LAND RESOURCE INVENTORY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF FARM HOUSEHOLDS FOR WATERSHED PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DUPALLI-1 (4D2D6P1b) MICROWATERSHED Yadgir Taluk & District, Karnataka

Abstract

FINDINGS OF THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC SURVEY  The survey was conducted in Dupalli-1 is located at North latitude 160 32’ 55.784” and 160 31' 9.82" and East longitude 770 24’ 37.573'' and 770 22’ 5.889” covering an area of about 658.76 ha coming unde Duppalli and Chandapura Villages of Yadagiri taluk.  Socio-economic analysis of Dupalli-1 micro watersheds of Ajalapur sub-watershed, Yadgiri taluk & District indicated that, out of the total sample of 35 farmers were sampled in Dupalli-1 micro-watershed among households surveyed 13 (37.14%) were marginal, 12 (34.29%) were small, 2 (5.71 %) were semi medium and 2 (5.71 %) were medium farmers. 6 landless farmers were also interviewed for the survey.  The population characteristics of households indicated that, there were 89 (60.54%) men and 58 (39.46 %) were women. The average population of landless was 3.8, marginal farmers were 4.2, small farmers were 4.6, semi medium farmers were 3.5 and medium farmers were 4.2.  Majority of the respondents (36.73%) were in the age group of 16-35 years.  Education level of the sample households indicated that, there were 61.22 per cent illiterates, 2.04 percent were functional literates, 32.64 per cent pre university education and 5.44 per cent attained graduation.  About, 71.43 per cent of household heads practicing agriculture and 17.14 per cent of the household heads were engaged as agricultural labourers.  Agriculture was the major occupation for 51.70 per cent of the household members.  In the study area, 71.43 per cent of the households possess katcha house and 20.00 per cent possess pucca house.  The durable assets owned by the households showed that, 51.43 per cent possess TV, 8.57 per cent possess mixer grinder, 91.43 per cent possess mobile phones and 17.14 per cent possess motor cycles.  Farm implements owned by the households indicated that, 11.43 per cent of the households possess plough, 2.86 per cent possess tractor, 5.71 per cent possess bullock cart and 5.71 per cent possess sprayer.  Regarding livestock possession by the households, 22.86 per cent possess local cow and 2.86 per cent possess buffalo.  The average labour availability in the study area showed that, own labour men available in the micro watershed was 1.43, women available in the micro watershed was 1.20, hired labour (men) available was 5.77 and hired labour (women) available was 5.77.  Further, 14.29 per cent of the households opined that hired labour was inadequate during the agricultural season. 2  In the study area, about 1.36 per cent of the respondents migrated from the micro watershed in search of jobs with an average distance of 1400.00 kms for about 12.00 months.  Out of the total land holding of the sample respondents 69.79 per cent (38.92 ha) of the area is under dry condition and the remaining 25.78 per cent area is irrigated land.  There were 6.00 live bore wells and 6.00 dry bore wells among the sampled households.  Bore well was the major source of irrigation for 17.14 per cent of the households.  The major crops grown by sample farmers are Red gram, Cotton, Groundnut, Green gram and Paddy and cropping intensity was recorded as 100.00 per cent.  Out of the sample households 80.00 percent possessed bank account and 57.14 per cent of them have savings in the account.  About 57.14 per cent of the respondents borrowed credit from various sources.  Among the credit borrowed by households, 5.00 per cent have borrowed loan from commercial banks and 10.00 per cent from co-operative/Grameena bank.  Majority of the respondents (33.33%) have borrowed loan for agriculture purpose.  Regarding the opinion on institutional sources of credit.  The per hectare cost of cultivation for Red gram, Cotton, Groundnut, Green gram and Paddy was Rs.32519.84, 37121.71, 22099.58, 20642.46 and 38671.35 with benefit cost ratio of 1:1.80, 1: 1.90, 1: 2.50, 1: 2.50 and 1:2.49 respectively.  Further, 17.14 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was adequate and 8.57 per cent of the households have opined that the green fodder was adequate.  The average annual gross income of the farmers was Rs. 94451.43 in microwatershed, of which Rs. 56480.00 comes from agriculture.  Sampled households have grown 2 horticulture trees and 72 forestry trees together in the fields and back yards.  Households have an average investment capacity of Rs. 1257.14 for land development and Rs. 2857.14 for irrigation facility.  Source of funds for additional investment is concerned, 11.43 per cent depends on own funds.  Regarding marketing channels, 40.00 per cent of the households have sold agricultural produce to the local/village merchants, while, 37.14 per cent have sold in regulated markets.  Further, 65.71 per cent of the households have used tractor for the transport of agriculture commodity.  Majority of the farmers (62.86%) have experienced soil and water erosion problems in the watershed and 80.00 per cent of the households were interested towards soil testing. 3  Fire was the major source of fuel for domestic use for 62.86 per cent of the households and 37.14 per cent households has LPG connection.  Piped supply was the major source for drinking water for 94.29 per cent of the households.  Electricity was the major source of light for 100.00 per cent of the households.  In the study area, 51.43 per cent of the households possess toilet facility.  Regarding possession of PDS card, 91.43 per cent of the households possessed BPL card, 2.86 per cent of the household’s possessed APL card and 5.71 per cent of the household’s were not having ration cards.  Households opined that, the requirement of cereals (77.14%), pulses (80.00%) and oilseeds (57.14%) are adequate for consumption.  Farming constraints experienced by households in the micro watersheds were lower fertility status of the soil (74.29%) wild animal menace on farm field (68.57%), frequent incidence of pest and diseases (74.29%), inadequacy of irrigation water (71.43%), high cost of fertilizers and plant protection chemicals (68.57%), high rate of interest on credit (68.57%), low price for the agricultural commodities (68.57%), lack of marketing facilities in the area (34.29%), inadequate extension services (51.43%), lack of transport for safe transport of the agricultural produce to the market (68.57%).