LAND RESOURCE INVENTORY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF FARM HOUSEHOLDS FOR WATERSHED PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT NAGESHNAHALLI-1 (4D3A9E1b) MICRO WATERSHED Alavandi Hobli, Koppal Taluk and District, Karnataka

Abstract

The land resource inventory of Nageshanahalli-1 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 microwatersheds. The present study covers an area of 686 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 61 per cent is covered by soils, 37 per cent by rock outcrops and two per cent by water bodies, settlements and others. The salient findings from the land resource inventory are summarized briefly below.  The soils belong to 12 soil series and 24 soil phases (management units) and 6 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 4 per cent of the soils are shallow (50-75 cm), 1 per cent of the soils are moderately shallow (50-75 cm), 16 per cent of the soils are moderately deep (75-100 cm), 11 per cent are deep soils (100-150 cm) and about 29 per cent area has very deep (>150 cm) soils.  About 37 per cent area has clayey soils at the surface, 13 per cent loamy soils and 11 per cent sandy soils at the surface.  About 48 per cent of the area has non-gravelly (<15%) soils, 12 per cent gravelly soils (15-35 % gravel) and <1 per cent very gravelly (35-60%) soils.  About 20 per cent soils are very low (<50 mm/m), 7 per cent low (51-100 mm/m), 11 per cent medium (101-150 mm/m), 24 per cent high to very high (151->200 mm/m) in available water capacity.  About 8 per cent area has nearly level (0-1%) and 53 per cent area has very gently sloping (1-3%) lands.  An area of about 26 per cent has soils that are slightly eroded (e1) and 35 per cent moderately eroded (e2) lands.  An area of about 3 per cent has soils that are slightly to moderately acid (pH 5.5-6.5), 16 per cent soils are neutral (pH 6.5-7.3), 41 per cent are slightly to moderately alkaline (pH 7.3 to 8.4) and 1 per cent are strongly alkaline (pH 8.4-9.0).  The Electrical Conductivity (EC) of the entire soils is <2 dS m-1 (non-saline) and as such the soils are non-saline.  Organic carbon is low (<0.5%) in <1 per cent, 8 per cent of the soils are medium (0.5-0.75%) and 52 per cent of the soils are high (>0.75%) in organic carbon.  Available phosphorus is medium (23-57 kg/ha) in about 11 per cent and high (>57 kg/ha) in 51 per cent area of the microwatershed.  About <1 per cent is low (<145 kg/ha), 29 per cent of the soils are medium (145-337 kg/ha) and 32 per cent of the soils are high (>337 kg/ha) in available potassium content.  Available sulphur is low (<10 ppm) in about 33 per cent, medium (10-20 ppm) in 27 per cent and about 1 per cent area is high (>20 ppm).  Available boron is low (0.5 ppm) in about 57 per cent area and 5 per cent area is medium (0.5-1.0 ppm).  Available iron is sufficient (>4.5 ppm) in 24 per cent and deficient (<4.5 ppm) in about 37 per cent area.  Available zinc is deficient (<0.6 ppm) in 32 per cent and sufficient (>0.6 ppm) in about 30 per cent area.  Available manganese and copper are sufficient in all the soils.  The land suitability for 28 major agricultural and horticultural 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 109(16) 141 (20) Pomegranate 53 (8) 278 (40) Maize 42 (6) 92 (13) Guava 53 (8) 126 (18) Bajra 42 (6) 183 (27) Jackfruit 53 (8) 126 (18) Red gram 42 (6) 199 (29) Jamun 10 (1) 320 (47) Bengalgram 67 (10) 183 (27) Musambi 119 (17) 211 (31) Groundnut 53 (8) 134 (20) Lime 119 (17) 211 (31) Sunflower 109 (16) 132 (19) Cashew 10 (1) 144 (21) Cotton 67 (10) 183 (27) Custard apple 119 (17) 237 (35) Chilli 42 (6) 58 (8) Amla 53 (8) 304 (44) Tomato 42 (6) 56 (8) Tamarind 10 (1) 231 (34) Drumstick 53 (8) 189 (27) Marigold 42 (6) 208 (30) Mulberry 53 (8) 211 (31) Chrysanthemum 42 (6) 208 (30) Mango 10 (1) 79 (12) Jasmine 42 (6) 56 (8) Sapota 53 (8) 126 (18) Crossandra 42 (6) 90 (13) Apart from the individual crop suitability, a proposed crop plan has been prepared for the 6 identified LUCs by considering only the highly and moderately suitable lands for different crops and cropping systems with food, fodder, fibre and horticulture crops that helps in maintaining productivity and ecological balance in the microwatershed.  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.  Drainage line treatment, soil and water conservation treatment plans have 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 contributes to mitigating the climate change. SALIENT FINDINGS OF THE SURVEY  The data indicated that there were 125 (59.24%) men and 85 (40.28%) women among the sampled households.  The average family size of landless farmers’ was 4, marginal farmers’ was 5.33, small farmers’ was 5.23, semi medium farmers’ was 4.64 and medium farmers’ was 8.  The data indicated that, 39 (18.48%) people were in 0-15 years of age, 87 (41.23%) were in 16-35 years of age, 60 (28.44%) were in 36-60 years of age and 25 (11.85%) were above 61 years of age.  The results indicated that Nageshanahalli-1 had 28.44 per cent illiterates, 36.49 per cent of them had primary school education, 2.37 per cent of them had middle school education, 17.54 per cent of them had high school education, 9.48 per cent of them had PUC education, 0.95 per cent of them did diploma, 2.84 per cent of them had degree education and 0.95 per cent of them did masters.  The results indicate that, 90 per cent of households were practicing agriculture, 10 per cent of the households were agricultural laborers and 2.50 per cent were general labourers.  The results indicate that agriculture was the major occupation for 62.09 per cent of the household members, 10.90 per cent were agricultural laborers, 0.95 per cent were general labour, 0.47 per cent were in government service, 2.84 per cent were in private service, 20.85 per cent were students, 0.47 per cent were housewives and 0.95 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 15 per cent of the households possess thatched house, 62.50 per cent of the households possess Katcha house and 22.50 per cent of them possess pucca house.  The results show that 72.50 per cent of the households possess TV, 45 per cent of the households possess Mixer grinder, 40 per cent of the households possess bicycle, 40 per cent of the households possess motor cycle, 5 per cent of the households possess landline and 90 per cent of the households possess mobile phones.  The results show that the average value of television was Rs.8413, mixer grinder was Rs.2000, bicycle was Rs. 2000, motor cycle was Rs.37500, landline was Rs.2000 and mobile phone was Rs.2141.  About 7.50 per cent of the households possess bullock cart, 20 per cent of them possess plough, 2.50 per cent of the households possess seed/fertilizer drill, 20 per cent of them possess sprayer, 70 per cent of them possess weeder and 2.50 per cent of them possess chaff cutter. 2  The results show that the average value of bullock cart was Rs.23333, plough was Rs.894, the average value of seed/fertilizer drill was Rs.500, the average value of sprayer was Rs.1400, the average value of chaff cutter was Rs.2000, and the average value of weeder was Rs.83.  The results indicate that, 10 per cent of the households possess bullocks, 10 per cent of the households possess local cow, 7.50 per cent possess crossbred cow and 2.5 per cent possess goat.  The results indicate that, average own labour men available in the micro watershed was 6.83, average own labour (women) available was 12.61, average hired labour (men) available was 1.31 and average hired labour (women) available was 2.  The results indicate that, 80 per cent of the households opined that the hired labour was adequate and 12.50 per cent of the households opined that hired labour was inadequate.  The results indicate that, households of the Nageshanahalli-1 micro watershed possess 29.68 ha (54.74%) of dry land and 24.54 ha (45.26%) of irrigated land. Marginal farmers possess 4.80 ha (100%) of dry land. Small farmers possess 13.07 ha (79.93%) of dry land and 3.28 ha (20.07%) of irrigated land. Semi medium farmers possess 6.94 ha (39.28%) of dry land and 10.74 ha (60.72%) of irrigated land. Medium farmers possess 4.86 ha (31.58%) of dry land and 10.52 ha (68.42%) of the farmers possess irrigated land.  The results indicate that, the average value of dry land was Rs. 266,098.46 and average value of irrigated land was Rs. 484,713.06. In case of marginal famers, the average land value was Rs. 436,983.99 for dry land. In case of small famers, the average land value was Rs. 275,294.12 for dry land and Rs. 852,774.36 for irrigated land. In case of semi medium famers, the average land value was Rs. 201,515.15 for dry land and Rs. 539,992.46 for irrigated land. In case of medium famers, the average land value was Rs. 164,666.67 for dry land and Rs. 313,500 irrigated land.  The results indicate that, there were 17 functioning bore wells in the micro watershed.  The results indicate that, bore well was the major irrigation source in the micro water shed for 45 per cent of the farmers in micro watershed.  The results indicate that, the depth of bore well was found to be 44.96 meters.  The results indicate that, marginal, small, semi medium and medium farmers had irrigated area of 1.37 ha, 2.45 ha, 5.32 ha and 2.43 ha respectively.  The results indicate that, farmers have grown bajra (8.9 ha), groundnut (10.39 ha), maize (24.81 ha), paddy (9.12 ha), redgram (2.13 ha), sunflower (2.51 ha).  Marginal farmers have grown bajra, groundnut and sunflower. Small farmers have grown bajra, groundnut, maize, paddy and redgram. Semi medium farmers 3 have grown bajra, maize, paddy and redgram. Medium farmers have grown groundnut, maize and paddy.  The results indicate that, the cropping intensity in Nageshanahalli-1 micro watershed was found to be 89.28 per cent. In case of marginal farmers it was 100 per cent, small farmers it was 100 per cent, in case of semi medium farmers it was 87.18 and medium farmers it was 79.17 per cent.  The results indicate that, 75 per cent of the households have bank account and 40 per cent of the households have savings.  The results indicate that, 42.50 per cent of the households have availed credit from different sources.  The results indicate that, 29.41 per cent of the households have availed loan from commercial bank, 64.71 per cent of the households have availed loan from grameena bank, 5.88 per cent of them have availed loan from traders and another 5.88 per cent have availed loan from money lender.  The results indicate that, marginal, small, semi medium and medium farmers have availed Rs. 57500, Rs. 68571.43, Rs. 400000 and Rs. 83333 respectively.  The results indicate that, 93.75 per cent of the households have borrowed loan from institutional sources for the purpose of agricultural production and 6.25 per cent have borrowed for education.  The results indicate that, the main purpose of borrowing credit from private sources was agriculture production.  The results indicated that 68.75 per cent of the households did not repay their loan, 25 per cent partially paid their loan and 6.25 per cent have fully paid their loan borrowed from institutional sources.  Results indicated that 100 per cent of the households partially paid their loan borrowed from private sources.  The results indicate that, around 25 per cent of the households opined that the rate of interest was higher in institutional sources; another 56.25 per cent opined that the loan amount helped to perform timely agricultural operations and 18.75 per cent opined that the loan amount was adequate to fulfil the requirement.  The results indicate that, 100 per cent of the households opined that the loan amount was adequate to fulfil their requirements.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for groundnut was Rs. 58737.66. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 79076.74. The net income from Groundnut cultivation was Rs. 20339.08, thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.35.  The total cost of cultivation for sunflower was Rs. 37036.05. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 31634.30. The net income from sunflower cultivation was Rs. -5401.75. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.85. 4  The total cost of cultivation for paddy was Rs. 90393.46. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 102073.97. The net income from paddy cultivation was Rs. 11680.51. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.13.  The total cost of cultivation for maize was Rs. 240103.67. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 50533.08. The net income from maize cultivation was Rs. -189570.58. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.21.  The total cost of cultivation for bajra was Rs. 26893.55. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 28194.14. The net income from bajra cultivation was Rs. 1300.59. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.05.  The total cost of cultivation for redgram was Rs. 26893.48. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 40997.50. The net income from redgram cultivation was Rs. 14104.02. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.52.  The results indicate that, 7.50 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was adequate and 15 per cent of the households opined that green fodder was adequate. The results also indicated that 10 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was inadequate and 2.50 per cent opined that green fodder was inadequate.  The results indicate that the average annual gross income was Rs. 60,400 for landless farmers, for marginal farmers it was Rs. 82,608.33, for small farmers it was Rs. 165,115.38, for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 210,090.91 and for medium farmers it was Rs. 270,000.  The results indicate that the average annual expenditure is Rs. 15,259.84. For landless households it was Rs. 5,920, for marginal farmers it was Rs. 9,238.89, for small farmers it was Rs. 14,559.17, for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 18,735.54, and for medium farmers it was Rs. 26,000.  The results indicate that, the average additional investment capacity with the households for irrigation facility was Rs. 400 and for improved livestock management Rs. 125.  The results indicate that, government subsidy was the source of additional investment capacity for 7.5 per cent for irrigation facility and 2.5 per cent for improved livestock management.  The results indicated that, bajra, maize, paddy, redgram and sunflower were sold to the extent of 100 per cent and groundnut was sold to the extent of 99.28 per cent.  The results indicated that, about 65 per cent of the famers have sold their produce in regulated markets, 5 per cent of the farmers have sold their produce in cooperative marketing society and 42.5 per cent have sold their produce to agents/traders. 5  The results indicated that, 100 per cent of the households have used tractor as a mode of transportation for their agricultural produce and 5 per cent have also used truck as a mode of transportation.  The results indicated that, 42.50 per cent of the households have experienced soil and water erosion problems in the farm i.e., 16.67 per cent of the marginal farmers, 38.46 per cent of the small farmers, 54.55 per cent of semi medium and 100 per cent of medium farmers have experienced soil and water erosion problems.  The results indicated that, 55 per cent have shown interest in soil test which accounts for 100 per cent of marginal farmers, 84.62 per cent of the small farmers, 27.27 per cent of semi medium farmers and 40 per cent of medium farmers.  The results indicated that, 92.50 per cent of the households used fire wood, 5 per cent used LPG and 2.50 per cent of the households used dung cake.  The results indicated that, piped supply was the major source of drinking water for 47.50 per cent of the households, bore well was the source of drinking water for 47.50 per cent of the households in the micro watershed, open well and lake were the source of drinking water for 2.50 per cent of the households respectively.  Electricity was the major source of light for 100 per cent of the households in micro watershed.  The results indicated that, 35 per cent of the households possess sanitary toilet i.e. 20 per cent of the landless, 33.33 per cent of the marginal, 38.46 per cent of the small, 27.27 per cent of the semi medium and 60 per cent of the medium farmers.  The results indicated that, 97.50 per cent of the sampled households possessed BPL card and 5 per cent of the households did not possess PDS card.  The results indicated that, 42.50 per cent of the households participated in NREGA programme.  The results indicated that, cereals were adequate for 100 per cent of the households, pulses were adequate for 90 per cent, oilseeds were adequate for 2.5 per cent, vegetables were adequate for 2.5 per cent, fruits were adequate for 2.5 per cent, milk was adequate for 95 per cent, eggs were adequate for 87.5 per cent and meat was adequate for 12.5 per cent of the households.  The results indicated that, lower fertility status of the soil was the constraint experienced by 72.50 per cent of the households, wild animal menace on farm field (75%), frequent incidence of pest and diseases (37.50%), inadequacy of irrigation water (22.50%), high cost of fertilizers and plant protection chemicals (25%), high rate of interest on credit (15%), low price for the agricultural commodities (80%), lack of marketing facilities in the area (67.5%), lack of transport for safe transport of the agricultural produce to the market (67.50%), 6 inadequate extension services (65%), less rainfall (12.50%) and source of agri technology information (12.50%).