LAND RESOURCE INVENTORY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF FARM HOUSEHOLDS FOR WATERSHED PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT YADGIR RF-4 (4D5B2H2b) MICROWATERSHED Yadgir Taluk and District, Karnataka

Abstract

The land resource inventory of Yadgir Rf4Microwatershed 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 689 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 506 ha in the microwatershed is covered by soils, 168 ha area is covered by rock outcrops and 16 ha by others (habitation and water body). The salient findings from the land resource inventory are summarized briefly below.  The soils belong to 8 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.  About 506 ha area in the microwatershed is suitable for agriculture.  About 26 per cent of area is very shallow (<25 cm), 27 per cent area is moderately deep (75-100 cm), 15 per cent of area is deep (100 - 150 cm) and 6 per cent of area is very deep (>150 cm).  About 35 per cent loamy soils and 39 per cent clayey soils at the surface.  Non gravelly (<15%) soils cover an entire cultivated area of the microwatershed.  About 12 per cent area of the microwatershed is very high (>200 mm/m) in available water capacity, 27 per cent is medium (101-150 mm/m), 8 per cent is low (51-100 mm/m) and 26 per cent area is very low (<50 mm/m).  Entire cultivated area is under very gently sloping (1-3% slope) lands in the microwatershed.  Maximum area of about 69 per cent is moderately (e2) eroded and 4 per cent area is severely eroded (e3).  Entire cultivated area in the microwatershed is alkaline (pH 7.3-9.0) in soil reaction.  Electrical Conductivity is non saline (<2 dsm-1) in the entire cultivated area of the microwatershed.  About 15 per cent area is medium (0.5-0.75%) and 58 per cent area is high (>0.75%) in organic carbon content of the soil.  About 72 per cent of area is medium (23-57 kg/ha) in available phosphorus content of the soil and 1 per cent of area is high (>57 kg/ha) in the microwatershed.  Available potassium content is high (>337 kg/ha) in 48 per cent area and medium (23-57 kg/ha) in 25 per cent area in the microwatershed.  Available sulphur is low (<10 ppm) in 13 per cent, medium (10-20 ppm) in 50 per cent and high (>20 ppm) in 10 per cent area in the microwatershed.  Available boron is low (<0.5 ppm) in an area of 8 per cent and medium (0.5-0.1 ppm) in 66 per cent of area in the microwatershed.  Available iron is sufficient (>4.5 ppm) in the entire cultivated area of the microwatershed.  Available manganese and copper are sufficient in all the soils of the microwatershed.  Available zinc is deficient (<0.6 ppm) in an area of 64 per cent and sufficient (>0.6 ppm) in 9 per cent of area in 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 34 (5) 67 (10) Guava - 34 (5) Maize 34 (5) 67 (10) Sapota - 34 (5) Bajra 34 (5) 67 (10) Pomegranate - 93 (13) Groundnut - 34 (5) Musambi - 93 (13) Sunflower - 93 (13) Lime - 93 (13) Redgram - 101 (15) Amla 34 (5) - Bengal gram - 59 (9) Cashew - - Cotton - 93 (13) Jackfruit - 34 (5) Chilli 34 (5) 59 (9) Jamun - - Tomato 34 (5) - Custard apple - 93 (13) Brinjal 34 (5) - Tamarind - - Onion 34 (5) - Mulberry - 34 (5) Bhendi 34 (5) 59 (9) Marigold 34 (5) 59 (9) Drumstick 34 (5) - Chrysanthemum 34 (5) 59 (9) 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, 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. This would help in not only supplementing the farm income but also provide fodder and fuel and 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 94 (55.62%) men and 75 (44.38%) women among the sampled households.  The average family size of landless farmers’ was 3.6, marginal farmers’ was 4.8, small farmers’ was 4.8, semi medium farmers’ was 5.3 and medium farmers were 7.  The data indicated that, 29 (17.16%) people were in 0-15 years of age, 83 (49.11%) were in 16-35 years of age, 43 (25.44%) were in 36-60 years of age and 14 (8.28%) were above 61 years of age.  The results indicated that Yadgir Rf-4 had 56.83 per cent illiterates, 14.79 per cent of them had primary school, 11.83 per cent of them had Middle school education, 11.83 per cent of them had high school, 4.73 per cent of them had PUC, 4.14 per cent of them had diploma, 1.18 per cent of them had ITI and 0.59 per cent of them had degree education.  The results indicate that, 68.57 per cent of household heads were practicing agriculture and 22.86 per cent of the household heads were agricultural labourers.  The results indicate that agriculture was the major occupation for 44.97 per cent of the household members, 24.85 per cent were agricultural labourers, 0.59 per cent were government and private service, 18.34 per cent student, 4.73per cent were housewives and 5.92 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 8.57 per cent of the households possess thatched, 85.71 per cent of the households possess katcha house and 5.71 per cent of the households possess pucca/RCC house.  The results show that 68.57 per cent of the households possess TV, 8.57 per cent of the households possess mixer/grinder, 14.29 per cent of the households possess bicycle, 5.71 per cent of the households possess motor cycle and 91.43 per cent of the households possess mobile phones.  The results show that the average value of television was Rs. 3,812, mixer/grinder was Rs. 1,000, bicycle was Rs. 1,240, motor cycle was Rs. 47,500 and mobile phone was Rs. 2,682.  About 37.14 per cent each of the households possess plough, 8.57 per cent each of the households possess seed/fertilizer drill and sprayer, 2.86 per cent of the households possess sprinkler and 28.57 per cent of the households possess weeder.  The results show that the average value of plough was Rs.2,750, seed/fertilizer drill was Rs. 7,500, sprayer was Rs. 2,866, sprinkler was Rs. 5,000 and the average value of weeder was Rs. 89.  The results indicate that, 37.14 per cent of the households possess bullocks, 14.29 per cent of the households possess local cow, 2.86 per cent of the households possess buffalo and sheep, 11.43 per cent of the households possess goat. 2  The results indicate that, average own labour men available in the micro watershed was 1.6, average own labour (women) available was 1.4, average hired labour (men) available was 9.1 and average hired labour (women) available was 6.67.  The results indicate that, 82.86 per cent of the households opined that the hired labour was adequate and 2.86 per cent of the households opined that the hired labour was inadequate.  The results show that, 2.96 per cent of the population in the micro watershed has migrated.  The results show that, average distance of migration was 1950 kms and average duration of migration was 12 months.  The results show that, 100 per cent of the population has migrated for the purpose of job/wage/work and business.  The results indicate that, households of the Yadgir Rf-4 micro-watershed possess 34.42 ha (81.17%) of dry land and 7.98 ha (18.83%) of irrigated land. Marginal farmers possess 5.43 ha (100%) of dry land. Small farmers possess 21.08 ha (96.3%) of dry land and 0.81 ha (3.7%) of irrigated land. Semi medium farmers possess 7.91 ha (60.55%) of dry land and 5.15 ha (39.45%) of irrigated land. Medium farmers possess 2.02 ha (100%) of irrigated land.  The results indicate that, the average value of dry land was Rs. 364,516.70 and the average value of irrigated land was Rs. 400,608.21.  The results indicate that, there were 4 functioning and de-functioning bore wells in the micro watershed.  The results indicate that, there were 1 functioning and 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 11.43 per cent and open well was the source in the micro watershed for 2.86 per cent of the farmers.  The results indicate that, the depth of bore well was found to be 8.80 meters and depth of open well was found to be 2.35 meters.  The results indicate that, small, semi medium and medium farmers had an irrigated area of 0.81 ha, 3.38 ha and 2.02 ha respectively.  The results indicate that, farmers have grown cotton (6.27%), green gram (0.81 ha), groundnut (5.96 ha) and red gram (21.08 ha). Marginal farmers have grown cotton and red gram. Small farmers have grown cotton, green gram, groundnut and red gram. Semi medium farmers have grown groundnut and red gram.  The results indicate that, the cropping intensity in Yadgir Rf-4 micro-watershed was found to be 95.76 per cent.  The results indicate that, 88.57 per cent of the households have bank account and 17.14 per cent have savings. 3  The results indicate that, 97.14 per cent of the households have availed credit from different sources.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for Cotton was Rs. 30741.14. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 49327.74. The net income from Cotton cultivation was Rs. 18586.60. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.6.  The total cost of cultivation for green gram was Rs. 21020.94. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 20254. The net income from green gram cultivation was Rs. -766.94. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.96.  The total cost of cultivation for Red gram was Rs. 45728.81. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 35678.40. The net income from Red gram cultivation was Rs. - 10050.41. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.78.  The total cost of cultivation for groundnut was Rs. 47989.68. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 104205.14. The net income from groundnut cultivation was Rs. 56215.46. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:2.17.  The results indicate that, 25.71 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was adequate and 11.43 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was inadequate.  The results indicate that the annual gross income was Rs. 153,000 for landless farmers, for marginal farmers it was Rs. 69,662.50, for small farmers it was Rs. 109,186.67, semi medium farmers it was Rs. 201,000 and for medium farmers it was Rs. 332,000.  The results indicate that the average annual expenditure is Rs. 14,292.50. For landless farmers it was Rs. 31,000, marginal farmers it was Rs. 3,678.57, for small farmers it was Rs. 3,998.38, for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 17,138.89 and for medium farmers it was Rs. 153,000.  The results indicate that, households have planted 4 coconut and 3 lemon trees in their field.  The results indicate that, households have planted 4 teak and 49 neem trees in their field and also 6 neem trees in their backyard.  The results indicated that, households have an average investment capacity of Rs. 13,314.29 for land development, Rs.285.71 for irrigation facility, Rs.1,914.29 for improved crop production and Rs.200 for improved livestock management.  The results indicated that loan from bank was the source of additional investment for 8.57 per cent for land development and 2.86 per cent for irrigation facility. Own funds was the source of additional investment for 45.71 per cent for land development, 37.14 per cent for improved crop production and 8.57 per cent for improved livestock management.  The results indicated that, cotton, groundnut and maize was sold to the extent of 100 per cent, green gram was sold to the extent of 87.5 per cent, paddy was sold to extent of 61.4 per cent and red gram was sold to the extent of 91.29 per cent. 4  The results indicated that, about 94.29 per cent of the farmers sold their produce to local/village merchant.  The results indicated that, 94.29 per cent of the households have used tractor as a mode of transportation.  The results indicated that, 62.86 per cent of the households have experienced soil and water erosion problems in the farm.  The results indicated that, 85.71 per cent have shown interest in soil test.  The results indicated that, 51.43 per cent of the households used fire wood, 2.86 per cent of the households used kerosene and 48.57 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 71.43 per cent, 22.86 per cent of the households used bore well, 5.71 per cent of the households used lake/tank 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, 97.14 per cent of the sampled households possessed BPL cards and 2.86 per cent of the households does not possessed PDS cards.  The results indicated that, 88.57 per cent of the households participated in NREGA Programme.  The results indicated that, cereals were adequate for 91.43 per cent of the households, pulses were adequate for 77.14 per cent, oilseed were adequate for 48.57 per cent, vegetables were adequate for 34.29 per cent, fruits and milk were adequate for 14.29 per cent.  The results indicated that, cereals were inadequate for 14.29 per cent of the households, pulses were inadequate for 20 per cent, oilseed were inadequate for 57.14 per cent, vegetables were inadequate for 68.57 per cent, fruits were inadequate for 51.43 per cent, milk were inadequate for 85.71 per cent and egg were inadequate for 65.71 per cent of the households.  The results indicated that, lower fertility status of the soil and wild animal menace on farm field in the area was the constraint experienced by 82.86 per cent of the households, frequent incidence of pest and diseases, high cost of fertilizer and plant protection chemicals and high rate of interest on credit (85.71%), Inadequacy of irrigation water (74.29%), low price for the agricultural commodities (51.43%), lack of marketing facilities in the area (40%), inadequate extension service (31.43%) and Lack of transport for safe transport of the Agril produce to the market (48.57%).