LAND RESOURCE INVENTORY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF FARM HOUSEHOLDS FOR WATERSHED PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT NELOGI-1 (4D4A2Q2d) MICRO WATERSHED Alavandi Hobli, Koppal Taluk and District, Karnataka

Abstract

The land resource inventory of Nelogi-1 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 660 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 75 per cent is covered by soils and 25 per cent by others. The salient findings from the land resource inventory are summarized briefly below.  The soils belong to 13 soil series and 21 soil phases (management units) and 7 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 1 per cent of the soils are shallow (50-75 cm), 33 per cent of the soils are moderately shallow (50-75 cm), 32 per cent of the soils are moderately deep (75-100 cm) and 9 per cent area has deep (100-150 cm) soils.  About 61 per cent area has clayey soils at the surface and 14 per cent loamy soils at the surface.  About 29 per cent of the area has non-gravelly (<15%) soils, 31 per cent gravelly (15-35 % gravel), 15 per cent very gravelly (35-60%) and <1 per cent extremely very gravelly (60-80%) soils.  About 28 per cent are very low (<50 mm/m), 37 per cent low (51-100 mm/m), 8 per cent medium (101-150 mm/m) and 3 per cent high (151-200 mm/m) in available water capacity.  Entire area of about 75 per cent has very gently sloping (1-3%) lands.  An area of about 42 per cent has soils that are slightly eroded (e1) and 33 per cent moderately eroded (e2) lands.  An area of about 4 per cent are slightly alkaline (pH 7.3 to 8.4), 33 per cent are moderately alkaline (pH 7.8-8.4), 28 per cent strongly alkaline (pH 8.4-9.0) and 10 per cent are very strongly alkaline (pH>9.0) 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 low (<0.5%) in about 2 per cent, medium (0.5-0.75%) in about 42 per cent and 32 per cent of the soils are high (>0.75%) in organic carbon.  Available phosphorus is medium (23-57 kg/ha) in about 75 per cent and high (>57 kg/ha) in about <1 per cent area of the microwatershed.  About 27 per cent of the soils are medium (145-337 kg/ha) and 49 per cent soils are high (>337 kg/ha) in available potassium content.  Available sulphur is low (<10 ppm) in entire area about 75 per cent in the microwatershed.  Available boron is low (0.5 ppm) in about 5 per cent area, 67 per cent area is medium (0.5-1.0 ppm) and 3 per cent area is high (>1.0 ppm) in soil.  Available iron is sufficient (>4.5 ppm) in about 1 per cent and deficient (<4.5 ppm) in 75 per cent area.  Available zinc is deficient (<0.6 ppm) in 53 per cent and sufficient (>0.6 ppm) in about 22 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 19 (3) 256 (39) Sapota - 173 (26) Maize - 275 (42) Pomegranate - 225 (34) Bajra 75 (11) 369 (56) Musambi - 226 (34) Groundnut 55 (8) 214 (32) Lime - 226 (34) Sunflower - 212 (32) Amla 75 (11) 415 (63) Red gram - 177 (27) Cashew - 88 (13) Bengalgram - 431 (65) Jackfruit - 174 (26) Cotton - 276 (42) Jamun - 105 (16) Chilli 19 (3) 179 (27) Custard apple 75 (11) 416 (63) Tomato 19 (3) 179 (27) Tamarind - 17 (3) Brinjal 75 (11) 241 (37) Mulberry - 271 (41) Onion 55 (8) 183 (28) Marigold - 275 (42) Bhendi 55 (8) 259 (39) Chrysanthemum - 275 (42) Drumstick - 257 (39) Jasmine - 224 (34) Mango - 17 (3) Crossandra - 232 (35) Guava - 173 (26) Apart from the individual crop suitability, a proposed crop plan has been prepared for the 7identified 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 113 (60.43%) men and 74 (39.57%) were women among the sampled households.  The average family size of marginal farmers’ was 4.17, small farmers’ was 6.50, semi medium farmers’ was 5.75, medium farmers’ was 5.29 and for large farmers’ it was 10.  The data indicated that 25 (13.37%) people were in 0-15 years of age, 87 (46.52%) were in 16-35 years of age, 63 (33.69 %) were in 36-60 years of age and 12 (6.42%) were above 61 years of age.  The results indicated that Nelogi-1 had 35.29 per cent illiterates, 1.60 per cent were functional literates, 34.76 per cent of the people had primary school education, 10.70 per cent of them had middle school education, 8.56 per cent of them had high school education, 5.88 per cent of them had PUC education, 2.14 per cent of them had degree education and 0.53 had studied ITI.  The results indicate that, 96.97 per cent of households practicing agriculture and 3.03 per cent of the household heads had other occupation.  The results indicate that agriculture was the major occupation for 64.17 per cent of the household members, 16.58 per cent were agricultural labourers, 14.44 per cent were students, 1.07 per cent were in government service, 0.53 per cent were in private service, business and household industry.  The results show that 99.47 per cent of the population has not participated in any local institution, only 1 person has participated in raitha sangha.  The results indicate that 24.24 per cent of the households possess Katcha house, 54.55 per cent of them possess pucca house and 24.24 per cent of them possess semi pucca house.  The results shows that 75.76 per cent of the households possess TV, 45.45 per cent of the households possess Mixer grinder, 21.21 per cent of the households possess bicycle, 63.64 per cent of the households possess motor cycle and 93.94 per cent of the households possess mobile phones.  The results shows that the average value of television was Rs.4340, mixer grinder was Rs. 1413, bicycle was Rs. 1250, motor cycle was Rs. 32142, heavy vehicles was Rs.1000000 and mobile phone was Rs.1625.  About 33.33 per cent of the households possess plough, 33.33 per cent of them possess bullock cart, 27.27 per cent of the households possess sprayer, 18.18 per cent of the households possess tractor, 36.36 per cent of the households possess chaff cutter, 81.82 per cent possess weeder and another 3.03 per cent of them possess seed/fertilizer drill, transplanter, sprinkler and harvester. 2  The results show that the average value of plough was Rs.1179, bullock cart was Rs.23727, harvester was Rs.100000, transplanter was Rs.15000, weeder was Rs.28 and tractor was Rs.416666.  The results indicate that, 45.45 per cent of the households possess bullocks, 45.45 per cent of the households possess local cow, 9.09 per cent of the households possess crossbred cows, 21.21 per cent of the households possess buffalo, 12.12 per cent of the households possess sheep and 3.03 per cent of the households possess poultry birds.  The results indicate that, average own labour (men) available in the micro watershed was 2.28, average own labour (women) available was 1.44, average hired labour (men) available was 9.50 and average hired labour (women) available was 7.56.  The results indicate that, 69.70 per cent of the household opined that hired labour was adequate and 18.18 per cent of the households opined that hired labour was inadequate. About 100 per cent of the marginal farmers, 50 per cent of small, 75 per cent of semi medium and 42.86 medium farmers and 50 per cent of large farmers have opined that the hired labour was adequate.  The results indicate that, households of the Nelogi-1 micro watershed possess 17.93 ha (27.07%) of dry land and 48.31 ha (72.93%) of irrigated land. Marginal farmers possess 2.34 ha (72.83%) of dry land and 0.87 ha (27.17%) of irrigated land. Small farmers possess 2.90 ha (100%) of dry land. Semi medium farmers possess 2.97 ha (12.48%) of dry land and 20.83 ha (87.83%) of irrigated land. Medium farmers possess 9.71 ha (39.57%) of dry land and 14.83 ha (60.43%) of irrigated land. Large farmers possess 11.77 (100%) of irrigated land.  The results indicate that, the average value of dry land was Rs. 345,688.49 and average value of irrigated land was Rs. 351,763.43.  The results indicate that, there were 20 functioning and 10 de-functioning bore wells and 1 open well in the micro watershed.  Bore well was the major irrigation source for 60.61 per cent of the households, canal was the major source of irrigation for 6.06 per cent of the households and open well was the major source of irrigation for 3.03 per cent of the households.  The depth of bore well was found to be 82.87 meters, the depth of canal is 1.48 meters and the depth of open well was 1.85 meters.  The results indicate that, marginal farmers had 0.94 ha, small farmers had 2.91 ha, semi medium farmers had 17.64 ha, medium farmers had 16.30 ha and large farmers had 5.67 ha of irrigated area.  Farmers have grown Maize (23.32 ha), Sugarcane (21.66 ha), Groundnut (6.66 ha), Bajra (3.24 ha), Cotton (4.02 ha), Bengal gram (2.96 ha), Sunflower (1.3 ha), Paddy (1.29 ha), Pomegranate (1.21 ha), Red gram (0.88 ha), Sorghum (0.61 ha) and Navane (0.44 ha). 3  Marginal farmers have grown maize, groundnut, sunflower, sorghum and navane. Small farmers have grown bajra and red gram. Semi medium farmers have grown maize, sugarcane, groundnut, bajra, cotton, Bengal gram and paddy. Medium farmers have grown maize, sugarcane, groundnut, bajra, cotton, Bengal gram and pomegranate. Large farmers have grown maize, sugarcane and groundnut.  The results indicate that, the cropping intensity in Nelogi-1 micro watershed was found to be 77.11 per cent. In case of Marginal farmers it was 100 per cent, for small farmers it was 63.23 per cent, in case of semi medium farmers it was 97.08 per cent, medium farmers had cropping intensity of 57.22 per cent and large farmers had a cropping intensity of 78.43 per cent.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for maize was Rs. 46755.04. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 32866.24. The net income from maize cultivation was Rs. -13888.80, thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.7.  The total cost of cultivation for sugarcane was Rs. 183857.08. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 850711.64. The net income from sugarcane cultivation was Rs. 666854.56. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:4.63.  The total cost of cultivation for groundnut was Rs. 41297.68. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 78456.46. The net income from groundnut cultivation was Rs. 37158.78, thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.9.  The total cost of cultivation for bajra was Rs. 26103.07. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 15140.19. The net income from bajra cultivation was Rs. - 10962.89. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.58.  The total cost of cultivation for cotton was Rs. 29359.93. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 60845.25. The net income from cotton cultivation was Rs. 31485.32. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:2.07.  The total cost of cultivation for bengalgram was Rs. 32223.89. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 140446.63. The net income from bengalgram cultivation was Rs. 108222.75. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:4.36.  The total cost of cultivation for redgram was Rs. 38552.39. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 38245.16. The net income from redgram cultivation was Rs. -307.23. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.99.  The total cost of cultivation for sunflower was Rs. 39246.95. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 68635.12. The net income from sunflower cultivation was Rs. 29388.17. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.75.  The total cost of cultivation for paddy was Rs. 30200.42. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 80371.79. The net income from paddy cultivation was Rs. 50171.36. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:2.66. 4  The total cost of cultivation for sorghum was Rs. 15029.16. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 22724.00. The net income from sorghum cultivation was Rs. 7694.84. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.51.  The total cost of cultivation for navane was Rs. 11784.24. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 19034.86. The net income from navane cultivation was Rs. 7250.62. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.62.  The results indicate that, 115 tons of dry fodder available among the sampled households and it is available 107 days in a year. About 82 tonnes of green fodder available among the households and it is available for 85 days in a year.  About 39.39 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was adequate. Around 54.55 per cent of the households opined that green fodder was adequate. The data revealed that 36.36 per cent of the farmers opined that dry fodder is inadequate and 18.18 per cent of the farmers opined that green fodder was inadequate.  The results indicate that the average annual gross income was Rs.61500 for marginal farmers. For small farmers it was Rs.64100, for semi medium farmers it was Rs.192725, for medium farmers it was Rs.168285 and for large farmers it was Rs.436000.  The average annual expenditure is Rs. 11070.85. For marginal farmers it was Rs 4957.53, for small farmers it was Rs. 10526.67, for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 8194.44 and for medium farmers it was Rs. 16204.08 and for large farmers it was Rs. 75000.  The results indicate that, sampled households have grown 119 coconut trees in their field and 4 in their backyard. Households have planted 68 neem trees, 1 cashew tree and 47 teak trees in their field. Households have also planted 3 neem trees, 9 teak trees and 1 peepul tree in their backyard.  The results indicated that, bajra, Bengal gram, groundnut, cotton, sorghum, navane, paddy, redgram and sunflower were sold to the extent of 100 per cent.  Around 51.52 per cent of the households have sold their produce to agents/traders, 48.48 per cent of the households have sold their produce to village merchants, 21.21 per cent of the households have sold their produce in regulated markets, 6.06 per cent of the households have sold their produce in cooperative marketing society and 9.09 per cent of the households have sold their produce in contract marketing arrangement.  Around 6.06 per cent of the households have carried head load, 21.21 per cent have used cart and 81.82 per cent have used tractor as a mode of transport for their agricultural produce and 27.27 per cent have used truck.  The results indicated that 90.91 per cent used fire wood and another 24.24 per cent of the households used LPG. 5  Piped supply was the major source for drinking water for 69.70 per cent of the households and bore well was the major source for 48.48 per cent of the households.  Electricity was the major source of light for 93.94 per cent of the households and kerosene lamp was the major source of light for 3.03 per cent of the households in the micro watershed.  The results indicated that, 45.45 per cent of the households possess sanitary toilet i.e. 66.67 per cent of the marginal, 100 per cent of the small, 18.75 per cent of the semi medium, 57.14 per cent of the medium and 100 per cent of the large farmers had sanitary toilet facility.  Around 87.88 per cent of the sampled households possessed BPL card and 6.06 per cent possessed APL card.  Around 66.67 per cent of the households participated in NREGA programme which included 16.67 percent of the marginal, 100 per cent of the small, 68.75 per cent of the semi medium, 85.71 percent of the medium farmers and 100 per cent of the large farmers.  The results indicated that, cereals were adequate for 100 per cent of the households, pulses were adequate for 36.36 per cent of the households, oilseeds were adequate for 54.55 per cent of the households, vegetables were adequate for 51.52 per cent of the households, fruits were adequate for 18.18 per cent of the households, milk was adequate for 48.48 per cent of the households, eggs were adequate for 39.39 per cent of the households and meat was adequate for 24.24 per cent of the households.  The results indicated that, oilseeds, fruits, milk and eggs were market surplus for 36.36, 9.09, 3.03 and 3.03 per cent of the households respectively  The data regarding farming constraints experienced by households in Nelogi-1 micro watershed is presented in Table 53. The results indicated that, wild animal menace on farm field was the constraint experienced by 33.33 per cent of the households, frequent incidence of pest and diseases (33.33%), high cost of Fertilizers and plant protection chemicals (21.21%), high rate of interest on credit (33.33%), lack of marketing facilities in the area (42.42%), inadequate extension service (12.12%), lack of transport for safe transport of the agricultural produce to the market (36.36%), less rainfall (96.97%), source of Agri-technology information(Newspaper/TV/Mobile) (48.48%).