LAND RESOURCE INVENTORY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF FARM HOUSEHOLDS FOR WATERSHED PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT NAGALAPUR-2 (4D5B1M1a) MICROWATERSHED Balichakra Hobli, Yadgir Taluk and District, Karnataka

Abstract

The land resource inventory of Nagalapur-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 624 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 581 ha (93%) in the microwatershed is covered by soils, 25 ha (4%) by rock outcrops and 19 ha (3%) 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 18 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 320 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 24 per cent area of the microwatershed has soils that are deep (100- 150 cm), 26 per cent soils are moderately deep (75-100 cm) and 43 per cent soils are very shallow to moderately shallow (<25-75 cm).  About 8 per cent area has sandy soils at the surface, 79 per cent area in the microwatershed has loamy soils and 6 per cent clayey soils.  Almost entire area of the microwatershed has non gravelly (<15%) soils at the surface and an area of 36 ha that are gravelly (15-35%).  About 42 per cent area of the microwatershed is very low (<50 mm/m) in available water capacity, 9 per cent low (51-100 mm/), 18 per cent medium (101-150 mm/m) and 24 per cent area is very high (>200 mm/m) in available water capacity.  An area of about 89 per cent has very gently sloping (1-3% slope) lands and 4 per cent has moderately sloping (5-10% slope) lands in the microwatershed lands.  An area of about 73 per cent are moderately (e2) eroded and 20 per cent area is severely (e3) eroded.  An area of about <1 per cent is moderately acid (pH 5.5-6.0), 10 per cent is slightly acid (pH 6.0-6.5), 42 per cent is neutral (pH 6.5-7.3), 26 per cent is slightly alkaline (pH 7.3-7.8), 14 per cent is moderately alkaline (pH 7.8- 8.4) and 1 per cent is strongly alkaline (pH 8.4-9.0).  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 21 per cent of soils are low (<0.5%), 32 per cent of soils are medium (0.5-0.75%) and 40 per cent of soils are high (>0.75%) in organic carbon.  About 50 per cent area is low (<23 kg/ha), 37 per cent area is medium (23- 57 kg/ha) and 6 per cent area is high (>57 kg/ha) in available phosphorus.  About 60 per cent is low (<145 kg/ha), 30 per cent is medium (145-337 kg/ha) and 4 per cent is high (>337 kg/ha) in available potassium.  Available sulphur is low (<10 ppm) in an area of about 77 per cent, 15 per cent of the soils are medium (10 -20 ppm) and high (>20 ppm) in 1 per cent area of the microwatershed.  Available boron is low (<0.5 ppm) in an area of about 19 per cent, medium (0.5-1.0 ppm) in an area of 55 per cent and high (>1.0 ppm) in 18 per cent area of the microwatershed.  Available iron is deficient (<4.5 ppm) in an area of about 15 per cent and sufficient (>4.5 ppm) in 78 per cent area of the microwatershed.  Available manganese is sufficient in all the soils of the microwatershed.  Available copper is deficient (<0.2 ppm) in an area of about 4 per cent and sufficient (>0.2 ppm) in 89 per cent area of the microwatershed.  Available zinc is deficient (<0.6 ppm) in a maximum area of about 84 per cent and sufficient (>0.6 ppm) in 9 per cent area of the microwatershed.  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 Microwatershed Crop Suitability Area in ha (%) Crop Suitability Area in ha (%) Highly suitable (S1) Moderately suitable (S2) Highly suitable (S1) Moderately suitable (S2) Sorghum 93(15) 227(37) Sapota - 138(22) Maize 93(15) 11(2) Pomegranate - 310(50) Bajra 93(15) 228(37) Musambi - 310(50) Groundnut - 146(23) Lime - 310(50) Sunflower - 310(50) Amla 93(15) 227(37) Redgram - 310(50) Cashew - - Bengal gram 129 (21) 147(24) Jackfruit - 138(22) Cotton 36 (6) 240(39) Jamun - 150(24) Chilli - 321(52) Custard apple 93(15) 228(37) Tomato 93(15) 56(9) Tamarind - 150(24) Drumstick - 310(50) Mulberry - 138(22) Mango - 36(6) Marigold - 321(52) Guava - 138(22) Chrysanthemum - 321(52)  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 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 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 95 (55.23%) men and 77 (44.77%) women among the sampled households.  The average family size of landless farmers’ was 7, marginal farmers’ was 4.2, small farmers’ was 4.4 and semi medium farmers were 5.5.  The data indicated that, 31 (18.02%) people were in 0-15 years of age, 77 (44.787%) were in 16-35 years of age, 55 (31.98%) were in 36-60 years of age and 9 (5.23%) were above 61 years of age.  The results indicated that Nagalapur-2 had 55.23 per cent illiterates, 21.51 per cent of them had primary school education, 5.81 per cent of them had middle school and PUC education, 0.58 per cent of them had ITI education and 1.16 per cent of them had degree education.  The results indicate that, 88.57 per cent of household heads were practicing agriculture and 8.57 per cent of the household heads were agricultural laborer and 2.94 per cent were general labour.  The results indicate that agriculture was the major occupation for 63.95 per cent of the household members, 9.30 per cent were agricultural laborers, 2.33 per cent were private service, 14.53 per cent were in student and 6.98 per cent were children.  The results show that, 100 per cent of the population in the micro watershed has not participated in any local institutions.  The results indicate that 5.71 per cent of the households possess thatched house, 91.43 per cent of the households possess katcha houses and 5.71 per cent of the households possess pucca/RCC.  The results show that 65.71 per cent of the households possess TV, 25.71 per cent of them possess mixer/grinder, 20 per cent of the households possess bicycle, 25.71 per cent of the households possess motor cycle, 2.86 per cent possess auto and 97.14 per cent of the households possess mobile phones.  The results show that the average value of television was Rs. 4,847, mixer/grinder was Rs. 1,000, bicycle was Rs.1,071, motor cycle was Rs. 40,555, auto was Rs.300,000 and mobile phone was Rs. 1,852.  About 25.71 per cent of the households possess Bullock cart, 51.43 per cent of them possess plough, 22.86 per cent of them possess seed/fertilizer drill and sprayer, and 60 per cent of them possess weeder, 2.86 per cent of them possess harvester and thresher and 11.43 per cent of them possess chaff cutter.  The result shows that, the average value of bullock cart was Rs. 19,111, plough was Rs. 2,233, seed/ fertilizer drill was Rs. 3,225, sprayer was Rs. 5,375, weeder was Rs. 394, Harvester was Rs.40,000, thresher Rs. 45,000 and chaff cutter Rs. 3,250. 2  The results indicate that, 54.29 per cent of the households possess bullocks, 28.57 per cent of the households possess local cow, 8.57 per cent of the households possess buffalo, sheep and goat, 5.71 per cent of the households possess poultry birds.  The results indicate that, average own labour men available in the micro watershed was 1.97, average own labour (women) available was 1.5, average hired labour (men) available was 11.78 and average hired labour (women) available was 7.53.  The results indicate that, 91.43 per cent of the households opined that the hired labour was adequate.  The results indicate that, households of the Nagalapur-2 micro-watershed possess 35.50 ha (84.05%) of dry land and 6.74 ha (15.95%) of irrigated land. Marginal farmers possess 5.74 ha (100%) of dry land. Small farmers possess 22.01 ha (92.83%) of dry land and 1.7 ha (7.71%) of irrigated land. Semi medium farmers possess 7.74 ha (60.58%) of dry land and 5.04 ha (39.42%) of irrigated land.  The results indicate that, the average value of dry land was Rs. 363,276.71 and the average value of irrigated land was Rs. 593,393.39. In case of marginal famers, the average land value was Rs. 609,231.85 for dry land. In case of small famers, the average land value was Rs. 342,866.34 for dry land and Rs. 940,952.37 for irrigated land. In case of semi medium famers, the average land value was Rs. 238,865.65 for dry land and the average land value was Rs. 476,144.58 of irrigated land.  The results indicate that, there were 2 de-functioning and 5 functioning bore well in the micro watershed.  The results indicate that, bore well was the major irrigation source in the micro water shed for 14.29 per cent of the farmers.  The results indicate that, the depth of bore well was found to be 14.54 meters.  The results indicate that small and semi-medium farmers had an irrigated area of 0.89 ha and 3.24 ha, respectively.  The results indicate that, farmers have grown red gram (23.42 ha), groundnut (10.02 ha), cotton (2.43 ha), jowar (1.62 ha), turmeric and sunflower (1.34 ha), crossandra (0.89 ha) and green gram (0.85 ha).  The results indicate that, the cropping intensity in Nagalapur-2 micro-watershed was found to be 100 per cent.  The results indicate that, 91.43 per cent of the households have bank account and 62.86 per cent of the households have savings.  The results indicate that, 68.57 per cent of the households have availed credit from different sources.  The results indicate that, 44.44 per cent of the households have borrowed from commercial bank and money lender, 11.11 per cent of the households have 3 cooperative bank and SHGs/CBOs, 22.22 per cent of the households have borrowed from friends/relatives and 211.11 per cent of the households have borrowed from grameena bank.  The results indicate that, the average credit amount borrowed by households in micro-watershed was Rs, 377,444.44. The results indicate that, 100 per cent of the households borrowed from institutional sources for the purpose of agricultural production.  The results indicated that 85.71 per cent of the households borrowed from private source for the purpose of agricultural production and 14.29 per cent of the households borrowed from private source for the purpose of animal husbandry.  The results indicated that 95.83 per cent of the households unpaid their loan borrowed from institutional sources.  The results indicated that 100 per cent of the households did not repay their loan borrowed from private sources.  The results indicate that, around 16.67 per cent opined that the loan amount borrowed from helped to perform timely agricultural operations.  The results indicate that, around 42.86 per cent opined that the loan amount was high rate of interest.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for red gram was Rs. 29091.25. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 59044.92. The net income from red gram cultivation was Rs. 29953.67. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:2.03.  The total cost of cultivation for cotton was Rs. 44712.07. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 88920. The net income from cotton cultivation was Rs. 44207.93. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.99.  The total cost of cultivation for Sorghum was Rs. 15655.40. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 12350. The net income from Sorghum cultivation was Rs. -3305.40. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.79.  The total cost of cultivation for groundnut was Rs. 67588.48. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 74776.14. The net income from groundnut cultivation was Rs. 7187.66. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.11.  The total cost of cultivation for coconut was Rs. 50726.90. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 47247.17. The net income from coconut cultivation was Rs. -3479.73. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.93.  The total cost of cultivation for thale was Rs. 14449.20. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 50298.18. The net income from thale cultivation was Rs. 35848.98. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:3.48.  The total cost of cultivation for green gram was Rs. 32814.59. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 56013.98. The net income from green gram cultivation was Rs. 23199.39. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.71. 4  The total cost of cultivation for safflower was Rs. 26224.88. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 37496.39. The net income from safflower cultivation was Rs. 11271.51. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.43.  The results indicate that, 31.43 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was adequate, 2.86 per cent of the households opined that green fodder was inadequate and 14.29 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was inadequate.  The results indicate that the annual gross income was Rs. 35,000 for landless farmers, for marginal farmers it was Rs. 119,157.14, for small farmers it was Rs. 78,492.35 and for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 196,885.71.  The results indicate that the average annual expenditure is Rs. 9,842.93. For landless households it was Rs. 12,500, for marginal farmers it was Rs. 16,948.98, for small farmers it was Rs. 2,747.78 and for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 18,449.66.  The results indicate that, households have planted 26 neem and 2 tamarind and banyan trees in their field.  The results indicated that, households have an average investment capacity of Rs. 3,571.43 for land development, households have an average investment capacity of Rs. 11,000 for irrigation facility, households have an average investment capacity of Rs. 600 for improved crop production, households have an average investment capacity of Rs. 3,000 for improved livestock management.  The results indicated that government subsidy was the source of additional investment for 11.43 per cent for land development and irrigation facility, 2.86 per cent for improved livestock management. Loan from bank was the source of additional investment for 2.86 per cent for improved livestock management. Own funds were the source of additional investment for 2.86 per cent for improved crop production and improved livestock management. Soft loan was the source of additional investment for 8.57 per cent for land development and improved crop production and 2.86 per cent for improved livestock management.  The results indicated that, coconut, cotton, green gram, safflower and thale was sold to the extent of 100 per cent, groundnut was sold to the extent of 72.22 per cent and red gram was sold to the extent of 91.49 per cent.  The results indicated that, 41.18 per cent of the farmers sold their produce to local/village merchants and 32.35 per cent of them sold in regulated markets.  The results indicated that, 88.57 per cent of the households have used tractor as a mode of transportation for their agricultural produce.  The results indicated that, 22.86 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. 5  The results indicated that, 2.86 per cent of the households used dung cake, 77.14 per cent of the households used fire wood, 8.57 per cent of the households used kerosene and 25.71 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 97.14 per cent and 2.86 per cent of the households used bore well in the micro watershed.  Electricity was the major source of light for 100 per cent of the households in micro watershed.  The results indicated that, 60 per cent of the households possess sanitary toilet facility.  The results indicated that, 2.86 per cent of the sampled households possessed APL card and 97.14 per cent of the sampled households possessed BPL card.  The results indicated that, 77.14 per cent of the households participated in NREGA programme.  The results indicated that, cereals were adequate for 94.29 per cent of the households, pulses were adequate for 91.43 per cent, oilseed were adequate for 42.86 per cent, vegetables and milk were adequate for 40 per cent, fruits was adequate for 34.29 per cent and egg were adequate for 2.86 per cent.  The results indicated that, cereals and pulses were inadequate for 8.57 per cent of the households, oilseed were inadequate for 57.14 per cent, vegetables and milk were inadequate for 60 per cent, fruits was inadequate for 62.86 per cent, milk and meat were inadequate for 85.71 per cent.  The results indicated that, lower fertility status of the soil, high cost of Fertilizers and plant protection chemicals and high rate of interest on credit was the constraint experienced by 94.29 per cent of the households, wild animal menace on farm field (77.14%). frequent incidence of pest and diseases (85.71%), low price for the agricultural commodities (82.86%), inadequacy of irrigation water (51.43%), Lack of transport for safe transport of the Agril produce to the market (80%), lack of marketing facilities in the area (71.43%) and inadequate extension services (48.57%).