LAND RESOURCE INVENTORY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF FARM HOUSEHOLDS FOR WATERSHED PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT BUDISETTINAHALU 2 (4D4A1S1d) MICRO WATERSHED Koppal Taluk and District, Karnataka

Abstract

The land resource inventory of Budisettinahalu-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 544 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 habitation and water bodies, settlements and others. The salient findings from the land resource inventory are summarized briefly below.  The soils belong to 16 soil series and 23 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 7 per cent of the soils are shallow (50-75 cm), 12 per cent of the soils are moderately shallow (50-75 cm), 2 per cent of the soils are moderately deep (75-100 cm), 33 per cent area has deep (100-150 cm) and 21 per cent has very deep (>150 cm) soils.  About <1 per cent soils has sandy at the surface, 30 per cent has loamy soils at the surface and 45 per cent has clayey soils at the surface.  About 66 per cent of the area has non-gravelly (<15%) soils and 9 per cent gravelly (15-35% gravel) soils.  About 10 per cent are very low (<50 mm/m), 28 per cent low (51-100 mm/m), 10 per cent medium (101-150 mm/m), 13 per cent high (151-200 mm/m) and 13 per cent very high (>200 mm/m) in available water capacity.  An area of about <1 per cent has nearly level (0-1%), 73 per cent area has very gently sloping (1-3%) and 1per cent has gently sloping (3-5%) lands.  An area of about 39 per cent has soils that are slightly eroded (e1) and 36 per cent moderately eroded (e2) lands.  An area of about 1 per cent are strongly acid (pH 5.0-5.5), 15 per cent are moderately acid (ph 5.5-6.0), 6 per cent are slightly acid (pH 6.0-6.5), 33 per cent are neutral (pH 6.5-7.3), 17 per cent are slightly alkaline (pH 7.3-7.8) and 3 per cent are moderately alkaline (pH 7.8-8.4) 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 65 per cent and high (>0.75%) in 10 per cent area of the soils.  Available phosphorus is medium (23-57 kg/ha) in 7 per cent area and high (>57 kg/ha) in 68 per cent in the microwatershed.  About 14 per cent of the soils are low (<145 kg/ha) and 61 per cent of the soils are medium (145-337 kg/ha) in available potassium content.  Available sulphur is low (<10 ppm) in about 5 per cent, medium (10-20 ppm) in 51 per cent and high (>20 ppm) in an area of about 19 per cent soils.  Available boron is low (0.5 ppm) in about 61 per cent and medium (0.5-1.0 ppm) in 13 per cent area.  Available iron is sufficient (>4.5 ppm) in entire area of the microwatershed.  Available zinc is deficient (<0.6 ppm) in 74 per cent and sufficient (>0.6 ppm) in about 1 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 186 (34) 110 (20) Sapota 153 (28) 7 (1) Maize 68 (12) 228 (42) Pomegranate 153 (28) 80 (15) Bajra 142 (26) 154 (28) Musambi 219 (40) 14 (3) Groundnut 77 (14) 152 (28) Lime 219 (40) 14 (3) Sunflower 186 (34) 47 (9) Amla 160 (29) 210 (39) Red gram 120 (22) 113 (21) Cashew 107 (20) 59 (11) Bengalgram 66 (12) 227 (42) Jackfruit 153 (28) 7 (1) Cotton 149 (27) 147 (27) Jamun 101 (19) 133 (24) Chilli 120 (22) 43 (8) Custard apple 226 (42) 144 (27) Tomato 120 (22) 43 (8) Tamarind 101 (19) 125 (23) Brinjal 77 (14) 286 (53) Mulberry 153 (28) 154 (28) Onion 62 (11) 168 (31) Marigold 120 (22) 176 (32) Bhendi 62 (11) 301 (55) Chrysanthemum 120 (22) 176 (32) Drumstick 153 (28) 148 (27) Jasmine 120 (22) 103 (19) Mango 101 (19) 59 (11) Crossandra 120 (22) 85 (16) Guava 107 (20) 53 (10)  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 STUDY  The data indicated that 103 (53.09%) were men and 91 (46.91%) were women.  The average family size of landless farmer was 6, marginal farmers was 5.15, small farmer was 5.09 and semi medium farmers were 6.83.  The data indicated that 36 (18.56%) people were in 0-15 years of age, 91 (46.91%) were in 16-35 years of age, 59 (30.41%) were in 36-60 years of age and 8 (4.12%) were above 61 years of age.  The results indicated that the Budisettinahalu-2 had 30.41 per cent illiterates, 25.26 per cent of them had primary school education, 14.43 per cent of them had middle school, 11.86 per cent them had high school education, 8.25 per cent of them had PUC education, 0.52 per cent did ITI and 3.61 per cent of them had degree education and 4.94 per cent them had others.  The results indicated that, 74.29 per cent of households practicing agriculture, 20 per cent of the household heads were agricultural labour and 2.86 per cent of the household heads were private service.  The results indicated that agriculture was the major occupation for 59.79 per cent of the household members, 12.89 per cent were agricultural labourers, 2.06 per cent were general labours, 0.52 percent were in private sector, 17.53 per cent of them were students and 6.70 per cent of them were children.  The results showed 98.45 per cent of the farmers have not participated in any local institutions but, 1.03 per cent of them participated in user group and 0.52 per cent of them participated in self help group.  The results indicated that 22.86 per cent of the households possess thatched house, 65.71 per cent of the households possess Katcha house and 11.43 per cent of the households possess Pucca house.  The results showed that, 97.14 per cent of the households possess TV, 85.71 per cent of the households possess Mixer grinder, 25.71 per cent of them possessed bicycle, 22.86 per cent of the households possess motor cycle and 100 per cent of the households possess mobile phones.  The results showed that the average value of television was Rs. 5426, mixer grinder was Rs.1520, bicycle was Rs.3200, motor cycle was Rs.42500 and mobile phone was Rs.1824.  About 8.57 per cent of the households possess bullock cart, 34.29 per cent of the households possess plough, 11.43 per cent of the households possess sprayer and 65.71 per cent of the households possess weeder.  The results showed that the average value of bullock cart was Rs.18666, plough was Rs.2307, the average value of sprayer was Rs.4125 and the average value of weeder was Rs.42. 2  The results indicated that, 34.29 per cent of the households possess bullocks, 37.14 per cent of the households possess local cow and 2.86 per cent of the households possess sheep.  The results indicated that, average own labour men available in the micro watershed was 2.17, average own labour (women) available was 1.67, average hired labour (men) available was 10 and average hired labour (women) available was 9.83.  The results indicated that, 85.71 per cent of the household opined that hired labour was adequate.  The results indicated that, households of the Budisettinahalu-2 micro watershed possess 24.52 ha (75.41%) of dry land and 8 ha (24.59%) of irrigated land. Marginal farmers possess 8.62 ha (95.51%) of dry land and 0.40 ha (4.49%) of irrigated land. Small farmers possess 12.26 ha (90.21%) of dry land and 1.33 ha (9.79%) of irrigated land. Semi medium farmers possess 3.64 ha (36.78%) of dry land and 6.26 ha (63.22%) of irrigated land.  The results indicated that, the average value of dry land was Rs. 472,883.31 and average value of irrigated was Rs. 625,000. In case of marginal famers, the average land value was Rs. 597,487.08 for dry land and Rs. 494,000 for irrigated land. In case of small famers, the average land value was Rs. 436,122.11 for dry land Rs. 1,051,063.80 for irrigated land. In case of semi medium famers, the average land value was Rs. 301,888.89 for dry land and Rs. 542,857.15 for irrigated land.  The results indicated that, there were 6 functioning bore wells in the micro watershed.  The results indicated that, bore well was the major irrigation source for 17.14 per cent of the farmers.  The results indicated that on an average the depth of the bore well was 11.63 meters.  The results indicated that, in case of marginal farmers there was 0.40 ha of irrigated land, in case of small farmers there was 1.33 ha of irrigated land and in case of semi medium farmers there was 2.43 ha of irrigated land. On an average there were 4.17 ha of irrigated land.  The results indicated that, farmers have grown bajra (3.89 ha), maize (27.25 ha) and groundnut (1.66 ha) in kharif season. Marginal farmers have grown Maize and Bajra. Small farmers have grown bajra, maize and groundnut. Semi medium farmers have grown maize, bajra and goundnut.  The results indicated that, the cropping intensity in Budisettinahalu-2 micro watershed was found to be 85 per cent. In case of marginal and medium farmers it was 100 per cent, in case of small farmers cropping intensity was 88.87 per cent and in semi medium farmers it was 71.23 per cent.  The results indicated that, 71.43 per cent of the households have bank account.  The results indicated that, 7.69 per cent of marginal, 81.82 per cent of small and 100 per cent of semi medium farmers have borrowed credit from different sources. 3  The results indicated that, the average credit amount availed by households in the micro watershed is Rs.2000.  The results indicated that, 100 per cent of the households have borrowed loan for agriculture production.  Results indicated that 100 percent of the households have unpaid their institutional credit.  The results indicated that 100 per cent of the households were opined that noninstitutional sources of credit was helped to perform timely agricultural operations.  The results indicated that, the total cost of cultivation for bajra was Rs. 79101.86. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 34569.87. The net income from bajra cultivation was Rs. -44531.98, thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.44.  the total cost of cultivation for maize was Rs. 33237.45. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 29980.72. The net income from maize cultivation was Rs. - 3256.73. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.9.  the total cost of cultivation for groundnut was Rs. 63295.18. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 52404.05. The net income from groundnut cultivation was Rs. -10891.13. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.83.  The results indicated that, 51.43 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder were adequate respectively.  The table indicated that, in case of landless, the average annual income was Rs. 29,400, in case of marginal farmers it was Rs.36723.08, in case of small farmers it was Rs.50292.27, in case of semi medium farmers it was Rs.69833.33.  The results indicated that, in case of marginal farmers the average expenditure was Rs.414.20, for small farmers it was 636.36, for semi medium farmers it was Rs.2222.22.  The results indicated that, sampled households have grown 8 coconut trees in their field and also planted 4 coconut trees and 2 mango trees in their field.  The results indicated that, households have planted 39 neem trees and 2 pongamia trees in their field.  The results indicate that, the average additional investment capacity with the households for land development was Rs. 5,014.71, for improved crop production Rs. 3,529.41 and for irrigation facility it was Rs. 2,176.47.  The results indicate that, loan from bank was the source of additional investment capacity for 68.57 per cent for land development, for another 71.43 per cent for improved crop production, for 25.71 per cent for irrigation facility, 11.43 per cent for improved livestock management. Own funds were the source of additional investment for 5.71 per cent for land development. Soft loan was the source of additional investment capacity for 2.86 per cent for land development, for 2.86 per 4 cent for improved crop production and for 5.71 per cent for improved livestock management.  The results indicated that, bajra was sold to the extent of 87.14 per cent, groundnut was sold to the extent of 90.91 per cent and maize was sold to the extent of 99.19 per cent.  The results indicated that, 100 percent of the households have sold their produce to local/village merchant.  The results indicated that 100 per cent of them have used tractor as a mode of transport.  The results indicated that, 77.14 per cent of the households have experienced the soil and water erosion problems i.e. 76.92 percent of marginal farmers, 100 per cent of small farmers and 40 per cent of semi medium farmers.  The results indicated that, 82.86 per cent of the households have shown interest in soil testing.  The results indicated that, 82.86 percent used fire wood as a source of fuel and 17.14 per cent of the households have used LPG.  The results indicated that, piped supply was the source of drinking water for 51.43 per cent households, 31.43 per cent of them were using bore well for drinking water and 17.14 per cent of them were using lake/tank.  The results indicated that, electricity was the major source of light for 100 per cent of the households.  The results indicated that, 60 per cent of the households possess sanitary toilet i.e. 60 per cent of landless, 69.23 per cent of marginal, 72.73 per cent of the small and 16.67 per cent of the semi medium farmers had sanitary toilet facility.  The results indicated that, 100 per cent of the sampled households possessed BPL card.  The results indicated that, 48.57 per cent of the households participated in NREGA programme which included 40 per cent of the landless, 38.46 percent of the marginal, 72.73 per cent of the small and 33.33 per cent of the semi medium farmers respectively.  The results indicated that, cereals were adequate for 97.14 per cent of the households, pulses were adequate for 91.43 per cent, oilseeds were adequate for 11.43 per cent, vegetables were adequate for 60 per cent, milk was adequate for 82.86 per cent, eggs were adequate for 37.14 per cent and meat was adequate for 11.43 per cent.  The results indicated that, cereals were inadequate for 2.86 per cent of the households, pulses were inadequate for 8.57 per cent of the households, oilseeds were inadequate for 82.86 per cent of the households, vegetables were inadequate for 31.43 per cent, fruits were inadequate for 100 per cent, milk was inadequate for 5 11.43 per cent, eggs were inadequate for 60 per cent and meat was inadequate for 85.71 per cent of the households.  The results indicated that, oilseeds were market surplus for 5.71 per cent of the households, vegetables were market surplus for 2.86 per cent, milk was market surplus for 5.71 per cent, eggs were market surplus for 2.86 and meat was market surplus for 2.86 per cent.  The results indicated that, 94.29 per cent of the households experienced by lower fertility status of the soil was the constraint, wild animal menace on farm field (85.71%), frequent incidence of pest and diseases (77.14%), inadequacy of irrigation water (28.57%), high cost of fertilizers and plant protection chemicals (80%), high rate of interest on credit (54.29%), low price for the agricultural commodities (80%), lack of marketing facilities in the area (77.14%), inadequate extension services (5.71%) and lack of transport for safe transport of the agricultural produce to the market (65.71%).