LAND RESOURCE INVENTORY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF FARM HOUSEHOLDS FOR WATERSHED PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT INDARGI-1 (4D3A9A1d) MICROWATERSHED Irakallagada Hobli, Koppal Taluk & District, Karnataka

Abstract

The land resource inventory of Indargi-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 microwatershed. The present study covers an area of 558 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 81 per cent is covered by soils, 10 per cent is covered by rock outcrops and 9 per cent is covered by others (Habitation and Waterbody). The salient findings from the land resource inventory are summarized briefly below.  The soils belong to 19 soil series and 30 soil phases (management units) and 12 Land Management Units.  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 320 m grid interval.  Land suitability for growing 31 major agricultural and horticultural crops were assessed and maps showing the degree of suitability along with constraints were generated.  An area of about 81 per cent is suitable for agriculture.  An area of about 1 per cent of the soils are shallow (25-50 cm), 36 per cent of the soils are moderately shallow to moderately deep (50-100 cm) and 44 per cent soils are deep to very deep (100->150 cm).  About 8 per cent area in the microwatershed has sandy soils, 50 per cent area in the microwatershed has loamy soils and 23 per cent clayey soils at the surface.  An area of about 34 per cent area has non-gravelly (<15% gravel) soils and 47 per cent has gravelly to very gravelly (15-60% gravel) soils.  An area of about 49 per cent area is very low to low (<50-100 mm/m), 7 per cent area is medium to high (101-200 mm/m) and 25 per cent area is very high (>200 mm/m) in available water capacity.  An area of about 19 per cent area of the microwatershed has nearly level (0-1% slope) lands and 62 per cent area of the microwatershed has very gently sloping (1- 3% slope) lands.  An area of about 48 per cent area is moderately (e2) eroded and about 33 per cent area is slightly (e1) eroded.  An area of about 56 per cent soils are neutral (pH 6.5-7.3) and 25 per cent soil are slightly alkaline (pH 7.3-7.8) in soil reaction.  The Electrical Conductivity (EC) of the soils in the entire cultivated area of the microwatershed is <2 dsm-1 indicating that the soils are non-saline.  Organic carbon is high (>0.75%) in 72 per cent area and medium (0.5-0.75%) in 9 per cent area of the microwatershed.  An area of about 48 per cent is medium (23-57 kg/ha) and 32 per cent is high (>57 kg/ha) in available phosphorus.  An area of about 48 per cent is medium (145-337 kg/ha) and 33 per cent is high (>337 kg/ha) in available potassium.  Available sulphur is medium (10 -20 ppm) in 36 per cent area and low (<10 ppm) in 44 per cent area of the microwatershed.  An area of about 68 per cent is low (<0.5ppm) and 12 per cent is medium (0.5-1.0 ppm) in available boron content.  An area of about 59 per cent is sufficient (>4.5 ppm) and 22 per cent is deficient (<4.5 ppm) in available iron content.  Entire cultivated area of the microwatershed is sufficient (>1.0 ppm) in the available manganese content.  Entire cultivated area of the microwatershed is sufficient (>0.2 ppm) in the available copper content.  An area of about 52 per cent is deficient (<0.6 ppm) and 29 per cent is sufficient (>0.6 ppm) in available zinc content.  The land suitability for 31 major 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 3(1) 374(67) Sapota 16(3) 215(38) Maize - 377(68) Pomegranate 16(3) 360(64) Bajra 41(7) 377(68) Guava 16(3) 215(38) Groundnut 26(5) 222(40) Jackfruit 16(3) 215(38) Sunflower 3(1) 345(62) Jamun 3(1) 241(43) Cotton 117(21) 227(41) Musambi 16(3) 360(64) Red gram 3(1) 345(62) Lime 16(3) 360(64) Bengal gram 117(21) 43(8) Cashew 16(3) 215(38) Chilli 3(1) 374(67) Custard apple 41(7) 404(73) Tomato 3(1) 229(41) Amla 41(7) 401(72) Brinjal 3(1) 346(62) Tamarind 3(1) 124(22) Onion - 232(42) Marigold 3(1) 374(67) Bhendi 3(1) 374(67) Chrysanthemum 3(1) 374(67) Drumstick 16(3) 357(64) Jasmine 3(1) 254(46) Mulberry 13(2) 218(39) Crossandra 3(1) 229(41) Mango 3(1) 99(18)  Apart from the individual crop suitability, a proposed crop plan has been prepared for the 12 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. 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. FINDINGS OF THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC SURVEY  The survey was conducted in Indargi-1 is located at North latitude 150 27’ 22.468” and 150 25’ 37.556” and East longitude 760 19’ 50.998'' and 760 18’ 8.704” covering an area of about 607.66 ha coming under Indargi, Ballary and Kukanapalli Villages of Koppal taluk.  Socio-economic analysis of Indargi-1 micro watersheds of Indargi sub-watershed, Koppala taluk & District indicated that, out of the total sample of 36 total respondents, 8 (22.22 %) were marginal, 14 (38.89%) were small, 6 (16.67 %) were Semi medium and 3 (8.33 %) were medium farmers.  The population characteristics of households indicated that, there were 100 (58.14%) men and 71 (41.28 %) were women.  Majority of the respondents (45.35%) were in the age group of 16-35 years.  Education level of the sample households indicated that, there were 36.63 per cent illiterates, 0.58 percent were functional literates, 64.54 per cent pre university education and 6.40 per cent attained graduation.  About, 86.11 per cent of household heads practicing agriculture and 16.67 per cent of the household heads were engaged as agricultural labourers.  Agriculture was the major occupation for 54.65 per cent of the household members.  In the study area, 91.67 per cent of the households possess katcha house and 0.00 per cent possess pucca house.  The durable assets owned by the households showed that, 66.67 per cent possess TV, 13.89 per cent possess mixer grinder, 88.89 per cent possess mobile phones and 47.22 per cent possess motor cycles.  Farm implements owned by the households indicated that, 16.67 per cent of the households possess plough and 5.56 per cent possess bullock cart.  Regarding livestock possession by the households, 11.11 per cent possess local cow and 0.00 per cent possess buffalo.  The average labour availability in the study area showed that, own labour men available in the micro watershed was 10.65, women available in the micro watershed was 5.58, hired labour (men) available was 29.88 and hired labour (women) available was 26.72.  Out of the total land holding of the sample respondents 71.71 per cent (52.70 ha) of the area is under dry condition and the remaining 28.29 per cent area is irrigated land.  There were 10.00 live bore wells among the sampled households.  Bore/open well was the major source of irrigation for 27.78 per cent of the households. 2  The major crops grown by sample farmers are Maize, Bajra, Groundnut and Paddy and cropping intensity was recorded as 100.00 per cent.  The per hectare cost of cultivation for Maize, Bajra, Groundnut and Paddy was Rs.29227.55 , 37545.91, 78126.52 and 69194.53 with benefit cost ratio of 1:2.00, 1: 1.01, 1: 1.10 and 1: 1.40 respectively.  The average annual gross income of the farmers was Rs. 105055.56 in microwatershed, of which Rs. 94972.22 comes from agriculture.  Sampled households have grown 57 horticulture trees and 92 forestry trees together in the fields and back yards.  Households have an average investment capacity of Rs. 7833.33 for land development.  Source of funds for additional investment is concerned, 58.33 per cent depends on bank loan for land development activities.  Regarding marketing channels, 86.11 per cent of the households have sold agricultural produce to the local/village merchants.  Further, 86.11 per cent of the households have used tractor for the transport of agriculture commodity.  Majority of the farmers (52.78%) have experienced soil and water erosion problems in the watershed and 77.78 per cent of the households were interested towards soil testing.  Fire was the major source of fuel for domestic use for 100.00 per cent of the households.  Piped supply was the major source for drinking water for 97.22 per cent of the households.  Electricity was the major source of light for 100.00 per cent of the households.  In the study area, 91.67 per cent of the households possess toilet facility.  Regarding possession of PDS card, 100.00 per cent of the households possessed BPL card.  Households opined that, the requirement of cereals (100.00%), pulses (77.78%) and oilseeds (5.56%) are adequate for consumption.  Farming constraints experienced by households in the micro watersheds were lower fertility status of the soil (86.11%) wild animal menace on farm field (5.56%), frequent incidence of pest and diseases (77.78%), high cost of fertilizers and plant protection chemicals (86.11%), low price for the agricultural commodities (86.11%), lack of marketing facilities in the area (86.11%), lack of transport for safe transport of the agricultural produce to the market (75.00%).