LAND RESOURCE INVENTORY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF FARM HOUSEHOLDS FOR WATERSHED PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT MALREDDIPALLI-2 (4D5B6E1c) MICROWATERSHED Yadgir Taluk and District, Karnataka

Abstract

The land resource inventory of Malraddipalli-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 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 510 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 502 ha in the microwatershed is covered by soils, 0.1 ha covered by forest and 9 ha by others (habitation and water body). The salient findings from the land resource inventory are summarized briefly below.  The soils belong to 6 soil series and 11 soil phases (management units) and 6 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.  Entire area in the microwatershed is suitable for agriculture.  About 23 per cent area are shallow (25 - 50 cm), 33 per cent area of the microwatershed has soils that are moderately shallow (50-75 cm), 17 per cent area of the microwatershed has soils that are moderately deep (75-100 cm) and 26 per cent area are deep to very deep (100 to >150 cm).  About 1 per cent area in the microwatershed has loamy and 97 per cent clayey soils at the surface.  About 61 per cent area in the microwatershed is non gravelly (<15%) and 37 per cent is gravelly (15-35%).  About 26 per cent area of the microwatershed is very high (>200 mm/m) in available water capacity, 49 per cent area low (51-100 mm/m) and 23 per cent area very low (<50 mm/m) in available water capacity.  Entire area in the microwatershed is very gently sloping (1-3% slope) land.  An area of about 69 per cent area in the microwatershed is moderately (e2) eroded and 30 per cent area is severely (e3) eroded lands.  An area of about 1 per cent is moderately acid (pH 5.5-6.0), 10 per cent is slightly acid (pH 6.0-6.5), 44 per cent is neutral (pH 6.5-7.3), 29 per cent is slightly alkaline (pH 7.3-7.8), 14 per cent is moderately alkaline (pH 7.8-8.4) and <1 per cent is strongly alkaline (pH 8.4-9.0).  The Electrical Conductivity (EC) of entire soils of the microwatershed is dominantly <2 dsm-1indicating that the soils are non-saline.  About 24 per cent of the soils are medium (0.5-0.75%) in organic carbon and high (>0.75%) in 74 per cent area.  18 per cent area is medium (23-57 kg/ha) in available phosphorus and 80 per area is low (<23 kg/ha).  About 23 per cent is high (>337 kg/ha) in available potassium and 76 per cent is medium (145-337 kg/ha).  Available sulphur is low (<10 ppm) in an area of about 59 per cent, medium (10 -20 ppm) in 33 per cent and high (>20 ppm) in 6 per cent.  About 35 per cent area is low (<0.5 ppm) in available boron, 51 per cent is medium (0.5-1.0 ppm) and high (>1.0 ppm) in 12 per cent.  Available iron is sufficient (>4.5 ppm) in the entire 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 about 69 per cent and sufficient (>0.6 ppm) in 29 per cent.  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 56(8) 331(65) Guava - 85(17) Maize 85(17) 302(59) Sapota - 85(17) Bajra 85(17) 302(59) Pomegranate - 213(42) Groundnut 85(17) 167(33) Musambi 56(11) 157(31) Sunflower 56(8) 157(31) Lime 56(11) 157(31) Redgram - 220(43) Amla 85(17) 223(44) Bengal gram 56(11) 72(14) Cashew - - Cotton 56(11) 72(14) Jackfruit - 85(17) Chilli 85(17) 295(58) Jamun - 56(17) Tomato 85(17) 167(33) Custard apple 141(28) 239(47) Brinjal 85(17) 167(33) Tamarind - 56(11) Onion 85(17) 167(33) Mulberry - 85(17) Bhendi 85(17) 295(58) Marigold 85(17) 295(58) Drumstick - 141(28) Chrysanthemum 85(17) 295(58) 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 conserves 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 95 (65.97%) men and 49 (34.03%) women among the sampled households.  The average family size of landless farmers’ was 4.33, marginal farmers’ was 4.14, small farmers’ was 4.38, semi medium farmers’ was 3.5, medium farmers’ was 4 and large farmers’ was also 4.  The data indicated that, 14 (9.72%) people were in 0-15 years of age, 55 (38.19%) were in 16-35 years of age, 55 (38.19%) were in 36-60 years of age and 20 (13.89%) were above 61 years of age.  The results indicated that Malraddipalli-2 had 19.44 per cent illiterates, 32.64 per cent of them had primary school education, 0.69 per cent of them had middle school education, 23.61 per cent of them had high school education, 5.56 per cent of them had PUC education, 0.69 per cent did ITI, 14.58 per cent of them had degree education and 1.39 per cent of the population had diploma.  The results indicate that, 88.57 per cent of households were practicing agriculture and 8.57 per cent of the households were agricultural labourers.  The results indicate that agriculture was the major occupation for 60.42 per cent of the household members, 4.17 per cent were agricultural laborers, 15.97 per cent were in private service, 18.06 per cent were students and 1.39 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 51.43 per cent of the households possess katcha house and 48.57 per cent of them possess pucca house.  The results show that 100 per cent of the households possess TV, 62.86 per cent of the households possess Mixer grinder, 65.71 per cent of the households possess motor cycle, 2.86 per cent of the households possess auto and 100 per cent of the households possess mobile phones.  The results show that the average value of television was Rs.9000, mixer grinder was Rs.1931, motor cycle was Rs.37000, auto was Rs.20000 and mobile phone was Rs.2000.  About 2.86 per cent of the households possess bullock cart, 28.57 per cent of them possess plough, 5.71 per cent of them possess sprayer and 80 per cent of them possess weeder.  The results show that the average value of bullock cart was Rs.23000, plough was Rs.2050, the average value of tractor was Rs.600000, the average value of sprayer was Rs.4500, the average value of harvester was Rs.1380 and the average value of weeder was Rs.445.  The results indicate that, 37.14 per cent of the households possess bullocks and 48.57 per cent of the households possess local cow. 2  The results indicate that, average own labour men available in the micro watershed was 1.55, average own labour (women) available was 1.06, average hired labour (men) available was 12.24 and average hired labour (women) available was 11.24.  The results indicate that, 94.29 per cent of the households opined that the hired labour was adequate.  The results indicate that, households of the Malraddipalli-2 micro-watershed possess 47.06 ha (79.98%) of dry land and 11.78 ha (20.02%) of irrigated land. Marginal farmers possess 5.52 ha (100%) of dry land. Small farmers possess 9.71 ha (85.71%) of dry land and 1.62 ha (14.29%) of irrigated land. Semi medium farmers possess 10.26 ha (100%) of dry land. Medium farmers possess 20.76 ha (80.90%) of dry land and 4.90 ha (19.10%) of irrigated land. Large farmers possess 0.81 ha (13.33%) of dry land and 5.26 ha (86.67%) of irrigated land.  The results indicate that, the average value of dry land was Rs. 337,745.09 and average value of irrigated land was Rs. 347,887.33. In case of marginal famers, the average land value was Rs. 832,991.21 for dry land. In case of small famers, the average land value was Rs. 453,022.09 for dry land and the average land value was Rs. 864,500 for irrigated land. In case of semi medium famers, the average land value was Rs. 301,932.18 for dry land. In case of medium farmers, the average land value was Rs. 163,735.62 for dry land and Rs. 244,756.41 for irrigated land. In case of large farmers the average land value was Rs. 494,000 for dry land and Rs. 285000 for irrigated land.  The results indicate that, there were 5 functioning bore wells in the micro watershed.  The results indicate that, bore well was the major irrigation source in the micro water shed for 14.29 per cent of the farmers.  The results indicate that, the depth of bore well was found to be 13.50 meters.  The results indicate that, small, medium and large farmers had an irrigated area of 1.62 ha, 4.90 ha and 5.26 ha.  The results indicate that, farmers have grown cotton (12.66 ha), red gram (33.3 ha), paddy (6.52 ha), blackgram (0.85 ha) and greengram (5.53 ha). Marginal farmers have grown redgram, greengram and blackgram. Small farmers have grown redgram, paddy and greengram. Semi medium farmers have grown redgram. Medium farmers have grown redgram, cotton, paddy and Greengram. Large farmers have grown redgram and paddy.  The results indicate that, the cropping intensity in Malraddipalli-2 micro-watershed was found to be 83.37 per cent.  The results indicate that, 2.86 per cent of the households have bank account.  The results indicate that, 2.86 per cent of the households have availed credit from different sources.  The results indicate that, 100 per cent of the households availed loan from grameena bank. 3  The results indicate that, average credit availed in the micro watershed was Rs. 200000.  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.  The results indicate that, around 100 per cent opined that the loan amount borrowed from institutional sources helped to perform timely agricultural operations.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for cotton was Rs. 40401.72. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 130994.96. The net income from Cotton cultivation was Rs. 90593.24, thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:3.24.  The total cost of cultivation for red gram was Rs. 54847.90. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 81019.86. The net income from red gram cultivation was Rs. 26171.96. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.48.  The total cost of cultivation for green gram was Rs. 156385.99. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 105794.22. The net income from green gram cultivation was Rs. -50591.77. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.68.  The total cost of cultivation for paddy was Rs. 60109.56. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 60791.72. The net income from paddy cultivation was Rs. 682.16. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.01.  The total cost of cultivation for blackgram was Rs. 317084.26. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 158585.23. The net income from blackgram cultivation was Rs. -158499.03. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.5.  The results indicate that, 57.14 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was adequate and 57.14 per cent of the households opined that green fodder was adequate.  The results indicate that the average annual gross income was Rs. 266,666 for landless farmers, for marginal farmers it was Rs. 266667, for small farmers it was Rs. 70786, for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 123125, for medium farmers it was Rs. 240000 and for large farmers it was Rs.766000.  The results indicate that the average annual expenditure is Rs. 220000. For landless households it was Rs. 166,666, for marginal farmers it was Rs. 166667, for small farmers it was Rs. 23194, for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 26141, for medium farmers it was Rs. 24,375 and for large farmers it was Rs. 165000.  The results indicate that, sampled households have grown 84 custard apple, 12 jack fruit and 53 mango trees in their fields.  The results indicate that, households have planted 6 teak and 62 neem trees in their field.  The results indicated that, blackgram was sold to the extent of 58.82 per cent, cotton was sold to the extent of 100 per cent, Greengram to the extent of 57.63 per cent, paddy to the extent of 62.26 per cent and redgram to the extent of 89.52 per cent. 4  The results indicated that, about 100 per cent of the farmers sold their produce to local/village merchants.  The results indicated that, 97.14 per cent of the households have used tractor as a mode of transportation for their agricultural produce and 2.86 per cent have used head load as a mode of transportation.  The results indicated that, 85.71 per cent of the households have experienced soil and water erosion problems in the farm.  The results indicated that, 88.57 per cent have shown interest in soil test.  The results indicated that, 25.71 per cent of the households used firewood and 74.29 per cent of them used LPG as a source of fuel.  The results indicated that, piped supply was the major source of drinking water for 97.14 per cent of the households and bore well was the source of drinking water for 2.86 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, 51.43 per cent of the households possess sanitary toilet facility.  The results indicated that, 88.57 per cent of the sampled households possessed BPL card and 11.43 per cent of the households possessed APL cards.  The results indicated that, 100 per cent of the households participated in NREGA programme.  The results indicated that, cereals were adequate for 100 per cent of the households, pulses were adequate for 94.29 per cent, vegetables were adequate for 28.57 per cent, fruits were adequate for 8.57 per cent, milk was adequate for 100 per cent, eggs were adequate for 97.14 per cent and meat was inadequate for 28.57 per cent.  The results indicated that, pulses were inadequate for 5.71 per cent of the households, oilseeds were inadequate for 100 per cent, vegetables were inadequate for 71.43 per cent, fruits were inadequate for 91.43 per cent, eggs were inadequate for 2.86 per cent and meat was inadequate for 71.43 per cent of the households.  The results indicated that, lower fertility status of the soil was the constraint experienced by 100 per cent of the households, wild animal menace on farm field (100%), frequent incidence of pest and diseases (100%), inadequacy of irrigation water (94%), high cost of fertilizers and plant protection chemicals (100%), low price for the agricultural commodities (94%), lack of marketing facilities in the area (31%), lack of transport for safe transport of the agricultural produce to the market (3%) and inadequate extension services (6%).