LAND RESOURCE INVENTORY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF FARM HOUSEHOLDS FOR WATERSHED PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT HIRESOOLIKERI (4D3A9N2c) MICRO WATERSHED Irakallagada Hobli, Koppal Taluk and District, Karnataka

Abstract

The land resource inventory of Hire Sulikeri 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 512 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 62 per cent is covered by soil, 34 per cent by rock outcrops and 4 per cent by habitation and water body. The salient findings from the land resource inventory are summarized briefly below  The soils belong to 17 soil series and 25 soil phases (management units) and 8 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 21 per cent of the soils are shallow (25-50 cm), 18 per cent of the soils are moderately shallow (50-75 cm), 3 per cent moderately deep (75- 100 cm) and 21 per cent is deep to very deep (100->150cm) soils.  About 3 per cent sandy, 39per cent loamy (sandy loam and sandy clay loam) and 20 per cent has clayey (sandy clay and clay) soils at the surface.  About 14 per cent of the area has non-gravelly (<15%) soils, 43 per cent has gravelly soils (15-35 % gravel) and 5 per cent very gravelly (35-60 %) soils.  With respect to available water capacity 30 per cent of the area has very low (<50mm/m), 18 per cent of the area has low (51-100 mm/m), 4 per cent medium (101- 150 mm/m) and 10 per cent very high (>200 mm/m) in available water capacity.  An area of about 9 per cent is nearly level (0-1%), 51 per cent is very gently sloping (1-3%) and 2 per cent is gently sloping (3-5%) lands.  An area of about 16 per cent is slightly eroded (e1) and 46 per cent is moderately eroded (e2) lands.  An area of about 4 per cent is strongly acid (pH 5.0-5.5), 10 per cent is moderately acid (pH 5.5-6.0), 28 per cent is slightly acid (pH 6.0-6.5), 15 per cent is neutral (pH 6.5-7.3), 3 per cent is slightly alkaline (pH 7.3-7.8) and 1 per cent is moderately alkaline (pH 7.8-8.4) in reaction.  The Electrical Conductivity (EC) of the soils are dominantly <2 dSm-1 indicating that the soils are non saline.  Organic carbon is medium (0.5-0.75%) in 35 per cent and high (>0.75%) in 27 per cent area of the soils.  Available phosphorus is medium (23-57 kg/ha) in 6 per cent and high (>57 kg/ha) in 56 per cent area of the microwatershed.  Available potassium is low (<145 kg/ha) in 1 per cent, medium (145-337 kg/ha) in 54 per cent and high (>337 kg/ha) in 7 per cent of the soils.  Available sulphur is high (>20 ppm) in the entire area of the microwatershed.  Available boron is low (<0.5 ppm) in 41 per cent and medium (0.5-1.0) in 21 per cent area of the microwatershed.  Available iron is sufficient in the entire area of the microwatershed.  Available zinc is deficient (<0.6 ppm) in 1 per cent and sufficient (>0.6 ppm) in 61 per cent area of the microwatershed.  Available manganese and copper are sufficient in the entire area of the microwatershed.  The land suitability for 31 major agricultural and horticultural crops grown in the microwatershed was assessed and the areas that are highly suitable (class S1) and moderately suitable (class 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 37(7) 103(20) Sapota - 28(6) Maize - 145(28) Pomegranate - 80(16) Bajra 17(3) 160(30) Musambi 37(7) 43(9) Groundnut 17(3) 115(23) Lime 37(7) 43(9) Sunflower 37(7) 34(7) Amla 55(11) 150(29) Redgram - 71(14) Cashew - 15(3) Bengal gram 52(10) 110(22) Jackfruit - 28(6) Cotton 37(7) 102(20) Jamun - 81(16) Chilli - 124(24) Custard apple 55(11) 150(29) Tomato - 124(24) Tamarind - 81(16) Brinjal 6(1) 129(25) Mulberry 13(3) 63(13) Onion 6(1) 92(18) Marigold - 139(27) Bhendi 6(1) 129(25) Chrysanthemum - 139(27) Drumstick - 104(20) Jasmine - 87(17) Mango - 15(3) Crossandra - 88(17) Guava - 28(6)  Apart from the individual crop suitability, a proposed crop plan has been prepared for the 8 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 to these problematic soils like saline/alkali, highly eroded, sandy soils etc.,  Soil and water conservation and drainage line 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 114(56.72%) men and 87 (43.28%) were women among the sampled households.  The average family size of large farmers’ was 3.6, marginal farmers’ was 4.4, small farmers’ was 8.6, semi medium farmers’ was 16.4 and medium farmers’ was 7.2.  The data indicated that, 37 (18.41%) people were in 0-15 years of age, 96 (47.76%) were in 16-35 years of age, 53 (26.37%) were in 36-60 years of age and 15 (7.46%) were above 61 years of age.  The results indicated that Hire Sulikeri had 48.76 per cent illiterates, 0.50 per cent were functional literate, 25.87 per cent of them had primary school education, 3.48 per cent of them had middle school education, 7.96 per cent of them had high school education, 4.98 per cent of them had PUC education, 2.49 per cent of them had degree education and 1.0 per cent of them did Masters.  The results indicate that, 82.50 per cent of household heads were practicing agriculture and 15 per cent of the household heads were agricultural labourers.  The results indicate that agriculture was the major occupation for 36.82 per cent of the household members, 36.82 per cent were agricultural labourers, 0.50 per cent had general labour, 0.5 per cent were in government service, 0.5 per cent were in private service, 18.41 per cent were students, 0.5 per cent were housewives and 5.47 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 67.50 per cent of the households possess katcha house, 2.50 per cent of them possess pucca/RCC house and 30 per cent of them possess semi pucca house.  The results show that 50 per cent of the households possess TV, 30 per cent of them possess mixer/grinder, 2.50 per cent of them possess bicycle, 30 per cent of the households possess motor cycle and 65 per cent of the households possess mobile phones.  The results show that the average value of television was Rs 8,952, mixer grinder was Rs 3,538, bicycle was Rs 6,000, motor cycle was Rs. 51,538 and mobile phone was Rs. 3,261.  About 7.50 per cent of the households possess bullock cart, 20 per cent of them possess plough, 7.50 per cent possess tractor, 10 per cent of them possess sprayer, 12.50 per cent of them sprinkler, 32.50 per cent of them possess weeder.  The results show that the average value of bullock cart was Rs. 46,666, plough was Rs. 1,200, tractor was Rs 533,333, sprayer was Rs. 5,625, sprinkler was Rs. 2,650, average value of weeder was Rs.68 and average value of Harvester was Rs.120. 2  The results indicate that, 27.50 per cent of the households possess bullocks, 22.50 per cent of the households possess local cow.12.50 per cent of households possess buffalo and 2.50 per cent of households possess sheep and goat.  The results indicate that, average own labour men available in the micro watershed was 42.50, average own labour (women) available was 23.31, average hired labour (men) available was 12.75 and average hired labour (women) available was 12.53.  The results indicate that, 50 per cent of the households opined that the hired labour was adequate and 40 per cent of the households opined that the hired labour was inadequate.  The results indicate that, households of the Hire Sulikeri micro-watershed possess 33.14 ha (52.07%) of dry land and 29.70 ha (46.66%) of irrigated land and 0.81 ha (1.27 %) of permanent fallow land. Marginal farmers possess 3.07 ha (86.35%) of dry land and 0.49 ha (13.65%) of irrigated land. Small farmers possess 13.15 ha (100%) of dry land. Semi medium farmers possess 16.92 ha (55.01%) of dry land and 13.84 ha (44.99%) of irrigated land. Medium farmers possess 15.38 ha (95%) of irrigated land and 0.81ha (5%) permanent fallow land.  The results indicate that, the average value of dry land was Rs. 373,968.25 and the average value of irrigated land was Rs. 339,877.39 and the average value of permanent fallow land was Rs. 617,500. In case of marginal famers, the average land value was Rs. 520,685.11 for dry land and Rs. 1,029,166.63. In case of small famers, the average land value was Rs. 402,800 for dry land. In case of semi medium famers, the average land value was Rs. 324,922.27 for dry land and Rs. 433,333.34 for irrigated land. In case of medium farmers, the average land value was Rs. 234,000.00 for irrigated land and the average land value was Rs.61, 500.  The results indicate that, there were 15 functioning and 4 de-functioning bore wells in the micro watershed.  The results indicate that, bore well was the major irrigation source in the micro water shed for 37.50 per cent of the farmers.  The results indicate that, the depth of bore well was found to be 37.80 meters. The results indicate that marginal, semi medium and medium farmers had an irrigated area of 0.49 ha, 1.77 ha, 11.42 and 13.77 ha respectively.  The results indicate that, farmers have grown Bajra (13.93 ha), groundnut (4.04 ha) maize (38.82 ha) and redgram (0.4 ha).  The results indicate that, the cropping intensity in Hire Sulikeri micro-watershed was found to be 75.76 per cent.  The results show that 27.50 per cent of the households possess bank account and saving.  The results show that 27.50 per cent of the households possess Borrowing status.  The results show that 9.09 per cent for commercial and cooperative bank and 18.18 per cent for Grameena bank of the households possess credit availed. 3  The results show that Rs. 25,363.64 of the households Average credit amount status. The results show that among 100 per cent of the households purpose of credit borrowed - Institutional credit for agricultural production.  The results show that 100 per cent of the household’s institutional repayment was unpaid. The results show that 100 per cent of the households Helped to perform timely agricultural operations.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for bajra was Rs. 22726.78. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 24101.75. The net income from Bajra cultivation was Rs. 1374.97. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.06.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for groundnut was Rs. 60997.38.The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 66166.36. The net income from groundnut cultivation was Rs. 5168.98. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.08.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for maize was Rs. 34245.84. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 39761.49. The net income from maize cultivation was Rs. 5515.65. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.16.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for redgram was Rs. 42416.61. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 24700.00. The net income from redgram cultivation was Rs. -17716.61. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.58.  The results indicate that, 50 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was adequate, 45 per cent of the households opined that green fodder was adequate.  The results indicate that the annual gross income was Rs. 27,000 for landless households, for marginal farmers it was Rs. 47,400, for small farmers it was Rs. 52,000, for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 88,062.50 and for medium farmers it was Rs. 206,400.  The results indicate that the average annual expenditure is Rs. 12,817.19. For landless households it was Rs. 4,000, for marginal farmers it was Rs. 5,800, for small farmers it was Rs. 4,444.44, for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 9,824.22 and for medium farmers it was Rs. 53,300.  . The results indicate that, sampled households have grown 18 coconut and 19 mango trees in their field.  The results indicate that, households have planted 109 neem, 6 tamarind 40 teak and 2 banyan trees and eucalyptus in their field.  The results indicated that, groundnut, maize and redgram were sold to the extent of 100 per cent and bajra was sold to the extent of 94.53 per cent.  . The results indicated that, about 80 per cent of the farmers sold their produce to agent/traders, 15 per cent of the farmers sold their produce to local/village merchants and 12.5 per cent of the farmers sold their produce to regulated market. 4  The results indicated that 85 per cent of the households used tractor and 22.5 per cent of used cart as a mode of transportation for their agricultural produce.  The results indicated that, 12.5 per cent of the households have experienced soil and water erosion problems in the farm.  The results indicated that, 27.50 per cent have shown interest in soil test.  The results indicated that, 92.50 per cent of the households used firewood and 10 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 45 per cent of the households, bore well was the source of drinking water for 5.71 per cent and lake/tank was the major source of drinking water for 55.0 per cent of the households in micro watershed.  Electricity was the major source of light for 100 per cent of the households in micro watershed. The results indicated that, 37.50 per cent of the households possess sanitary toilet facility.  The results indicated that, 100 per cent of the sampled households possessed BPL card.  The results indicated that, 37.5 per cent of the households participated in NREGA programme.  The results indicated that, cereals were adequate for 95 per cent of the households, pulses were adequate for 47.5 per cent, oilseeds were adequate for 17.50 per cent, vegetables were adequate for 67.50 per cent, milk was adequate for 77.50 per cent, eggs were adequate for 52.50 per cent and meat was adequate for 42.50 per cent.  The results indicated that, cereals were inadequate for 5.0 per cent of the households, pulses were inadequate for 52.5 per cent, oilseeds were inadequate for 82.5 per cent, vegetables were inadequate for 30 per cent, fruits were inadequate for 17.5 per cent, milk was inadequate for 20 per cent, eggs were inadequate for 22.5 per cent and meat was inadequate for 30 per cent of the households.  The results indicated that, lower fertility status of the soil was the constraint experienced by 25 per cent of the households, wild animal menace on farm feild (87.50%), frequent incidence of pest and diseases (20%), inadequacy of irrigation water (17.50%), high cost of fertilizers and plant protection chemicals (20%), high rate of interest on credit (17.5%), low price for the agricultural commodities (10%), lack of marketing facilities in the area (50%), lack of transport for safe transport of the agricultural produce to the market (20%), less rainfall (72.5%) and source of agri-technology information (42.5%).