LAND RESOURCE INVENTORY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF FARM HOUSEHOLDS FOR WATERSHED PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT YADGIR RF-1 (4D2D6A2b) MICROWATERSHED Gurumitkal Hobli, Yadgir Taluk and District, Karnataka

Abstract

The land resource inventory of Yadgir RF1Microwatershed 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 643 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 339 ha in the microwatershed is covered by soils, 293 ha by forest and 11 ha by others (habitation and water body). The salient findings from the land resource inventory are summarized briefly below.  The soils belong to 8 soil series and 12 soil phases (management units) and 4 land management units.  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 29 major agricultural and horticultural crops was assessed and maps showing the degree of suitability along with constraints were generated.  About 53 per cent area in the microwatershed is suitable for agriculture.  About 29 per cent area is very shallow (<25 cm), 20 per cent area is shallow (25- 50 cm), <1 per cent area is moderately shallow (50-75 cm) and 4 per cent area of the microwatershed has soils that are deep to very deep (100->150 cm).  About 10 per cent area in the microwatershed has sandy soils, 4 per cent loamy soils and 38 per cent clayey soils at the surface.  About 10 per cent area in the microwatershed is gravelly (15-35%) and 42 per cent is non gravelly (<15%).  About 49 per cent is very low (<50 mm/m) in available water capacity and 4 per cent is very high (>200 mm/m).  About 44 per cent area in the microwatershed has very gently sloping (1-3% slope) lands and 9 per cent has gently sloping (3-5% slope) lands.  An area of about 3 per cent is slightly eroded (e1), 17 per cent is moderately (e2) eroded and 33 per cent area is severely (e3) eroded.  An area of about <1 per cent is slightly acid (pH 6.0-6.5) in soil reaction, 51 per cent area is neutral (pH 6.5-7.3) and 1 per cent is slightly alkaline (pH 7.3-7.8).  The Electrical Conductivity (EC) of entire soils of the microwatershed is dominantly <2 dsm-1indicating that the soils are non-saline.  About 5 per cent of the soils are medium (0.5-0.75%) in organic carbon content and 47 per cent area is high (>0.75%).  An area of about 34 per cent is medium (23-57 kg/ha) in available phosphorus, 6 per cent is high (>57 kg/ha) and 13 per cent area is low (<23 kg/ha) in the microwatershed.  About 9 per cent is low (<145 kg/ha) in available potassium, 39 per cent is medium (145-337 kg/ha) and 6 per cent is high (>337 kg/ha) in the microwatershed.  Available sulphur is medium (10-20 ppm) in 31 per cent area and low (<10 ppm) in 22 per cent area of the microwatershed.  Available boron is low (<0.5 ppm) in an area of about 36 per cent and medium (0.5-1.0 ppm) in 17 per cent area of the microwatershed.  Available iron is sufficient (>4.5 ppm) in the entire cultivated area of the microwatershed.  Available manganese and copper are sufficient in all the cultivated soils of the microwatershed.  Available zinc is deficient (<0.6 ppm) in an area of 29 per cent and sufficient (>0.6 ppm) in 24 per cent of cultivated area of the microwatershed.  The land suitability for 29 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 1 (<1) 7 (1) Guava - - Maize - 8 (1) Sapota - - Bajra - 8 (1) Pomegranate - 8 (1) Groundnut - - Musambi 8(1) - Sunflower 1(<1) 7(1) Lime 8(1) - Redgram - 8 (1) Amla - 8(1) Bengal gram 8(1) - Cashew - - Cotton 8(1) - Jackfruit - - Chilli - 1(<1) Jamun - 8(1) Tomato - 1(<1) Custard apple 8(1) - Brinjal - 8(1) Tamarind - 8(1) Onion - - Mulberry - - Bhendi - 8(1) Marigold - 8(1) Drumstick - 8 (1) Chrysanthemum - 8(1) Mango - -  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. The data on households sampled for socio economic survey indicated that 35 farmers were sampled in Yadgiri Rf-1 micro-watershed among them 5 (14.29 %) were landless, 12 (34.29 %) were marginal farmers, 15 (42.86 %) were small farmers and 3 (8.57 %) were semi medium farmers.  The data indicated that there were 86 (50 %) men and 86 (50 %) women among the sampled households. The average family size of landless farmers’ was 3.6, marginal farmers’ was 4.66, small farmers’ was 5.33 and semi medium farmers’ was 6.  The data indicated that, 18 (10.47 %) people were in 0-15 years of age, 82 (47.67 %) were in 16-35 years of age, 60 (34.88 %) were in 36-60 years of age and 12 (6.98 %) were above 61 years of age.  The results indicated that Yadgiri Rf-1 had 58.72 per cent illiterates, 16.28 per cent of them had Primary School, 4.07 per cent of them had Middle School, 5.23 per cent of them had High School, 9.88 per cent of them had PUC education and 4.52 per cent of them had PUC education, 0.58 per cent of them had Diploma and ITI and 2.33 per cent of them had Degree education.  The results indicate that, 85.71 per cent of household heads were practicing agriculture and 14.29 per cent of the household heads were agricultural labourers.  The results indicate that agriculture was the major occupation for 18.60 per cent of the household members, 62.79 per cent were agricultural labourers, 0.58 per cent were in Household industry, 16.28 per cent were students, 15.08 per cent were housewives and 1.16 per cent were children.  The results show that, 0.58 per cent of the population in the micro watershed has participated in NGOs.  The results indicate that 11.43 per cent of the households possess Thatched house, 68.57 11.43 per cent of the households possess Katcha house and 20 per cent of them possess pucca/RCC house.  The results show that 91.43 per cent of the households possess TV, 31.43 per cent of the households possess mixer/grinder, 25.71 per cent of the households possess motor cycle, 91.43 per cent of the households possess mobile phones and 2.86 per cent of the households possess Computer/Laptop.  The results show that the average value of television was Rs. 5,468, mixer/grinder was Rs. 2,018, Motor Cycle was Rs. 51,111, Computer/Laptop was Rs. 25,000 and mobile phone was Rs. 2,359.  About 17.14 per cent of the households possess bullock cart, 11.43 per cent of them possess plough, 2.86 per cent of them possess Sprayer, Harvester and Chaff Cutter and 11.43 per cent of them possess weeder. 2  The results show that the average value of bullock cart was Rs. 20,571, plough was Rs. 2,250, Sprayer was Rs. 3,000, Harvester was Rs. 200 and the average value of weeder was Rs. 453.  The results indicate that, 22.86 per cent of the households possess bullocks, 14.29 per cent of the households possess local cow, 2.86 per cent of the households possess buffalo and goat.  The results indicate that, average own labour men available in the micro watershed was 1.69, average own labour (women) available was 1.51, average hired labour (men) available was 7.03 and average hired labour (women) available was 7.43.  In case of marginal farmers, average own labour men available was 1.67, average own labour (women) was 1.42, average hired labour (men) was 5.33 and average hired labour (women) available was 5.50. In case of small farmers, average own labour men available was 2.07, average own labour (women) was 1.87, average hired labour (men) was 9.13 and average hired labour (women) available was 9.93. In case of semi medium farmers, average own labour men and average own labour (women) was 2.67, average hired labour (men) and average hired labour (women) available was 15.  The results indicate that, 100 per cent of the households opined that the hired labour was inadequate.  The results indicate that, households of the Yadgiri Rf-1 micro-watershed possess 25.56 ha (75.66 %) of dry land and 8.22 ha (24.34 %) of irrigated land. Marginal farmers possess 9 ha (100 %) of dry land. Small farmers possess 13.61 ha (73.36 %) of dry land and 4.94 ha (26.64 %) of irrigated land. Semi medium farmers possess 2.95 ha (47.37 %) of dry land and 3.28 ha (52.63 %) of irrigated land.  The results indicate that, the average value of dry land was Rs. 348,052.57 and the average value of irrigated land was Rs. 534,842.51. In case of marginal famers, the average land value was Rs. 544,199.65 for dry land. In case of small famers, the average land value was Rs. 264,485.43 for dry land and Rs. 687,796.88 for irrigated land. In case of semi medium famers, the average land value was Rs. 135,342.46 for dry land and Rs. 304,562.26 for irrigated land.  The results indicate that, there were 6 functioning and De-functioning bore wells in the micro watershed.  The results indicate that, bore well was the major irrigation source in the micro water shed for 17.14 per cent of the farmers and Canal was the major irrigation source in the micro water shed for 2.86 per cent of the farmers.  The results indicate that, the depth of bore well was found to be 7.86 meters.  The results indicate that, small and semi medium farmers had an irrigated area of 3.15 ha and 3.28 ha respectively.  The results indicate that, farmers have grown red gram (15.55 ha), groundnut (3.83 ha), Sorghum (7.06 ha), paddy (3.59 ha), Cotton (3.32 ha) and green gram (0.4 ha). 3 Marginal farmers have grown red gram, sorghum, cotton and green gram. Small farmers have grown red gram, Sorghum, groundnut, green gram and paddy. Semi medium farmers have grown red gram and groundnut.  The results indicate that, the cropping intensity in Yadgiri Rf-1 micro-watershed was found to be 100 per cent.  The results indicate that, 85.71 per cent of the households have bank account and 82.86 per cent of the households have 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 commercial bank, 3.33 per cent of the households have borrowed from Friends/Relatives and 16.67 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, 9,500.  The results indicate that, 100 per cent of the households borrowed from institutional sources for the purpose of agricultural production.  The results indicate that, 100 per cent of the households borrowed from private sources for the purpose of agricultural production.  The results indicated that 100 per cent of the households not paid 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, 100 per cent opined that the loan amount borrowed from helped to perform timely agricultural operations.  The results indicate that, around 100 per cent opined that the loan amount was adequate to fulfil the requirement.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for red gram was Rs. 33379.52. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 72595.32. The net income from red gram cultivation was Rs. 39215.80. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1: 2.17.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for green gram was Rs. 24105.31. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 29640. The net income from green gram cultivation was Rs. 5534.69. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1: 1.23.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for paddy was Rs. 39775.87. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 78894.86. The net income from paddy cultivation was Rs. 39118.99. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1: 1.98. 4  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for groundnut was Rs. 50356.11. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 49841.64. The net income from groundnut cultivation was Rs. -514.46. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1: 0.99.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for Sorghum was Rs. 28851.25. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 21024.38. The net income from Sorghum cultivation was Rs. -7826.87. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1: 0.73.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for Cotton was Rs. 32775.19. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 39934.16. The net income from Cotton cultivation was Rs. 7158.97. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1: 1.22.  The results indicate that, 25.71 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was adequate and 2.86 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was inadequate and 2.86 per cent of the households opined that green fodder was adequate.  The results indicate that the annual gross income was Rs. 61,000 for landless farmers, for marginal farmers it was Rs. 80,583.33, for small farmers it was Rs. 165,033.33 and for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 144,666.67.  The results indicate that the average annual expenditure is Rs. 7,990.93. For landless households it was Rs. 6,800, for marginal farmers it was Rs. 8,155.56, for small farmers it was Rs. 3,676.62 and for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 30,888.89.  The results indicate that, sampled households have grown 3 coconut and 13 custard apple, 4 Jack fruit, 2 Sapota and 7 mango tree in their field and also 2 coconut and 1 Mango trees in their backyard.  The results indicate that, households have planted 48 Teak, 74 neem, 1 Banyan and 5 tamarind trees in their field and also 3 neem trees in their backyard.  The results indicated that, Cotton was sold to the extent of 100 per cent, green gram was sold to the extent of 50 per cent, groundnut was sold to the extent of 89.58 per cent, paddy was sold to the extent of 72.97 per cent, Sorghum was sold to the extent of 75.90 per cent, and red gram to the extent of 87.29 per cent.  The results indicated that, about 8.57 per cent of the farmers sold their produce to local/village merchants and 77.14 per cent of the farmers sold their produce to regulated markets.  The results indicated that, 82.86 per cent of the households have used tractor as a mode of transportation and 2.86 per cent of the households have used Cart as a mode of transportation.  The results indicated that, 60 per cent of the households have experienced soil and water erosion problems in the farm. 5  The results indicated that, 88.57 per cent have shown interest in soil test.  The results indicated that, 94.29 per cent of the households used firewood and 8.57 per cent of them used LPG as a source of fuel.  The results indicated that, piped supply was the major source of drinking water for 60 per cent of the households in the micro watershed and Bore Well was the source of drinking water for 40 per cent of the households in the micro watershed.  The results indicated that, Electricity was the major source of light for 97.14 per cent of the households in micro watershed.  The results indicated that, 17.14 per cent of the households possess sanitary toilet facility.  The results indicated that, 97.14 per cent of the sampled households possessed BPL cards.  The results indicated that, 77.14 per cent of the households participated in NREGA programme.  The results indicated that, cereals were adequate for 85.71 per cent of the households, pulses were adequate for 80 per cent, oilseeds were adequate for 54.29 per cent, vegetables were adequate for 57.14 per cent, fruits were adequate for 22.86 per cent, Milk were adequate for 28.57 per cent, Egg were adequate for 2.86 per cent and Meat were adequate for 8.57 per cent.  The results indicated that, Cereals and pulses were inadequate for 17.14 per cent of the households, oilseeds were inadequate for 45.71 per cent, vegetables were inadequate for 42.86 per cent and fruits were inadequate for 77.14 per cent of the households, Milk were inadequate for 51.43 per cent, Egg were inadequate for 94.29 per cent and Meat were inadequate for 91.43 per cent.  The results indicated that, lower fertility status of the soil was the constraint experienced by 85.71 per cent of the households, Wild animal menace on farm field was the constraint experienced by 88.57 per cent of the households, frequent incidence of pest and diseases (65.71 %), inadequacy of irrigation water (34.29 %), high cost of fertilizers and plant protection chemicals (40 %), High rate of interest on credit (17.14 %), Low price for the agricultural commodities (28.57 %), Lack of marketing facilities in the area and Inadequate extension services (14.29 %), Lack of transport for safe transport of the Agril produce to the market (28.57 %), Less rainfall (37.14 %) and Source of Agri-technology information(Newspaper/ TV/Mobile) (40 %).