LAND RESOURCE INVENTORY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF FARM HOUSEHOLDS FOR WATERSHED PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT YAGAPUR TANDA-2 (4D5B2H1b) MICROWATERSHED Yadgir Taluk and District, Karnataka

Abstract

The land resource inventory of Yagapur Tanda-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 540 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 620 ha in the microwatershed is covered by soils, 10 ha by rock outcrops and 15 ha by others (habitation and water body). The salient findings from the land resource inventory are summarized briefly below.  The soils belong to 5 soil series and 6 soil phases (management units) and 5 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 246 ha area in the microwatershed is suitable for agriculture.  About <1 per cent area is very shallow (<25 cm), 14 per cent area is moderately deep (75-100 cm), 22 per cent area is deep (100 - 150 cm) and 9 per cent area is very deep (>150 cm).  About 21 per cent area in the microwatershed has loamy soils and 25 per cent clay soils at the surface.  An area of 35 per cent is non gravelly (<15%) and 10 per cent of area is gravelly (15-35%) in the microwatershed.  About 21 per cent area of the microwatershed is very high (>200 mm/m) in available water capacity, 24 per cent is low (51-100 mm/m) and <1 per cent area is very low (<50 mm/m).  Entire cultivated area in the microwatershed has very gently sloping (1-3% slope) lands.  Entire cultivated area is moderately (e2) eroded in the microwatershed.  An area of about 6 per cent is slightly acid (pH 6.0-6.5), 1 per cent is moderately acid (pH 5.5-6.0), 12 per cent is neutral (pH 6.5-7.3), 18 per cent is slightly alkaline (pH 7.3-7.8) and 9 per cent is moderately alkaline (pH 7.8-8.4) in soil reaction.  The Electrical Conductivity (EC) of entire soils of the microwatershed is <2 dsm- 1indicating that the soils are non-saline.  An area of 40 per cent is high (>0.75%) and 5 per cent area is medium (0.5-0.75%) in organic carbon content.  An area of about 31 per cent is medium (23-57 kg/ha), low (<23 kg/ha) in 14 per cent of area and <1 per cent area is high (>57 kg/ha) in available phosphorus content in the microwatershed.  An area of about 4 per cent is medium (145-337 kg/ha) and 42 per cent area is high (>337 kg/ha) in available potassium content of the microwatershed.  Available sulphur is low (<10 ppm) in an area of about 44 per cent and medium (10 - 20 ppm) in 1 per cent of area in the microwatershed.  Available boron is low (<0.5 ppm) in an area of 15 per cent and medium (0.5-0.1 ppm) in an area of 30 per cent of the microwatershed.  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 43 per cent area and sufficient (>0.6 ppm) in 2 per cent 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 - 189 (35) Guava - 77 (14) Maize 77 (14) 112 (21) Sapota - 77 (14) Bajra 77 (14) 112 (21) Pomegranate - 123 (23) Groundnut 77 (14) - Musambi - 123 (23) Sunflower - 123 (23) Lime - 123 (23) Redgram - 189(35) Amla 77 (14) - Bengal gram - 46 (9) Cashew - 77 (14) Cotton - 46 (9) Jackfruit - 77 (14) Chilli 77 (14) 46 (9) Jamun - - Tomato 77 (14) - Custard apple 77 (14) 46 (9) Brinjal 77 (14) - Tamarind - - Onion 77 (14) - Mulberry - 77 (14) Bhendi 77 (14) 46 (9) Marigold 77 (14) 46 (9) Drumstick - 77 (14) Chrysanthemum 77 (14) 46 (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 112 (51.61%) men and 105 (48.39%) women among the sampled households.  The average family size of landless farmers’ was 7.4, marginal farmers’ was 4.5, small farmers’ was 6.3, semi medium farmers’ was 7.35 and medium farmers’ was 6.5.  The data indicated that, 37 (17.05%) people were in 0-15 years of age, 115 (53.00%) were in 16-35 years of age, 50 (23.04%) were in 36-60 years of age and 15 (6.91%) were above 61 years of age.  The results indicated that Yagapur Tanda-2 had 58.99 per cent illiterates, 7.37 per cent of them had primary school education, 10.14 per cent of them had middle school education, 8.76 per cent of them had high school education, 1.84 per cent of them had PUC education, 0.46 per cent of them had diploma and ITI and 5.07 per cent of them had degree education.  The results indicate that, 74.29 per cent of households were practicing agriculture, 5.71 per cent of the households were agricultural labourers and general labourers, 2.86 per cent of the households were private services and 8.57 per cent of them were housewives.  The results indicate that agriculture was the major occupation for 32.72 per cent of the household members, 7.37 per cent were agricultural laborers, 3.69 per cent were general labourers, 0.46 per cent were in government service, 23.69 per cent were in private service, 16.13 percent of the households were trade & business, 16.13 per cent were students, 27.19 per cent were housewives and 5.53 per cent were children.  The results show that 0.46 per cent of the population has participated in self hel group and 99.54 per cent of the population in the micro watershed has not participated in any local institutions.  The results indicate that 65.71 per cent of the households possess katcha house and 34.29 per cent of them possess pucca house.  The results show that 71.43 per cent of the households possess TV, 2.86 per cent of the households possess mixer/grinder, 31.43 per cent of the households possess motor cycle, 91.43 per cent of the households possess mobile phones and 2.86 per cent of the household possess unnamed asset.  The results show that the average value of television was Rs. 85200, mixer/grinder was Rs. 2,000, motor cycle was Rs. 35,454, mobile phone was Rs. 1,717 and unnamed asset was Rs. 1,000.  About 28.57 per cent of the households possess bullock cart, 37.14 per cent of the households possess plough, 2.86 per cent of them possess seed/fertilizer drill, 5.71 2 per cent of them were in tractor, 45.71 per cent of them possess sprayer, 25.71 per cent of them possess sprinkler and 57.14 per cent of them possess weeder.  The results show that the average value of bullock cart was Rs. 16,100, plough was Rs. 2,153, seed/fertilizer drill was Rs. 12,000, tractor was Rs. 700,000, the average value of sprayer was Rs. 3,343, sprinkler was Rs. 10,166 and the average value of weeder was Rs. 168.  The results indicate that, 54.29 per cent of the households possess bullocks, 40.00 per cent of the households possess local cow, 5.71 per cent of them possess goat and 2.86 per cent of them possess sheep and poultry birds.  The results indicate that, average own labour men available in the micro watershed was 1.90, average own labour (women) available was 1.97, average hired labour (men) available was 5.40 and average hired labour (women) available was 12.47. The results indicate that, 85.71 per cent of the households opined that the hired labour was adequate.  The results indicate that, households of the Yagapur Tanda-2 micro-watershed possess 21.06 ha (57.12 %) of dry land and 15.82 ha (42.88 %) of irrigated land. Marginal farmers possess 5.20 ha (97.28%) of dry land and 0.15 ha (2.72%) of irrigated land. Small farmers possess 10.92 ha (80.38%) of dry land and 2.67 ha (19.62%) of irrigated land. Semi medium farmers possess 4.94 ha (37.23%) of dry land and 8.32 ha (62.77%) of irrigated land. Medium farmers possess 4.68 ha (100%) of irrigated land.  The results indicate that, the average value of dry land was Rs. 518,201.73 and average value of irrigated land was Rs. 581,473.91. In case of marginal famers, the average land value was Rs. 1,056,376.37 for dry land and Rs. 2,058,333.25 for irrigated land. In case of small famers, the average land value was Rs. 393,516.12 for dry land and Rs. 712,139.60 for irrigated land. In case of semi medium famers, the average land value was Rs. 226,754.10 for dry land and Rs. 600,388.93 for irrigated land. In case of medium farmers, the average land value was Rs. 427,335.64 for irrigated land.  The results indicate that, there were 14 functioning bore wells in the micro watershed.  The results indicate that, bore well was the major irrigation source in the micro water shed for 42.86 per cent of the farmers.  The results indicate that, the depth of bore well was found to be 35.62 meters.  The results indicate that, marginal, small, semi medium farmers and medium farmers had an irrigated area of 0.15 ha, 2.67 ha, 9.37 ha and 4.68 ha respectively.  The results indicate that, farmers have grown cotton (8.26 ha), green gram (6.87 ha), groundnut (4.29 ha), paddy (1.21 ha), red gram (14.43 ha) and sorghum (3.29 ha). Marginal farmers have grown cotton, sorghum, red gram and green gram. Small farmers had grown cotton, green gram, sorghum and red gram. Semi medium 3 farmers had grown cotton, green gram, groundnut, paddy, red gram and sorghum. Medium farmers had grown cotton, groundnut, paddy, red gram and sorghum.  The results indicate that, the cropping intensity in Yagapur Tanda-2 microwatershed was found to be 76.06 per cent.  The results indicate that 100 per cent of the households have bank account and 31.43 per cent of the households have savings.  The results indicate that, 65.71 per cent of the households have availed credit from different sources.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for green gram was Rs. 107299.32. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 58623.20. The net income from green gram cultivation was Rs. -48676.12, thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.55.  The total cost of cultivation for Paddy was Rs. 114346.98. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 134669.89. The net income from Paddy cultivation was Rs. 20322.91. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.1.  The total cost of cultivation for groundnut was Rs. 126519.62. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 195444.40. The net income from groundnut cultivation was Rs. 68924.78. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.54.  The total cost of cultivation for cotton was Rs. 66382.67. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 129700.69. The net income from cotton cultivation was Rs. 63318.02. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.95.  The total cost of cultivation for red gram was Rs. 50365.85. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 79503.54. The net income from red gram cultivation was Rs. 29137.68. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.58.  The total cost of cultivation for sorghum was Rs. 77467.18. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 50852.48. The net income from sorghum cultivation was Rs. -26614.70. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.66.  The results indicate that, 57.14 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was adequate and 2.86 per cent of the households opined that green and dry fodder was inadequate.  The results indicate that the annual gross income was Rs. 140,000 for landless farmers, for marginal farmers it was Rs. 117,885, for small farmers it was Rs. 166,430, for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 183,547.50 and for medium farmers it was Rs. 311,900.  The results indicate that the average annual expenditure is Rs. 27,065.71. For landless households it was Rs. 28,000, for marginal farmers it was Rs. 19.300, for small farmers it was Rs. 17,380, for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 33,437.50 and for medium farmers it was Rs. 86,500. 4  The results indicate that, sampled households have grown 10 coconut tree, 165 custard apple, 8 mango and 1 sapota trees in the field. Also, 1 coconut and 4 custard apple tree in the backyard.  The results indicate that, households have planted 126 neem trees, 5 tamarind trees, 19 teak and 5 acacia tree in their field and 7 neem trees in their backyard.  The results indicated that, households have an average investment capacity of Rs. 27,171.43 for land development, Rs. 15,714.29 for irrigation facility and Rs. 2,571.43 for improved crop production.  The results indicated that government subsidy was the source of additional investment for 11.43 per cent for irrigation facility. Loan from bank was the source of additional investment for 8.57 per cent for land development, for 11.43 per cent for irrigation facility and for 5.71 per cent for improved crop production. Own funds was the source of additional investment for 42.86 per cent for land development and 2.86 per cent for irrigation facility.  The results indicated that, cotton was sold to the extent of 100 per cent, green gram was sold to the extent of 91.45 per cent, groundnut was sold to the extent of 86.67 per cent, paddy was sold to the extent of 86.21 per cent, red gram was sold to the extent of 82.63 per cent and sorghum was sold to the extent of 73.68 per cent.  The results indicated that, about 28.57 per cent of the farmers sold their produce to local/village merchants and 91.43 per cent of the farmers sold their produce to Regulated market.  The results indicated that, 117.14 per cent of the households have used tractor and 2.86 per cent of the households have used truck as a mode of transportation for their agricultural produce.  The results indicated that, 48.57 per cent of the households have experienced soil and water erosion problems in the farm.  The results indicated that, 91.43 per cent have shown interest in soil test.  The results indicated that, 74.29 per cent of the households used firewood 2.86 per cent used biogas and 31.43 per cent 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 5.71 per cent of the households used bore well 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, 45.71 per cent of the households possess sanitary toilet.  The results indicated that, 100 per cent of the sampled households possessed BPL card.  The results indicated that, 80 per cent of the households participated in NREGA programme.  The results indicated that, cereals were adequate for 71.43 per cent of the households, pulses were adequate for 77.14 per cent, oilseeds were adequate for 5 62.86 per cent, vegetables were adequate for 2.86 per cent, milk was adequate for 34.29 per cent and eggs were adequate for 11.43 per cent.  The results indicated that, cereals were inadequate for 28.57, pulses were inadequate for 20.00 per cent, oilseeds were inadequate for 37.14 per cent, vegetables were inadequate for 97.14 per cent, fruits were inadequate for 100 per cent, milk were inadequate for 65.71, eggs were inadequate for 88.57 per cent and meat was inadequate for 100 per cent of the households.  The results indicated that, lower fertility status of the soil was the constraint experienced by 77.14 per cent of the households, wild animal menace on farm field (80.00%), frequent incidence of pest and diseases (85.71%), inadequacy of irrigation water (74.29%), high cost of fertilizers and plant protection chemicals (85.71%), high rate of interest on credit (85.71%), low price for the agricultural commodities (85.71%), lack of marketing facilities in the area (20.00%), inadequate extension services (22.86%) and lack of transport for the safe transport of agricultural produce to the market (54.29%)