LAND RESOURCE INVENTORY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF FARM HOUSEHOLDS FOR WATERSHED PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT SHAHPURA (4D3A9D2c) MICROWATERSHED Hitnal Hobli, Koppal Taluk & District, Karnataka

Abstract

The land resource inventory of Shahpura 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 about 403 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 68 per cent is covered by soils, 21 per cent is covered by mining/industrial, 1 per cent is covered by railway track, 5 per cent is covered by rockout crops and 5 per cent is covered by others (Habitation and Settlements). The salient findings from the land resource inventory are summarized briefly below.  The soils belong to 9 soil series and 16 soil phases (management units) and 4 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 68 per cent is suitable for agriculture.  An area of about 18 per cent of the soils are moderately shallow (50-75 cm), 22 per cent of the soils are moderately deep to deep (75-150 cm) and 29 per cent soils are very deep (>150 cm).  An area of about 28 per cent area in the microwatershed has loamy soils and 41 per cent clayey soils at the surface.  An area of about 35 per cent area has non-gravelly (<15% gravel) soils and 33 per cent has gravelly (15-35% gravel) soils.  An area of about 34 per cent area is very low to low (<50-100 mm/m), 6 per cent area is medium (101-150 mm/m) and 29 per cent area is very high (>200 mm/m) in available water capacity.  An area of about 27 per cent area of the microwatershed has nearly level (0-1% slope) lands and 41 per cent area of the microwatershed has very gently sloping (1-3% slope) lands.  An area of about 28 per cent area is moderately (e2) eroded and about 41 per cent area is slightly (e1) eroded.  An area of about <1 per cent soils are neutral (pH 6.5-7.3) and 68 per cent soil are slightly alkaline to strongly alkaline (pH 7.3-9.0) 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 66 per cent area and medium (0.5-0.75%) in 2 per cent area of the microwatershed.  An area of about 4 per cent is medium (23-57 kg/ha) and 65 per cent is high (>57 kg/ha) in available phosphorus.  An area of about 65 per cent is medium (145-337 kg/ha) and 3 per cent is high (>337 kg/ha) in available potassium.  Available sulphur content is low (<10 ppm) in the entire cultivated area of the microwatershed.  Entire cultivated area of the microwatershed is low (<0.5ppm) in the available boron content.  Entire cultivated area of the microwatershed is sufficient (>4.5 ppm) in the available iron content.  Entire cultivated area of the microwatershed is sufficient (>1.0 ppm) in available manganese content.  Entire cultivated area of the microwatershed is sufficient (>0.2 ppm) in available copper content.  Entire cultivated area of the microwatershed is sufficient (>0.6 ppm) in the 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 137(34) 84(21) Sapota 23(6) 65(16) Maize 22(6) 198(49) Pomegranate 23(6) 180(45) Bajra 77(19) 199(49) Guava 22(5) 66(16) Groundnut 54(13) 91(22) Jackfruit 23(6) 65(16) Sunflower 138(34) 54(13) Jamun <1(<1) 202(50) Cotton 116(29) 104(26) Musambi 138(34) 65(16) Red gram 23(6) 169(42) Lime 138(34) 65(16) Bengalgram 115(29) 150(37) Cashew 22(5) 66(16) Chilli 23(6) 83(20) Custard apple 191(48) 83(20) Tomato 23(6) 83(20) Amla 77(19) 198(49) Brinjal 76(19) 116(29) Tamarind <1(<1) 138(34) Onion 76(19) 2(<1) Marigold 22(6) 198(49) Bhendi 76(19) 116(29) Chrysanthemum 22(6) 198(49) Drumstick 23(6) 169(42) Jasmine 22(6) 84(21) Mulberry 23(6) 180(45) Crossandra 22(6) 198(49) Mango <1(<1) 23(6)  Apart from the individual crop suitability, a proposed crop plan has been prepared for the 4 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. SALIENT FINDINGS OF THE SURVEY  The data indicated that there were 91 (51.70%) men and 85 (48.30%) women among the sampled households. The average family size of landless was 3, marginal farmers’ was 6.63, small farmers’ was 5.28 and semi medium farmers’ was 4.63.  The data indicated that, 35 (19.89%) people were in 0-15 years of age, 82 (46.59%) were in 16-35 years of age, 46 (26.14%) were in 36-60 years of age and 13 (7.39%) were above 61 years of age.  The results indicated that Shahpura had 30.11 per cent illiterates, 1.14 per cent functional literate, 27.84 per cent of them had primary school education, 1.70 per cent of them had middle school education, 15.91 per cent of them had high school education, 7.95 per cent of them had PUC education, 3.41 per cent of them had degree education, 3.98 per cent of them did ITI, 0.57 per cent of them did masters and 3.98 per cent of them did diploma.  The results indicate that, 23.53 per cent of household heads were practicing agriculture, 50 per cent of them were agricultural labourers and 5.88 per cent were in private service.  The results indicate that agriculture was the major occupation for 13.64 per cent of the household members, 51.14 per cent were agricultural laborers, 1.14 per cent were general labourers, 9.66 per cent were in private service, 0.57 per cent were into trade and business, 19.32 per cent were students, 1.70 per cent were housewives and 2.27 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 8.82 per cent of the households possess thatched house, 73.53 per cent of the households possess Katcha house and 17.65 per cent of the households possess pucca/RCC house.  The results show that 91.18 per cent of the households possess TV, 67.65 per cent of the households possess Mixer grinder, 41.18 per cent of the households possess motor cycle and 88.24 per cent of the households possess mobile phones.  The results show that the average value of television was Rs. 8,903, mixer grinder was Rs. 1,934, motor cycle was Rs. 40,500 and mobile phone was Rs. 3,150.  About 64.71 per cent of the households possess plough and 88.24 per cent of them possess weeder.  The results show that the average value of plough was Rs. 1,536 and the average value of weeder was Rs.53.  The results indicate that, 5.88 per cent of the households possess bullocks, 11.76 per cent possess buffalo, 2.94 per cent possess crossbred cow and 26.47 per cent of the households possess local cow. 2  The results indicate that, average own labour men available in the micro watershed was 1.87, average own labour (women) available was 1.58, average hired labour (men) available was 15.07 and average hired labour (women) available was 12.48.  The results indicate that, 91.18 per cent of the households opined that the hired labour was adequate.  The results indicate that, households of the Shahpura micro-watershed possess 10.34 ha (35.61%) of dry land and 18.70 ha (64.39%) of irrigated land. Marginal farmers possess 3.24 ha (71.43%) of dry land and 1.30 ha (28.57%). Small farmers possess 7.10 ha (50.80%) of dry land and 6.88 ha (49.20%) of irrigated land. Semi medium farmers possess 10.52 ha (100%) of irrigated land.  The results indicate that, the average value of dry land was Rs. 560,704.50 and average value of irrigated land was Rs. 652,251.08. In case of marginal famers, the average land value was Rs. 771,875 for dry land and Rs. 1,234,999.98 for irrigated land. In case of small famers, the average land value was Rs. 464,444.45 for dry land and was Rs. 799,117.65 for irrigated land. In case of semi medium famers, the average land value was Rs. 484,500 for irrigated land.  The results indicate that, there were 20 functioning bore wells in the micro watershed.  The results indicate that, bore well was the major irrigation source in the micro water shed for 58.82 per cent of the farmers.  The results indicate that, the depth of bore well was found to be 90.99 meters.  The results indicate that, marginal, small and semi medium farmers had irrigated area of 1.30 ha, 6.88 ha and 10.53 ha respectively.  The results indicate that, farmers have grown bajra (12.64 ha), maize (11.43 ha) and paddy (4.98 ha).  The results indicate that, the cropping intensity in Shahpura micro-watershed was found to be 94.72 per cent. In case of marginal farmers, it was 100 per cent, small farmers it was 100 per cent and in case of semi medium farmers it was 86.67 per cent.  The results indicate that, 5.88 per cent of the households have bank account.  The results indicate that, 5.88 per cent of the households have availed credit from different sources.  The results indicate that, 50 per cent of the households availed loan from cooperative bank and 50 per cent of the households availed loan from grameena bank.  The results indicate that, average credit availed in the micro watershed was Rs. 27,500.  The results indicate that, 100 per cent of the households have borrowed loan 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. 3  The results indicate that, around 50 per cent opined that the loan amount borrowed from institutional sources helped to perform timely agricultural operations and 50 per cent of them opined that the rate of interest was higher in institutional sources.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for Bajra was Rs. 30405.22. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 47384.46. The net income from Bajra cultivation was Rs. 16979.24. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.56.  The total cost of cultivation for maize was Rs. 25680.29. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 45670.48. The net income from maize cultivation was Rs. 19990.19. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.78.  The total cost of cultivation for Paddy was Rs. 81971.01. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 75345.68. The net income from Paddy cultivation was Rs. - 6625.33. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.92.  The results indicate that, 26.47 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was adequate and 26.47 per cent opined that green fodder was adequate.  The results indicate that the annual gross income was Rs. 100,500 for landless households, Rs. 91,375 for marginal farmers, for small farmers it was Rs. 107,071.43 and for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 128,375.  The results indicate that the average annual expenditure is Rs. 12,268.44. For landless households it was Rs. 37,583.33, marginal farmers it was Rs. 9,750, for small farmers it was Rs. 6,429.71 and for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 12,347.22.  The results indicate that, households have planted 74 coconut trees in the field.  The results indicate that, households have planted 10 neem trees, 1 tamarind tree and 4 teak trees in their field.  The results indicate that, the average additional investment capacity with the households for land development was Rs. 205.88 and for improved crop production Rs. 1,470.59.  The results indicate that, loan from bank was the source of additional investment for 2.86 per cent for improved crop production and soft loan was the source of additional investment for 2.86 per cent for land development.  The results indicated that, Bajra was sold to the extent of 97.59 per cent, maize was sold to the extent of 100 per cent and paddy was sold to the extent of 97.46 per cent.  The results indicated that, about 91.18 per cent of the farmers have sold their produce to local/village merchants.  The results indicated that, 91.18 per cent of the households have used tractor as a mode of transportation for their agricultural produce.  The results indicated that, 70.59 per cent of the households have experienced soil and water erosion problems in the farm.  The results indicated that, 82.35 per cent have shown interest in soil test.  The results indicated that, 94.12 per cent of the households used firewood and 2.94 per cent of the households used LPG as a source of fuel. 4  The results indicated that, bore well was the major source of drinking water for 2.94 per cent of the households and piped supply was the source of drinking water for 94.12 per cent of the households 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, 61.76 per cent of the households possess sanitary toilet.  The results indicated that, 100 per cent of the sampled households possessed BPL card.  The results indicated that, 76.47 per cent of the households participated in NREGA programme.  The results indicated that, cereals were adequate for 97.06 per cent of the households, pulses were adequate for 97.06 per cent, vegetables were adequate for 20.59 per cent, fruits were adequate for 26.47 per cent, milk was adequate for 97.06 per cent, eggs were adequate for 97.06 per cent and meat was adequate for 97.06 per cent.  The results indicated that, oilseeds were inadequate for 97.06 per cent, vegetables were inadequate for 76.47 per cent and fruits were inadequate for 70.59 per cent of the households.  The results indicated that, lower fertility status of the soil was the constraint experienced by 85.29 per cent of the households, wild animal menace on farm field (85.29%), frequent incidence of pest and diseases (88.24%), inadequacy of irrigation water (88.24%), high cost of fertilizers and plant protection chemicals (85.29%), high rate of interest on credit (88.24%), low price for the agricultural commodities (85.29%), lack of marketing facilities in the area (2.94%), lack of transport for safe transport of the agricultural produce to the market (2.94%).