LAND RESOURCE INVENTORY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF FARM HOUSEHOLDS FOR WATERSHED PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT KOTAKKANAHALLI-2 (4D3A9C2c) MICRO WATERSHED Irakallagada Hobli, Koppal Taluk and District, Karnataka

Abstract

The land resource inventory of Kotakkanahalli-2 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 492 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 92 per cent is covered by soils, 3 per cent mining/industrial, 1 per cent by rock outcrops and 7 per cent by water bodies, settlements and others. The salient findings from the land resource inventory are summarized briefly below.  The soils belong to 5 soil series and 35 soil phases (management units) and 6 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.  Entire area is suitable for agriculture.  About 2 per cent of the soils are shallow (50-75 cm), 20 per cent of the soils are moderately shallow (50-75 cm), 26 per cent of the soils are moderately deep (75-100 cm), 44 per cent are deep (100-150 cm) and 5 per cent area has very deep (>150 cm) soils.  About 7 per cent area has loamy soils, 28 per cent area has clayey soils at the surface and 62 per cent loamy soils at the surface.  About 40 per cent of the area has non-gravelly (<15%) soils, 52 per cent gravelly (15-35 % gravel) and 5 per cent has very gravelly (35-60%) soils.  About 33 per cent are very low (<50 mm/m), 52 per cent low (51-100 mm/m), 9 per cent are medium (101-150 mm/m) and 3 per cent high (151-200 mm/m) in available water capacity.  About 89 per cent area has very gently sloping (1-3%) and 8 per cent area has gently sloping (0-1%) lands.  An area of about 29 per cent has soils that are slightly eroded (e1) and 68 per cent moderately eroded (e2) lands.  An area of about 84 per cent soils are neutral (pH 6.5-7.3) and 13 per cent are slightly alkaline (pH 7.3 to 8.4) in soil reaction.  The Electrical Conductivity (EC) of the soils is <2 dS m-1 and as such the soils are non-saline.  Organic carbon is medium (0.5-0.75%) in about 37 per cent and 60 per cent of the soils are high (>0.75%) in organic carbon.  Available phosphorus is medium (23-57 kg/ha) in about 54 per cent and 42 per cent soils are high (>57 kg/ha) in the microwatershed.  About 11per cent of the soils are low (<145 kg/ha), 72 per cent are medium (145-337 kg/ha) and 14 per cent of the soils are high (>337 kg/ha) in available potassium content.  Available sulphur is low (<10 ppm) in about 10 per cent, medium (10-20 ppm) in 80 per cent and 7 per cent soils are high (>20 ppm) in the microwatershed.  Available boron is low (0.5 ppm) in about 90 per cent area and 7 per cent area is medium (0.5-1.0 ppm).  Available iron is sufficient (>4.5 ppm) in the entire area.  Available zinc is deficient (<0.6 ppm) in 27 per cent and sufficient (>0.6 ppm) in about 70 per cent area.  Available manganese and copper are sufficient in all the soils.  The land suitability for 31 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 45 (9) 112 (23) Sapota 37 (8) 153 (31) Maize 27 (5) 130 (26) Pomegranate 53 (11) 136 (28) Bajra 70 (14) 218 (44) Musambi 37 (8) 152 (31) Groundnut 1 (<1) 413(84) Lime 37 (8) 152 (31) Sunflower 35 (7) 49 (10) Amla 72 (15) 393 (80) Red gram 35 (7) 49 (10) Cashew 44 (9) 145 (30) Bengalgram 1 (<1) 134 (27) Jackfruit 37 (8) 152 (31) Cotton 12 (2) 144 (29) Jamun 14 (3) 172 (35) Chilli 42 (9) 111 (23) Custard apple 75 (15) 390 (79) Tomato 42 (9) 111 (23) Tamarind 14 (3) 58 (12) Brinjal 72 (15) 240 (49) Mulberry 39 (8) 328 (67) Onion 50 (10) 258 (53) Marigold 23 (5) 133 (27) Bhendi 50 (10) 261 (53) Chrysanthemum 23 (5) 133 (27) Drumstick 51 (10) 210 (43) Jasmine 23 (5) 133 (27) Mango 14 (3) 48 (10) Crossandra 35 (7) 118 (24) Guava 37 (8) 153 (31) Apart from the individual crop suitability, a proposed crop plan has been prepared for the 6 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 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.  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 103 (52.55%) men and 93 (47.45%) women among the sampled households.  The average family size of landless farmers’ was 4.80, marginal farmers’ was 5.17, small farmers’ was 5.91, semi medium farmers’ was 4.57 and medium farmers’ was 6.50.  The data indicated that, 46 (23.47%) people were in 0-15 years of age, 78 (39.80%) were in 16-35 years of age, 52 (26.53%) were in 36-60 years of age and 20 (10.20%) were above 61 years of age.  The results indicated that Kotakkanahalli-2 had 28.57 per cent illiterates, 28.06 per cent of them had primary school education, 9.81 per cent of them had middle school education, 14.80 per cent of them had high school education, 9.18 per cent of them had PUC education, 1.20 per cent had diploma and ITI and 2.04 per cent had degree education.  The results indicate that, 56.76 per cent of household heads were practicing agriculture, 35.14 per cent of the household heads were agricultural labourers, 2.70 per cent of the households were into trade and business and 5.41 were housewives.  The results indicate that agriculture was the major occupation for 25.51 per cent of the household members, 39.80 per cent were agricultural labourers, 1.02 per cent were in private service, 0.51 per cent were trade and business, 26.02 per cent were students, 3.57 per cent were housewives and 3.57 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 13.51 per cent of the households possess thatched house, 83.78 per cent of the households possess katcha house, 5.41 per cent of the households possess pucca/RCC and 2.70 per cent of the households possess semi pucca houses.  The results show that 91.89 per cent of the households possess TV, 86.49 per cent of them possess mixer/grinder, 32.43 per cent of them possess bicycle, 32.43 per cent of the households possess motor cycle, 8.11 per cent of them possess auto, 2.70 per cent of the households landline phone and 94.59 per cent of the households possess mobile phones.  The results show that the average value of television was Rs. 6,500, mixer grinder was Rs. 1,806, bicycle was 1,983, motor cycle was Rs. 62,666, auto was 233,333, landline was 600 and mobile phone was Rs. 1,896.  About 27.03 per cent of the households possess bullock cart, 37.84 per cent of them possess plough, 2.70 per cent of them possess seed/ fertilizer drill, 8.11 per cent of them possess power tiller, 8.11 per cent of them possess tractor, 29.73 per cent of them possess sprayer, 70.27 per cent of them possess weeder and 2.70 per cent of them possess earth remover/duster. 2  The results show that the average value of bullock cart was Rs. 15,900, plough was Rs. 2,180, seed/fertilizer drill was Rs. 4,500, power tiller was Rs. 90,000, tractor was Rs. 433,333, sprayer was Rs. 4,541, weeder was Rs. 71 and the average value of earth remover/duster was Rs. 25,000.  The results indicate that, 35.14 per cent of the households possess bullocks, 35.14 per cent of the households possess local cow, 5.41 per cent of them possess crossbred cow, 2.70 per cent possess buffalo and 5.41 per cent of them possess sheep.  The results indicate that, average own labour men available in the micro watershed was 1.74, average own labour (women) available was 1.44, average hired labour (men) available was 6.91 and average hired labour (women) available was 5.29.  The results indicate that 59.46 per cent of the households opined that the hired labour was adequate and 29.73 per cent opined that hired labour was inadequate.  The results indicate that, households of the Kotakkanahalli-2 micro-watershed possess 33.56 ha (75.85%) of dry land and 10.68 ha (24.15%) of irrigated land. Marginal farmers possess 9.34 ha (100%) of dry land. Small farmers possess 12.76 ha (88.03%) of dry land and 1.74 ha (11.97%) of irrigated land. Semi medium farmers possess 11.46 ha (77.97%) of dry land and 3.24 ha (22.03%) of irrigated land. Medium farmers possess 5.71 ha (100%) of irrigated land.  The results indicate that, the average value of dry land was Rs. 342,517.79 and the average value of irrigated land was Rs. 336,818.18. In case of marginal famers, the average land value was Rs. 492,501.08 for dry land. In case of small famers, the average land value was Rs. 336,746.99 for dry land and Rs. 633,333.34 for irrigated land. In case of semi medium famers, the average land value was Rs. 226,765.54 for dry land and Rs. 339,625 for irrigated land. In case of medium farmers, the average land value was Rs. 245,074.41 for irrigated land.  The results indicate that, there were 5 functioning and 1 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 13.51 per cent of the farmers.  The results indicate that, the depth of bore well was found to be 13.18 meters.  The results indicate that small, semi medium and medium farmers had an irrigated area of 1.74 ha, 4.86 ha and 2.83 ha respectively.  The results indicate that, farmers have grown maize (15.22 ha), bajra (10.64 ha), groundnut (4.29 ha), redgram (3.72 ha), sunflower (2.15 ha), paddy (1.62 ha), Bengalgram (2.98 ha), pearl millet (1.21 ha), navane (0.87 ha) and cotton (0.53 ha).  The results indicate that, the cropping intensity in Kotakkanahalli-2 micro-watershed was found to be 73.30 per cent.  The results indicate that, 21.62 per cent of the households have bank account and savings. 3  The results indicate that, 21.62 per cent of the households have availed credit from different sources.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for maize was Rs. 33752.47. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 34742.67. The net income from maize cultivation was Rs. 990.20. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.03.  The total cost of cultivation for redgram was Rs. 20906.77. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 35755.12. The net income from redgram cultivation was Rs. 14848.35. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.71.  The total cost of cultivation for bakra was Rs. 34806.50. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 22489.38. The net income from bajra cultivation was Rs. - 12317.12. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.65.  The total cost of cultivation for Bengal grma was Rs. 33541.11. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 90478.09. The net income from Bengal gram cultivation was Rs. 56936.98. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:2.7.  The total cost of cultivation for sunflower was Rs. 35918.79. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 47435.23. The net income from sunflower cultivation was Rs. 11516.44. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.32.  The total cost of cultivation for paddy was Rs. 38615.47. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 52487.50. The net income from paddy cultivation was Rs. 13872.03. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.36.  The total cost of cultivation for groundnut was Rs. 47544.20. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 55389.08. The net income from groundnut cultivation was Rs. 7844.88. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.17.  The total cost of cultivation for Cotton was Rs. 63539.38. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 57000. The net income from Cotton cultivation was Rs. - 6539.37. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.9.  The total cost of cultivation for Navane was Rs. 38388.57. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 18467.29. The net income from Navane cultivation was Rs. - 19921.28. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.48.  The results indicate that, 27.03 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was adequate and 13.51 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was inadequate. Also, 29.73 per cent of the households opined that green fodder was adequate and 5.41 per cent of the households opined that green fodder was inadequate.  The results indicate that the annual gross income was Rs. 28,000 for landless farmers, for marginal farmers it was Rs. 63,388.33, for small farmers it was Rs. 76,681.82, for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 164,881.57 and for medium farmers it was Rs. 111,500.  The results indicate that the average annual expenditure is Rs. 10,353.22. For landless households it was Rs. 3,840, for marginal farmers it was Rs. 9,785.71, for 4 small farmers it was Rs. 6,945.89, for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 18,576.53 and for medium farmers it was Rs. 20,000.  The results indicate that, sampled households have grown 8 coconut trees and 19 mango trees in their field.  The results indicate that, households have planted 44 neem and 6 banyan trees in their field.  The results indicated that, households have an average investment capacity of Rs. 1,783.78 for land development, Rs. 324.32 for irrigation facility, Rs. 1,324.32 for improved crop production and Rs. 243.24 for improved livestock management.  The results indicated that loan from bank was the source of additional investment for 18.92 per cent for land development, for 5.41 per cent for irrigation facility, for 18.92 per cent for improved crop production and for 5.41 per cent for improved livestock management. Soft loan was the source of additional investment for 10.81 per cent for crop production, for 10.81 per cent for improved crop production and for 2.7 per cent for improved livestock management.  The results indicated that, bajra was sold to the extent of 68 per cent, Bengalgram was sold to the extent of 56 per cent, cotton was sold to the extent of 100 per cent, groundnut was sold to the extent of 64 per cent, maize was sold to the extent of 97 per cent, navane and paddy were sold to the extent of 50 per cent, redgram was sold to the extent of 57 per cent and sunflower was sold to the extent of 92 per cent.  The results indicated that, about 32.43 per cent of the farmers sold their produce to agents/traders, 16.22 per cent of the farmers sold their produce to local/village merchants, 56.76 per cent of the farmers sold their produce to regulated market and 8.11 per cent of them sold their produce through cooperative marketing society.  The results indicated that, 18.92 per cent of the households used cart and 94.59 per cent of them used tractor as a mode of transportation for their agricultural produce.  The results indicated that, 51.35 per cent of the households have experienced soil and water erosion problems in the farm.  The results indicated that, 48.65 per cent have shown interest in soil test.  The results indicated that, 81.08 per cent of the households used firewood, 2.70 per cent used biogas and 16.22 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 43.24 per cent of the households, bore well was the source of drinking water for 55 per cent and lake/tank was the source of drinking water for 5.41 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, 51.35 per cent of the households possess sanitary toilet facility. 5  The results indicated that, 5.41 per cent of the sampled households possessed APL card, 91.89 per cent of them possessed BPL card and 2.70 per cent of the households did not possess PDS card.  The results indicated that, 40.54 per cent of the households participated in NREGA programme.  The results indicated that, cereals were adequate for 94.59 per cent of the households, pulses were adequate for 56.76 per cent, oilseeds were adequate for 24.32 per cent, vegetables were adequate for 40.54 per cent, fruits were adequate for 16.22 per cent, milk was adequate for 78.38 per cent and meat were adequate for 62.16 per cent.  The results indicated that, pulses were inadequate for 35.14 per cent, oilseeds were inadequate for 62.16 per cent, vegetables were inadequate for 40.54 per cent, fruits were inadequate for 48.65 per cent, milk was inadequate for 13.51 per cent and eggs were inadequate for 18.92 per cent of the households.  The results indicated that, oilseeds were market surplus for 10.81 per cent of the households, vegetables were market surplus for 8.11 per cent of the households and eggs were market surplus for 2.70 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 (57.50%), inadequacy of irrigation water (45%), high cost of fertilizers and plant protection chemicals (30%), high rate of interest on credit and lack of marketing facilities in the area (20%), low price for the agricultural commodities (22.5%), inadequate extension services (10%), lack of transport for safe transport of the agricultural produce to the market (25%), less rainfall (60%) and Source of Agri-technology information (37.5%).