LAND RESOURCE INVENTORY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF FARM HOUSEHOLDS FOR WATERSHED PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT BALACHAKRA-2 (4D5B1M1c) MICROWATERSHED Yadgir Taluk & District, Karnataka

Abstract

The land resource inventory of Balachakra-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 575 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 555 ha in the microwatershed is covered by soils, about 21 ha by by others (Habitation water body). The salient findings from the land resource inventory are summarized briefly below.  The soils belong to 13 soil series and 19 soil phases (management units) and 8 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.  An area of about 96 per cent is suitable for agriculture in the microwatershed.  About 65 per cent area of the microwatershed has soils that are deep (100-150 cm), 16 per cent soils are moderately shallow to moderately deep (50-100), whereas 15 per cent soils are shallow to very shallow (<25-50 cm) soils in the microwatershed.  About 13 per cent area in the microwatershed has sandy soils, 49 per cent area in the microwatershed has loamy soils and 35 per cent clayey soils at the surface.  An area of about 68 per cent area has non-gravelly (<15% gravel) soils and 29 per cent has gravelly (15-35% gravel) soils.  An area of about 35 per cent is very low to low (<50-100 mm/m), <1 per cent area is medium (101-150 mm/m) and 61 per cent area is very high (>200 mm/m) in available water capacity.  About 96 per cent area of the microwatershed has very gently sloping (1-3% slope) lands and 1 per cent area is gently sloping (3-5% slope) soils.  An area of about 82 per cent area is moderately (e2) eroded and 15 percent soils are severely eroded (e3).  An area of about 71 per cent soils are neutral (pH 6.5-7.3) and 25 per cent soil are slightly alkaline (pH 7.3-7.8) in soil reaction.  The Electrical Conductivity (EC) of the soils in the entire cultivated area of the microwatershed is dominantly <2 dsm-1 indicating that the soils are non-saline.  An area of about 6 per cent is high (>0.75%) and 90 percent is medium (0.50- 0.75%) in organic carbon content.  An area of 17 percent is low (<23 kg/ha) in available phosphorus, 76 percent is medium (23-57 kg/ha) and 4 percent soils are high (>57 kg/ha) in available phosphorus.  An area of about 31 percent is medium (145-337kg/ha) and 65 percent is low (<145kg/ha) in available potassium.  An area of about 1 percent is medium (10-20ppm) and 95 percent area is low (<10ppm) in available sulphur.  Available boron is low (<0.5 ppm) in an area of about 41 per cent and medium (0.5-1.0 ppm) in 56 per cent area of the microwatershed.  Available iron content is sufficient (>4.5ppm) in an area of 96 per cent and <1 per cent is deficient (<4.5ppm) in the microwatershed.  Available manganese and copper are sufficient in all the soils of the microwatershed.  Available zinc content is deficient (<0.6 ppm) in the entire cultivated area of 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 16(3) 355(62) Guava - 9(2) Maize 2(<1) 369(64) Sapota - 9(2) Bajra 9(2) 362(63) Pomegranate - 23(4) Groundnut 7(1) 27(5) Musambi 14(2) 9(2) Sunflower 14(2) 9(2) Lime 14(2) 9(2) Redgram - 345(60) Amla 9(2) 40(7) Bengal gram 14(2) 10(2) Cashew - 7(1) Cotton 14(2) 3(<1) Jackfruit - 9(2) Chilli 2(<1) 47(8) Jamun - 14(2) Tomato 2(<1) 33(6) Custard apple 21(4) 28(5) Brinjal 2(<1) 33(6) Tamarind - 14(2) Onion 2(<1) 7(1) Mulberry - 9(2) Bhendi 2(<1) 47(8) Marigold 2(<1) 47(8) Drumstick - 23(4) Chrysanthemum 2(<1) 47(8) 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, fiber and horticulture crops.  Maintaining soil-health is vital to 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 to 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 to 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 on households sampled for socio economic survey indicated that 35 farmers were sampled in Balachakra-2 micro-watershed among them 2 (5.71%) were landless, 10 (28.57 %) were marginal farmers, 12 (34.29 %) were small farmers, 7 (20 %) semi medium farmers, 3 (8.57 %) were medium farmers and 1 (2.86 %) were large farmers.  The data indicated that there were 124 (60.49 %) men and 81 (39.51 %) women among the sampled households. The average family size of landless was 6.5, marginal farmers’ was 5.5, small farmers’ was 5.5, semi medium farmers’ was 6.14, medium farmers’ was 8 and large farmers’ was 4.  The data indicated that, 39 (19.02 %) people were in 0-15 years of age, 92 (44.88 %) were in 16-35 years of age, 61 (29.76 %) were in 36-60 years of age and 13 (6.34 %) were above 61 years of age.  The results indicated that Balachakra-2 had 59.02 per cent illiterates, 0.49 per cent of them had Functional Literate, 22.93 per cent of them had primary school, 1.46 per cent of them had middle school, 6.83 per cent of them had high school education, 2.93 per cent of them had PUC and 0.98 per cent of them had Degree education.  The results indicate that, 48.57 per cent of household heads were practicing agriculture and agricultural labourers.  The results indicate that agriculture was the major occupation for 26.34 per cent of the household members, 39.02 per cent were agricultural labourers, 0.49 per cent were private service and Trade & Business, 20 per cent were students, 11.22 per cent were housewives and 2.44 per cent were children.  The results show that, 0.49 per cent of the population in the micro watershed has participated in Cooperative bank.  The results indicate that, 34.29 per cent of the households possess Thatched house, 57.14 per cent of the households possess Katcha house and 8.57 per cent of them possess Pucca/RCC house.  The results show that 57.14 per cent of the households possess TV, 51.43 per cent of the households possess mixer/grinder, 25.71 per cent of the households possess motor cycle, 2.86 per cent of the households possess Auto and Landline Phone and 97.14 per cent of the households possess mobile phones.  The results show that the average value of television was Rs. 9,000, mixer/grinder was Rs. 1583.33, motor cycle was Rs. 56,888, Landline Phone was Rs. 2,000, Auto was Rs. 120,000 and mobile phone was Rs. 2,970.  About 2.86 per cent of the households possess Bullock Cart, 8.57 per cent of the households possess plough and 94.29 per cent of them possess weeder.  The result shows that the average value of bullock cart was Rs. 35,000, plough was Rs. 1,500 and the average value of weeder was Rs. 51. 2  The results indicate that, 11.43 per cent of the households possess bullocks, per cent of the households possess 22.86 local cow and 2.86 per cent of the households possess Buffalo.  The results indicate that, average own labour men available in the micro watershed was 2.26, average own labour (women) available was 1.56, average hired labour (men) available was 11.33 and average hired labour (women) available was 10.42.  The results indicate that, 97.14 per cent of the households opined that the hired labour was adequate.  The results indicate that, households of the Balachakra-2 micro-watershed possess 17 ha (38.71 %) of dry land, 21.90 ha (49.87 %) of irrigated land and 5.02 ha (11.43 %) of Permanent Fallow land. Marginal farmers possess 4.27 ha (84.59 %) of dry land, 0.53 ha (10.59 %) of irrigated land and 0.24 ha (4.82 %) of Permanent Fallow land. Small farmers possess 8.69 ha (65.32 %) of dry land, 4.17 ha (31.34 %) of irrigated land and 0.45 ha (3.35 %) of Permanent Fallow land. Semi medium farmers possess 2.83 ha (65.32 %) of dry land and 7.08 ha (62.06 %) of irrigated land and 1.50 ha (13.12 %) of Permanent Fallow land. Medium farmers possess 1.21 ha (13.64 %) of dry land and 4.86 ha (54.55 %) of irrigated land, 2.83 ha (31.82 %) of Permanent Fallow land. Large farmers possess 5.26 ha (100 %) of irrigated land.  The results indicate that, the average value of dry land was Rs. 482,123.30, the average value of irrigated land was Rs. 462,326.31 and the average value of Permanent Fallow land was Rs. 292,814.52. In case of marginal famers, the average land value was Rs. 609,297.91 for dry land and the average value of irrigated land was Rs. 804,621.22 and the average value of Permanent Fallow land was Rs. 493,999.99. In case of small famers, the average land value was Rs. 494,690.26 for dry land, Rs. 695,436.89 for irrigated land and Rs. 898,181.80 for Permanent Fallow land. In case of semi medium famers, the average land value was Rs. 282,285.71 for dry land, Rs. 691,600 for irrigated land and Rs. 367,162.16 for Permanent Fallow land. In case of medium farmers, the average land value was Rs. 411,666.67 for dry land, Rs. 226,416.67 for irrigated land and Rs. 141,142.86 for Permanent Fallow land. In case of large farmers, the average land value was Rs. 152,000 for irrigated land.  The results indicate that, there were 16 functioning bore wells in the micro watershed.  The results indicate that, bore well was the major irrigation source in the micro water shed for 45.71 per cent of the farmers.  The results indicate that, the depth of bore well was found to be 48.77 meters.  The results indicate that, marginal, small, semi medium, medium and large farmers had an irrigated area of 0.53 ha, 4.17 ha, 8.53 ha, 4.86 ha and 5.26 ha respectively.  The results indicate that, farmers have grown cotton (16.08 ha), groundnut (13.96 ha), Paddy (6.39 ha) and Sorghum (1.79 ha). Marginal farmers have grown sorghum, cotton, paddy and groundnut. Small farmers have grown cotton, groundnut and paddy. 3 Semi medium farmers have grown sorghum, cotton, paddy and groundnut. Medium farmers have grown groundnut and paddy. Large farmers have grown cotton.  The results indicate that, the cropping intensity in Balachakra-2 micro-watershed was found to be 90.16 per cent.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for Cotton was Rs. 37926.63. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 69904.76. The net income from Cotton cultivation was Rs. 31978.12. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1: 1.84.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for Sorghum was Rs. 32863.51. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 41451.87. The net income from Sorghum cultivation was Rs. 8588.36. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1: 1.26.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for groundnut was Rs. 60722.13. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 63445.98. The net income from groundnut cultivation was Rs. 2723.85. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1: 1.04.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for paddy was Rs. 71170.09. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 65539.52. The net income from paddy cultivation was Rs. -5630.56. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1: 0.92.  The results indicate that, 37.14 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was adequate and green fodder was adequate.  The results indicate that the annual gross income was Rs. 25,000 for landless, Rs. 69,955 for marginal farmers, for small farmers it was Rs. 99,860, semi medium farmers it was Rs. 112,857.14, medium farmers it was Rs. 110,006.67 and large farmers it was Rs. 345,000.  The results indicate that the average annual expenditure is Rs. 16,517.12. For landless it was Rs. 7,500, marginal farmers it was Rs. 6,769.44, for small farmers it was Rs. 5,583.33, for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 13,010.20, medium farmers it was Rs. 25,111.11 and large farmers it was Rs. 262,000.  The results indicate that, households have planted 26 Mango in their field and 8 Mango and 2 coconut trees in their backyard.  The results indicate that, households have planted 4 Eucalyptus, 99 Neem and 2 Banyan trees in their field and 1 Neem tree in their backyard.  The results indicated that, households have an average investment capacity of Rs. 4,685.71 for land development, households have an average investment capacity of Rs. 7,457.14 for Irrigation facility, households have an average investment capacity of Rs. 2,371.43 for improved crop production and households have an average investment capacity of Rs. 571.43 improved livestock management.  The results indicated that Government subsidy was the source of additional investment for 5.71 per cent for irrigation facility. Loan from bank was the source of additional investment for 28.57 per cent for land development, 8.57 per cent for irrigation 4 facility, 20.0 per cent for improved crop production and 11.43 per cent for improved livestock management. Own funds were the source of additional investment for 2.86 per cent for land development and improved crop production.  The results indicated that, cotton was sold to the extent of 100 per cent, Groundnut was sold to the extent of 92.47per cent, Paddy was sold to the extent of 93.18 per cent and Sorghum was sold to the extent of 88.46 per cent.  The results indicated that, about 97.14 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.  The results indicated that, 77.14 per cent of the households have experienced soil and water erosion problems in the farm.  The results indicated that, 94.29 per cent have shown interest in soil test.  The results indicated that, 88.57 per cent of the households used firewood as a source of fuel and 11.43 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 97.14 per cent of the households in the micro watershed.  The results indicated that, Electricity was the major source of light for 100 per cent of the households in micro watershed.  The results indicated that, 54.29 per cent of the households possess sanitary toilet facility.  The results indicated that, 100 per cent of the sampled households possessed BPL cards.  The results indicated that, 88.57 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 68.57 per cent of the households, Vegetables were adequate for 88.57 per cent, Fruits were adequate for 11.43 per cent, Milk and were adequate for 97.14 per cent and Meat and Egg were adequate for 100 per cent.  The results indicated that, Pulses were inadequate for 31.43 per cent of the households, oilseeds were inadequate for 100 per cent, vegetables were inadequate for 11.43 per cent, fruits were inadequate for 85.71 per cent and milk was inadequate for 2.86 per cent of the households.  The results indicated that, lower fertility status of the soil was the constraint experienced by 80 per cent of the households, Wild animal menace on farm field (20 %), frequent incidence of pest and diseases (85.71 %), Inadequacy of irrigation water (42.86 %), High cost of Fertilizers and plant protection chemicals (80 %), High rate of interest on credit (74.29 %), Lack of marketing facilities in the area (14.29 %), Inadequate extension services (2.86 %) and Low price for the agricultural commodities (62.86 %).