.33 per cent of medium farmers and 100 per cent of large farmers had sanitary toilet facility.  The results indicated that, Cent per cent of the households sampled possessed BPL card.  The results indicated that, Lower fertility status of the soil was the constraint experienced by 96.7 per cent of the households, wild animal menace on farm field (93.3%), frequent incidence of pest and diseases (43.3%), inadequacy of irrigation water (46.7%), high cost of Fertilizers and plant protection chemicals (90%), high rate of interest on credit (80%), low price for the agricultural commodities (90 %), lack of marketing facilities in the area (96.7%), inadequate extension services (46.7%), lack of transport for safe transport of the agricultural produce to the market (83.3%). Less rainfall (90%) and source of Agri–technology information (News paper/TV/Mobile)