LAND RESOURCE INVENTORY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF FARM HOUSEHOLDS FOR WATERSHED PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT ACHLA (4D5B2K1b) MICROWATERSHED Yadgir Taluk and District, Karnataka

Abstract

The land resource inventory of Achala 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 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 830 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 587 ha (80%) ha in the microwatershed is covered by soils, about 109 ha (15%) by rock outcrops and about 42 ha (6%) by others (Habitation and water body). The salient findings from the land resource inventory are summarized briefly below.  The soils belong to 7 soil series and 11 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.  An area of about 80 per cent is suitable for agriculture in the microwatershed.  About 17 per cent area of the microwatershed has soils that are deep (100- 150 cm), whereas 40 per cent soils are moderately shallow (50-75 cm) and 23 per cent soils are very shallow and shallow (<25-50 cm) in the microwatershed.  About 15 percent soils are sandy, 64 percent soils are loamy and <1 per cent is clayey soils at the surface.  An area of about 60 per cent is non gravelly (<15%) soils and about 20 per cent soils are gravelly (15-35%) in the microwatershed.  About 17 per cent area of the microwatershed is very high (>200 mm/m) in available water capacity and 63 per cent soils are low (51-100 mm/m) and very low (<50mm/m) in available water capacity.  Entire cultivated area is very gently sloping (1-3% slope) lands in the microwatershed.  Maximum area of about 80 per cent is moderately (e2) eroded and about <1 per cent is slightly (e1) eroded in the microwatershed.  An area 25 per cent is slightly acid (pH 6.0-6.5), 34 per cent is neutral (pH 6.5-7.3), 17 per cent is slightly alkaline (pH 7.3-7.8), 2 per cent is moderately alkaline (pH 7.8-8.4), 1 per cent is strongly alkaline (pH 8.4-9.0) and <1 per cent is very strongly alkaline (pH >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.  An area of 16 per cent is high (>0.75%), 63 percent is medium (0.50-0.75%) and <1 percent is low (<0.50%) in organic carbon content.  An area of about 40 percent is medium (23-57 kg/ha) and 39 percent soils are high (>57 kg/ha) in available phosphorus.  An area of about 11 percent is high (>337kg/ha), 65 percent is medium (145- 337kg/ha) and about 3 percent is low (<145kg/ha) in available potassium.  An area of about 24 percent is high (>20ppm), 48 percent is medium (10-20ppm) and 7 percent area is low (<10ppm) in available sulphur.  Available boron is low (<0.5 ppm) in an area of about 69 per cent and medium (0.5- 1.0 ppm) in about 10 per cent soils.  Available iron content is sufficient (>4.5 ppm) in an area of 80 per cent and dificient (<4.5 ppm) in about <1 per cent in the microwatershed.  Available manganese and copper are sufficient in all the soils of the microwatershed.  Available zinc content is deficient (<0.6 ppm) in the entire 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 - 413(56) Guava - - Maize - 413(56) Sapota - - Bajra - 413(56) Pomegranate - - Groundnut - 293(40) Musambi - - Sunflower - - Lime - - Redgram - 120(16) Amla - 293(40) Bengal gram - - Cashew - - Cotton - - Jackfruit - - Chilli - 293(40) Jamun - - Tomato - 293(40) Custard apple - 293(40) Brinjal - 293(40) Tamarind - - Onion - 293(40) Mulberry - - Bhendi - 293(40) Marigold - 293(40) Drumstick - - Chrysanthemum - 293(40) 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, fiber and horticulture crops.  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. This would help in not only supplementing the farm income but also provide fodder and fuel to generate lot of biomass which would help in maintaining an ecological balance and also contribute to mitigating the climate change. SALIENT FINDINGS OF THE SURVEY  The data indicated that there were 75 (47.47%) men and 83 (52.53%) women among the sampled households.  The average family size of landless farmers’ was 4, marginal farmers’ and semi medium farmers was 4.5, small farmers’ was 5.1 and medium farmers’ was 6.5.  The data indicated that, 44 (27.85 %) people were in 0-15 years of age, 55 (34.81 %) were in 16-35 years of age, 46 (29.11 %) were in 36-60 years of age and 13 (8.23 %) were above 61 years of age.  The results indicated that Achala had 48.73 per cent illiterates, 25.95 per cent of them had primary school education, 0.63 per cent of them had middle school education, diploma and degree, 14.56 per cent of them had high school education and 1.90 per cent of them had PUC education.  The results indicate that, 38.24 per cent of household heads were practicing agriculture, 55.88 per cent of the household heads were agricultural labourer and 2.94 per cent were general labour. The results indicate that agriculture was the major occupation for 31.65 per cent of the household members, 34.18 per cent were agricultural laborers, 1.27 per cent were general laborers, 24.05 per cent were in student, 1.27 per cent were housewives and 5.06 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 100 per cent of the households possess Katcha house.  The results show that 88.24 per cent of the households possess TV, 23.53 per cent of them possess mixer/grinder, 11.76 per cent of the households possess motor cycle and 91.18 per cent of the households possess mobile phones.  The results show that the average value of television was Rs. 6,066, mixer/grinder was Rs. 2,625, motor cycle was Rs. 34,250 and mobile phone was Rs. 2,226.  About 5.88 per cent of the households possess Bullock cart, 8.82 per cent of them possess plough and 2.94 per cent of them possess seed/fertilizer drill, sprayer and weeder.  The result shows that, the average value of bullock cart was Rs. 27,500, plough and seed/ fertilizer drill was Rs. 3,000, sprayer was Rs. 21,800 and weeder was Rs. 50.  The results indicate that, 11.76 per cent of the households possess bullocks and local cow and 2.94 per cent of the households possess buffalo.  The results indicate that, average own labour men available in the micro watershed was 1.43, average own labour (women) available was 1.40, average hired labour (men) available was 8.86 and average hired labour (women) available was 8.46. 2  The results indicate that, 79.41 per cent of the households opined that the hired labour was adequate and 2.94 per cent of the households opined that the hired labour was inadequate.  The results show that, 2.53 per cent of the population in the micro watershed has migrated.  The results show that, average distance of migration was 1,160 kms and average duration of migration was 5 months.  The results show that, job/wage/work are the main purpose of migration for 100 per cent of the population in micro-watershed.  The results indicate that, households of the Achala micro-watershed possess 22.58 ha (73.78%) of dry land, 17.10 ha (17.10%) of irrigated land and 2.70 ha (9.12%) of permanent fallow land. Marginal farmers possess 8.40 ha (89.71%) of dry land, 0.48 of irrigated land and 0.49 ha (5.19%) of Permanent Fallow. Small farmers possess 5.20 ha (62.23 %) of dry land, 0.85 ha (10.17%) of irrigated land and 2.32 (27.60%) of permanent fallow land. Semi medium farmers possess 2.83 ha (68.63%) of dry land and 1.30 ha (31.37%) of irrigated land. Medium farmers possess 6.14 ha (70.18%) of dry land and 2.61 ha (29.82%) of irrigated land.  The results indicate that, the average value of dry land was Rs. 646,388.24, the average value of irrigated land was Rs. 534,880.13 and the average value of permanent fallow was Rs. 361,550.72. In case of marginal famers, the average land value was Rs. 1,213,583.82 for dry land, Rs. 1,255,932.26 for irrigated land and Rs. 493,999.98 for permanent fallow. In case of small famers, the average land value was Rs. 480,544.75 for dry land, Rs. 823,333.37 for irrigated land and Rs. 333,666.66 for permanent fallow land. In case of semi medium famers, the average land value was Rs. 247,000 for dry land and the average land value was Rs. 463,124.99 of irrigated land. In case of medium famers, the average land value was Rs. 195,256.91 for dry land and the average land value was Rs. 344,651.16 of irrigated land.  The results indicate that, there were 2 de-functioning and 3 functioning bore well in the micro watershed.  The results indicate that, bore well was the major irrigation source in the micro water shed for 8.82 per cent of the farmers.  The results indicate that, the depth of bore well was found to be 3.94 meters.  The results indicate that semi-medium and medium farmers had an irrigated area of 1.30 ha and 3.36 ha, respectively.  The results indicate that, farmers have grown red gram (10.43 ha), cotton (7.79 ha), sorghum (2.43 ha), green gram (2.02 ha), groundnut (1.3 ha), paddy (0.81ha) and china aster (0.56 ha).  The results indicate that, the cropping intensity in Achala micro-watershed was found to be 111.95 per cent. 3  The results indicate that, 94.12 per cent of the households have bank account and 82.35 per cent of the households have savings. The results indicate that, 64.71 per cent of the households have availed credit from different sources.  The results indicate that, 14.81 per cent of the households have borrowed from commercial bank and 3.70 per cent of the households have cooperative, grameena, moneylender and traders.  The results indicate that, the average credit amount borrowed by households in micro-watershed was Rs, 32,222.22.  The results indicate that, 80 per cent of the households borrowed from institutional sources for the purpose of agricultural production.  The results indicated that 50 per cent of the households did not repay their loan borrowed from institutional sources.  The results indicated that 16.67 per cent of the households partially 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, around 16.67 per cent opined that the loan amount borrowed from helped to perform timely agricultural operations and loan amount was adequate to fulfill the requirement.  The results indicate that, around 50 per cent opined that the loan amount was adequate to fulfill the requirement.The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for red gram was Rs. 58829.55. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 62039.92. The net income from red gram cultivation was Rs. 3210.37. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.05.  The total cost of cultivation for cotton was Rs. 50143.02. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 61132.19. The net income from cotton cultivation was Rs. 10989.18. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.22.  The total cost of cultivation for Paddy was Rs. 47507.73. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 97741.43. The net income from Paddy cultivation was Rs. 50233.70. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:2.06.  The total cost of cultivation for sorghum was Rs. 30936.52. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 37297. The net income from sorghum cultivation was Rs. 6360.48. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.21.  The total cost of cultivation for green gram was Rs. 50332.24. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 40488.63. The net income from green gram cultivation was Rs. -9843.62. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.8.  The total cost of cultivation for groundnut was Rs. 60537.46. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 54340. The net income from groundnut cultivation was Rs. -6197.46. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.9. 4  The results indicate that, 17.65 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder and green fodder was adequate, 2.94 per cent of the households opined that green fodder was adequate and 8.82 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was in adequate.  The results indicate that the annual gross income was Rs. 52,428.57 for landless farmers, for marginal farmers it was Rs. 90,156.25, for small farmers it was Rs. 67,857.14, for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 156,200 and medium farmers it was Rs. 259,750. The results indicate that the average annual expenditure is Rs. 11,632. For landless households it was Rs. 4,714.29, for marginal farmers it was Rs. 3,910.71, for small farmers it was Rs. 15,059.52, for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 33,000 and for medium farmers it was Rs. 64,250.  The results indicate that, sampled households have grown 1 lemon and 2 mango trees in their field and also1 mango tree in their backyard.  The results indicate that, households have planted 2 eucalyptus, 35 neem and 1 tamarind trees in their field also 1 neem and 2 tamarind trees in their backyard.  The results indicated that, households have an average investment capacity of Rs. 5,694.44 for land development.  The results indicated that own funds was the source of additional investment for 11.76 per cent for land development and 2.94 pe cent for improved crop production.  The results indicated that, cotton was sold to the extent of 88.51 per cent, green gram was sold to the extent of 88.54 per cent, groundnut was sold to the extent of 88.89 per cent, red gram was sold to the extent of 71.17 per cent and sorghum was sold to the extent of 66.67 per cent.  The results indicated that, 41.18 per cent of the farmers sold their produce to local/village merchants and 32.35 per cent of them sold in regulated markets.  The results indicated that, 73.53 per cent of the households have used tractor as a mode of transportation for their agricultural produce.  The results indicated that, 29.41 per cent of the households have experienced soil and water erosion problems in the farm.  The results indicated that, 61.76 per cent have shown interest in soil test.  The results indicated that, 2.94 per cent have soil and water conservation practices and structure adopted.  The results indicated that, 70.59 per cent of the households used firewood and 38.25 per cent of the households used LPG as a source of fuel.  The results indicated that, piped supply was the major source of drinking water for 97.06 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. 5  The results indicated that, 58.82 per cent of the households possess sanitary toilet facility.  The results indicated that, 2.94 per cent of the sampled households possessed APL card and 97.06 per cent of the sampled households possessed BPL card.  The results indicated that, 82.35 per cent of the households participated in NREGA programme.  The results indicated that, cereals, pulses and oilseed were adequate for 79.41 per cent of the households, vegetables were adequate for 64.71 per cent, fruits was adequate for 50 per cent and milk were adequate for 11.76 per cent  The results indicated that, cereals, pulses and oilseed were inadequate for 20.59 per cent of the households, vegetables were inadequate for 35.29 per cent, fruits was inadequate for 50 per cent, milk were inadequate for 85.29 per cent and egg and meat were inadequate for 100 per cent.  The results indicated that, lower fertility status of the soil, was the constraint experienced by 75 per cent of the households, wild animal menace on farm field (55.88%). frequent incidence of pest and diseases and low price for the agricultural commodities (67.65%), inadequacy of irrigation water, high rate of interest on credit and Lack of transport for safe transport of the Agril produce to the market (70.59%), high cost of fertilizer and plant protection chemicals(73.53%), lack of marketing facilities in the area (52.94%), inadequate extension services (32.35%) and source of agri-technology information (2.94%).