LAND RESOURCE INVENTORY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF FARM HOUSEHOLDS FOR WATERSHED PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DADDEGALLU-2 (4D4A1T1f) MICRO WATERSHED Koppal Taluk and District, Karnataka

Abstract

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The land resource inventory of Daddegallu-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, behavior and use potentials of the soils in the microwatershed. The present study covers an area of 514 ha in Koppal taluk and district, Karnataka. The climate is semiarid and categorized as drought - prone with an average annual rainfall of 662 mm, of which about 424 mm is received during south–west monsoon, 161 mm during north-east and the remaining 77 mm during the rest of the year. An area of about 99 per cent is covered by soils, <1 per cent by water bodies, settlements and others. The salient findings from the land resource inventory are summarized briefly below.  The soils belong to 5 soil series and 9 soil phases (management units) and 3 land use classes.  The length of crop growing period is <90 days and starts from 2nd week of August to 2nd week of November.  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 28 major agricultural and horticultural crops were assessed and maps showing the degree of suitability along with constraints were generated.  Entire area is suitable for agriculture.  About 8 per cent of the soils are shallow (25-50 cm), 21 per cent are moderately shallow (50-75 cm), 24 per cent of the soils are moderately deep (75-100 cm), about 27 per cent are deep soils (100-150 cm) and 18 per cent area are very deep (>150 cm) in soils.  Entire area of the microwatershed has clayey soils at the surface.  About 80 per cent of the area has non-gravelly (<15%) soils and 19 per cent gravelly soils (15-35 % gravel) soils.  About 30 per cent are low (51-100 mm/m), 24 per cent are medium (101-150 mm/m), 45 per cent are very high (151-200 mm/m) in available water capacity.  About <1 per cent area has nearly level (0-1%), 99 per cent area has very gently sloping (1-3%) lands.  An area of about 91 per cent has soils that are slightly eroded (e1) and 9 per cent moderately eroded (e2) lands.  An area of about 59 per cent are strongly alkaline (pH 7.3 to 9.0) and 40 per cent are very strongly alkaline (pH >9.0).  The Electrical Conductivity (EC) of all the soils is <2 dS m-1 and as such the soils are non-saline.  Organic carbon content is low (<0.5%) in about 63 per cent and 37 per cent of the soils are medium (0.5-0.75%) in organic carbon.  All the soils of the microwatershed are low (<23 kg/ha) in available phosphorous content.  All the soils of the microwatershed are high (>337 kg/ha) in available potassium content.  Available sulphur is low (<10 ppm) in about 80 per cent, medium (10-20 ppm) in 19 per cent and about <1 per cent area is high (>20 ppm).  Available boron is low (0.5 ppm) in about 8 per cent area, 86 per cent area is medium (0.5-1.0 ppm) and high (>1.0 ppm) in about 5 per cent.  Available iron is sufficient (>4.5 ppm) in 34 per cent and deficient (<4.5 ppm) in 66 per cent area.  Available zinc is deficient (<0.6 ppm) in 74 per cent and sufficient (>0.6 ppm) in about 25 per cent area.  Available manganese and copper are sufficient in all the soils.  The land suitability for 28 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 315 (61) 153 (30) Pomegranate - 358 (70) Maize - - Guava - - Bajra - - Jackfruit - - Red gram - 357 (70) Jamun - 232 (45) Bengalgram 357 (70) 110 (21) Musambi 190 (37) 168 (33) Groundnut - - Lime 190 (37) 168 (33) Sunflower 190 (37) 168 (33) Cashew - - Cotton 357 (70) 110 (21) Custard apple 357 (70) 110 (21) Chilli - - Amla - 467 (91) Tomato - - Tamarind - 232 (45) Drumstick - 358 (70) Marigold - 468 (91) Mulberry - 265 (52) Chrysanthemum - 468 (91) Mango - - Jasmine - 110 (21) Sapota - - Crossandra - 233 (45) Apart from the individual crop suitability, a proposed crop plan has been prepared for the 3 identified LUCs 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 productivity and ecological balance in the microwatershed.  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. That 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 indicated that there were 95 (57.23%) men and 71(42.77%) women among the sampled households.  The average family size of landless farmers’ was 3.6, marginal farmers’ was 5.4, small farmers’ was 4.5, semi medium farmers’ was 3, medium farmers’ was 6.6 and large farmers’ were 3.  The data indicated that, 28 (16.87%) people were in 0-15 years of age, 73 (43.98%) were in 16-35 years of age, 53 (31.93%) were in 36-60 years of age and 12 (7.23%) were above 61 years of age.  The results indicated that Daddegallu-2 had 22.89 per cent illiterates, 25.90 per cent of them had primary school education, 13.86 per cent of them had middle school education, 18.67 per cent of them had high school education, 7.83 per cent of them had PUC education, 0.60 per cent had ITI, 4.82 per cent had degree and 1.20 per cent had masters education.  The results indicate that, 85.71 per cent of household heads were practicing agriculture and 14.29 per cent of household heads were practicing agriculture labour.  The results indicate that agriculture was the major occupation for 32.53 per cent of the household members, 39.76 per cent were agricultural labourers, 1.20 per cent were in private service, trade and business and housewives, 18.07 per cent were in students and 4.22 per cent were in children.  The results show that, 0.60 per cent of the population has participated in gram panchayat, sthree shakthi sangha and user group and 98.19 per cent of the population has not participated in any local institutions.  The results indicate that 5.71 per cent of the households possess thatched house, 65.71 per cent of the households possess katcha house, 8.57 per cent of the households possess pucca/RCC house and 20 per cent of them possess semi pacca house.  The results show that 91.43 per cent of the households possess TV, 2.86 per cent of them possess DVD/VCD player, 82.86 per cent of them possess mixer/grinder player, 8.57 per cent of them possess refrigerator, 20 per cent of them possess bicycle, 40 per cent o f the households possess motor cycle and 91.43 per cent of them possess mobile phones.  The results show that the average value of television was Rs. 5,187, DVD/VCD player was Rs.1,500, mixer grinder was Rs. 2,172, refrigerator was 13,666, bicycle was 1,033, motor cycle was Rs. 29,235 and mobile phone was Rs. 2,053.  About 22.86 per cent of the households possess bullock cart, 34.29 per cent of them possess plough, 2.86 per cent of them possess power tiller and earth 2 mover/duster, 8.57 per cent of them possess tractor, 17.14 per cent of them possess sprayer, 62.86 per cent of them possess weeder and 11.43 per cent of them possess chaff cutter.  The results show that the average value of bullock cart was Rs. 13,625, plough was Rs. 2,208, power tiller was Rs.6,000, tractor was Rs. 266,666, sprayer was Rs. 2,266, weeder was Rs.34, chaff cutter was Rs.1,575, and the average value of harvester was Rs. 9,000.  The results indicate that, 37.14 per cent of the households possess bullocks, 20 per cent of the households possess local cow and 8.57 per cent possess buffalo.  The results indicate that, average own labour men available in the micro watershed was 1.64, average own labour (women) available was 1.44, average hired labour (men) available was 6.26 and average hired labour (women) available was 6.83.  The results indicate that, 37.14 per cent of the households opined that the hired labour was adequate and 65.71 per cent of the households opined that the hired labour was inadequate.  The results indicate that, households of the Daddegallu-2 micro-watershed possess 43.91 ha (89.15%) of dry land and 5.34 ha (10.85%) of irrigated land. Marginal farmers possess 4.70 ha (100%) of dry land. Small farmers possess 114.31 ha (100%) of dry land. Semi medium farmers possess 19.35 ha (100%) of dry land. Medium farmers possess 4.55 ha (46.01%) of dry land and 5.34 ha (53.99%) of irrigated land. Large farmers possess 1 ha (100%).  The results indicate that, the average value of dry land was Rs. 293,641.14 and the average value of irrigated land was Rs. 168,409.09. In case of marginal famers, the average land value was Rs. 658,950.09 for dry land. In case of small famers, the average land value was Rs. 286,478.08 for dry land. In case of semi medium famers, the average land value was Rs. 201,442.91 for dry land. In case of medium farmers, the average land value was Rs. 219,555.56 for dry land and Rs. 168,409.09 for irrigated land. In case of large farmers, the average land value was Rs. 799,999.98 for dry land.  The results indicate that, there were 2 functioning bore wells in the micro watershed. The results indicate that, bore well was the major irrigation source in the micro water shed for 5.71 per cent of the farmers.  The results indicate that, the depth of bore well was found to be 3.66 meters.  The results indicate that medium farmers had an irrigated area of 5.34 ha respectively.  The results indicate that, farmers have grown bajra (0.45 ha), Bengal gram (18.93 ha), maize (21.68 ha), red gram (0.83 ha), sugarcane (2.91 ha), sunflower (2.43 ha) and sorghum (1.58 ha). Marginal farmers have grown bajra, maize, red gram, and Bengal gram. Small farmers have grown maize, Bengal gram and 3 sorghum. Semi medium farmers have grown Bengal gram, maize and sunflower. Medium farmers have grown maize, sugarcane and Bengal gram. Large farmers have grown maize.  The results indicate that, the cropping intensity in Daddegallu-2 micro-watershed was found to be 88.24 per cent.  The results indicate that, 25.71 per cent of the households have bank account and savings.  The results indicate that, 25.71 per cent of the households have availed credit from different sources.  The results indicate that, 33.33 per cent of the households have borrowed from commercial bank and 11.11 per cent of the households borrowed from grameena bank.  The results indicate that, the average credit amount borrowed by households in micro-watershed was Rs, 20,555.56.  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 institutional sources helped to perform timely agricultural operations.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for bajra was Rs. 52976.53. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 27566.96. The net income from bajra cultivation was Rs. -25409.57. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.52.  The total cost of cultivation for Bengal gram was Rs. 31340.80. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 48747.50. The net income from Bengal gram cultivation was Rs. 17406.70. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.56.  The total cost of cultivation for maize was Rs. 33306.05. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 31811.29. The net income from maize cultivation was Rs. -1494.76. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.96.  The total cost of cultivation for sugarcane was Rs. 23431.09. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 120069.45. The net income from sugarcane cultivation was Rs. 96638.36. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:5.12.  The total cost of cultivation for sunflower was Rs. 33305.25. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 43032.89. The net income from sunflower cultivation was Rs. 9727.64. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.29.  The total cost of cultivation for sorghum was Rs. 13117.18. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 21660. The net income from sorghum cultivation was Rs. 8542.82. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.65. 4  The results indicate that, 20 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was adequate, 2.86 per cent of the households opined that green fodder was adequate and 5.71 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was inadequate.  The results indicate that the annual gross income was Rs. 47,000 for landless farmers, for marginal farmers it was Rs. 62,800, for small farmers it was Rs. 80,880, for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 166,400, for medium farmers it was Rs.309,533.33 and large farmers it was Rs. 50,000.  The results indicate that the average annual expenditure is Rs. 13,197.07. For landless households it was Rs. 3,480, for marginal farmers it was Rs. 6,950, for small farmers it was Rs. 6,740, for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 13,221.09, for medium farmers it was Rs. 66,666.67 and for large farmers Rs. 22,000.  The results indicate that, households have planted 36 neem trees in their field.  The results indicated that, bajra, sorghum, sugarcane and sunflower was sold to the extent of 100 per cent, Bengal gram was sold to the extent of 111.03 per cent and maize was sold to the extent of 98.58 per cent.  The results indicated that, about 20 per cent of the farmers sold their produce to agent/traders. 17.14 per cent of the farmers sold their produce to local/village merchant, 54.29 per cent of them sold their produce through regulated market and 2.86 per cent of them sold their produce through cooperative marketing society.  The results indicated that, 11.43 per cent of the households used cart, 80 per cent of the households used tractor and 2.86 per cent of them used truck as a mode of transportation for their agricultural produce.  The results indicated that, 20 per cent of the households have experienced soil and water erosion problems in the farm.  The results indicated that, 48.57 per cent have shown interest in soil test.  The results indicated that, 100 per cent of the households used firewood as a source of fuel.  The results indicated that, piped supply was the major source of drinking water for 37.14 per cent of the households, bore well was the source of drinking water for 45.71 per cent of the households and 17.14 per cent of the households used open well in micro watershed.  Electricity was the major source of light for 100 per cent of the households in micro watershed.  The results indicated that, 51.43 per cent of the households possess sanitary toilet facility.  The results indicated that, 97.14 per cent of the sampled households possessed BPL card and 2.86 per cent of the sampled households not possessed PDS card.  The results indicated that, 60 per cent of the households participated in NREGA programme. 5  The results indicated that, cereals were adequate for 88.57 per cent of the households, pulses were adequate for 62.86 per cent, oilseeds were adequate for 34.29 per cent, vegetables were adequate for 42.86 per cent, fruits were adequate for 48.57 per cent, milk were adequate for 51.43 per cent, egg were adequate for 28.57 per cent and meat was adequate for 25.71 per cent.  The results indicated that, cereals were inadequate for 11.43 per cent, pulses were inadequate for 37.14 per cent of the households, oilseeds were inadequate for 62.86 per cent, vegetables were inadequate for 57.14 per cent, fruits were inadequate for 37.14 per cent, milk were inadequate for 42.86 per cent, egg were inadequate for 60 per cent and meat were inadequate for 51.43 per cent of the households.  The results indicated that, lower fertility status of the soil was the constraint experienced by 65.71 per cent of the households, wild animal menace on farm field, frequent incidence of pest and diseases and high rate of interest on credit (48.57%), inadequacy of irrigation water (42.86%), high cost of fertilizers and plant protection chemicals (57.14%), low price for the agricultural commodities (28.57%), lack of marketing facilities in the area and source of Agri-technology information (37.14%), inadequate extension services (34.29%), lack of transport for safe transport of the agricultural produce to the market (40%) and less rainfall (60%).