LAND RESOURCE INVENTORY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF FARM HOUSEHOLDS FOR WATERSHED PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT BACHAWAR (4D5B1D2d) MICROWATERSHED Yadgir Taluk and District, Karnataka

Abstract

The land resource inventory of Bachawar 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 429 ha in Bachawar microwatershed in Yadgir taluk & district, Karnataka. The climate is semiarid and categorized as droughtprone 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 272 ha in the microwatershed is covered by soils, 149 ha by rock outcrops and about 7 ha by others (habitation and water bodies). The salient findings from the land resource inventory are summarized briefly below.  The soils belong to 3 soil series and 5 soil phases (management units) and 2 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.  Entire area in the microwatershed is suitable for agriculture.  About 64 per cent area of the microwatershed has soils are very shallow to moderately shallow (<25-75 cm).  About 14 per cent area in the microwatershed has sandy soils, 50 per cent has loamy soils and 1 per cent clayey soils.  About of 1 per cent area of the microwatershed has non gravelly (<15%) soils and 62 per cent has gravelly (15-35%) soils.  Entire cultivated area of the microwatershed is very low (<50 mm/m) in available water capacity.  An area of 28 per cent has very gently sloping (1-3% slope) lands and 35 per cent has gently sloping (3-5% slope) lands in the microwatershed.  An area of about 28 per cent area is moderately (e2) eroded and 35 per cent area is severely (e3) eroded.  An area of about 2 per cent is slightly acid (pH 6.0-6.5), 28 per cent is neutral (pH 6.5-7.3), 32 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 in the entire cultivated area of the microwatershed is dominantly <2 dsm-1indicating that the soils are non-saline.  Entire cultivated area of the microwatershed has soils that are high (>0.75%) in organic carbon content.  Entire cultivated area of the microwatershed is medium (23-57 kg/ha) available phosphorus content.  Entire cultivated area of the microwatershed is medium (145-337 kg/ha) in available potassium content.  Available sulphur is low (<10 ppm) in 23 per cent, medium (10-20 ppm) in 31 per cent and high (>20 ppm) in 9 per cent of the microwatershed.  Available boron is low (<0.5 ppm) in the entire cultivated area of the microwatershed.  Available iron is sufficient (>4.5 ppm) in the entire cultivated area of the microwatershed.  Available manganese and copper are sufficient in the entire cultivated area of the microwatershed.  Available zinc is deficient (<0.6 ppm) in 34 per cent and sufficient (<0.6 ppm) in 30 per cent 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 - - Guava - - Maize - - Sapota - - Bajra - - Pomegranate - - Groundnut - - Musambi - - Sunflower - - Lime - - Redgram - - Amla - - Bengal gram - - Cashew - - Cotton - - Jackfruit - - Chilli - - Jamun - - Tomato - - Custard apple - - Brinjal - - Tamarind - - Onion - - Mulberry - - Bhendi - - Marigold - - Drumstick - - Chrysanthemum - - 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 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 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 sub marginal 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 92 (62.16%) men and 56 (37.84%) women among the sampled households.  The average family size of landless farmers’ was 3, marginal farmers’ was 3.8, small farmers’ was 4.1 semi medium farmers’ was 4.7 and medium farmers’ was 5.  The data indicated that, 6 (45%) people were in 0-15 years of age, 66 (44.59 %) were in 16-35 years of age, 61 (41.22%) were in 36-60 years of age and 15 (10.14%) were above 61 years of age.  The results indicated that Bachawar had 70.95 per cent illiterates, 7.43 per cent of them had primary school, 0.68 per cent of them had middle school and masters, 11.49 per cent of them had high school education and 45 per cent of them had PUC and degree.  The results indicate that, 35.14 per cent of household heads were practicing agriculture, 59.46 per cent of the household heads were agricultural laborers, 2.70 per cent of the households were private services and 5.41 per cent of the households were trade and business.  The results indicate that agriculture was the major occupation for 39.19 per cent of the household members, 48.65 per cent were agricultural labourers, 23 per cent were in Private Service, 2.70 per cent were in trade and business and housewives, 45 per cent were students and 0.68 per cent were children.  The results show that, 100 per cent of the population in the micro watershed has not participated in local institutions.  The results indicate that 2.7 per cent of the households possess Thatched house and 97.3 per cent of the households possess katcha house.  The results show that 72.97 per cent of the households possess TV, 8.11 per cent of the households possess mixer/grinder, 2.7 per cent of the households possess bicycle, 24.32 per cent of the households possess motor cycle and 97.30 per cent of the households possess mobile phones.  The results show that the average value of television was Rs. 9,074, mixer/grinder and bicycle was Rs. 2,000, motor cycle was Rs. 44,000 and mobile phone was Rs. 3,179.  About 8.11 per cent of the households possess bullock cart, 13.51 per cent of them possess plough and chaff cutter, 2.7 per cent of them possess sprayer, harvester and thresher.  The results show that the average value of bullock cart was Rs. 22,000, plough was Rs. 1,166, sprayer was Rs. 4,000, harvester was Rs. 12,000, thresher was Rs. 14,000 and the average value of chaff cutter was Rs. 180.  The results indicate that, 10.81 per cent of the households possess bullocks and local cow. 2  The results indicate that, average own labour men available in the micro watershed was 23 and average own labour (women) available was 1.5, average hired labour (men) available and average hired labour (women) available was 6.88.  The results indicate that, 91.89 per cent of the households opined that the hired labour was adequate.  The results indicate that, households of the Bachawar micro-watershed possess 23.99 ha (69.53%) of dry land and 10.51 ha (30.47%) of irrigated land. Marginal farmers possess 8.79 ha (90.5%) of dry land and 0.92 ha (9.5 %) of irrigated land. Small farmers possess 7.77 ha (68.83%) of dry land and 3.52 ha (31.17%) of irrigated land. Semi medium farmers possess 7.42 ha (82.9 %) of dry land and 1.62 ha (17.91%) of irrigated land. Medium farmers possess 4.45 ha (100%) of irrigated land.  The results indicate that, the average value of dry land was Rs. 502,083.33 and the average value of irrigated land was Rs. 446,843.72. In case of marginal famers, the average land value was Rs. 801,357.57 for dry land and average land value was Rs. 541,666.65 for irrigated land. In case of small famers, the average land value was Rs. 411,452.37 for dry land and Rs. 596,206.89 for irrigated land. In case of semi medium famers, the average land value was Rs. 242,420.94 for dry land and Rs. 494,000 for irrigated land. In case of medium famers, the average land value was Rs. 291,9099 for irrigated land.  The results indicate that, there were 9 functioning bore wells in the micro watershed.  The results indicate that, bore well was the major irrigation source in the micro water shed for 27.3 per cent of the farmers.  The results indicate that, the depth of bore well was found to be 28.83 meters.  The results indicate that marginal, small and semi medium and medium farmers had an irrigated area of 4.49 ha, 3.52 ha, 1.62 ha and 4.45 ha respectively.  The results indicate that, farmers have grown red gram (14.77 ha), cotton (5.36 ha), groundnut (4.49 ha), sorghum (3.77 ha), green gram (2.15 ha) and paddy (1.3 ha). Marginal farmers have red gram, cotton, groundnut, sorghum, green gram and paddy. Small farmers have grown red gram, cotton, groundnut, sorghum and paddy. Semi medium farmers have grown red gram and groundnut. Medium farmers have grown red gram, cotton and green gram. The results indicate that, the cropping intensity in Bachawar micro-watershed was found to be 92.22 per cent.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for Cotton was Rs. 30490.20. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 90432.97. The net income from Cotton cultivation was Rs. 59942.76. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:2.97.  The total cost of cultivation for Red gram was Rs. 47358.83. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 194677.30. The net income from Red gram cultivation was Rs. 147318.46. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:4.11. 3  The total cost of cultivation for Paddy was Rs. 65147.98. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 123911.66. The net income from Paddy cultivation was Rs. 58763.68. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.9.  The total cost of cultivation for groundnut was Rs. 43278.49. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 92562.89. The net income from Groundnut cultivation was Rs. 49284.40. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:2.14.  The total cost of cultivation for sorghum was Rs. 36132.53. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 31115.61. The net income from sorghum cultivation was Rs. - 5016.92. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.86.  The total cost of cultivation for green gram was Rs. 816769. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 91638.50. The net income from green gram cultivation was Rs. 9962.41. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.12.  The results indicate that, 18.92 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder and green fodder was adequate.  The results indicate that the annual gross income was Rs. 110,750 for landless farmers, for marginal farmers it was Rs. 106,853.33, for small farmers it was Rs. 110,888.89, semi medium farmers it was Rs. 147,000 and medium farmers it was Rs. 147,500.  The results indicate that the average annual expenditure is Rs. 14,439.67. For landless households it was Rs. 34,375, for marginal farmers it was Rs. 4,237.11, for small farmers it was Rs. 9,222.22, for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 25,625 and medium farmers it was Rs. 67,500.  The results indicate that, households have planted 5 mango and 10 coconut trees in their field and also 2 coconut trees in their backyard.  The results indicate that, households have planted 10 teak, 50 Neem, 2 Banyan and 7 tamarind trees in their field and also 5 neem trees in their backyard.  The results indicated that, households have an average investment capacity of Rs. 1,540.54 for land development and households have an average investment capacity of Rs. 273 for improved crop production.  The results indicated that loan from bank was the source of additional investment for 224.32 per cent each for land development. Own funds was the source of additional investment for 5.41 per cent each for land development and 2.7 per cent for improved crop production.  The results indicated that, cotton was sold to the extent of 100 per cent, green gram was sold to the extent of 87.88 per cent, groundnut to the extent of 93.75 per cent, paddy and sorghum was sold to the extent of 88.89 per cent and red gram was sold to the extent of 93.81 per cent.  The results indicated that, about 2.70 per cent of the farmers sold their produce to agent/ traders, 89.19 per cent of the farmers sold their produce to local/village merchants. 4  The results indicated that, 88.57 per cent of the households have used tractor as a mode of transportation.  The results indicated that, 62.16 per cent of the households have experienced soil and water erosion problems in the farm.  The results indicated that, 85.71 per cent have shown interest in soil test.  The results indicated that, 91.89 per cent of the households used firewood as a source of fuel and 8.11 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 100 per cent of the households in the micro watershed.  Electricity was the major source of light for 97.3 per cent of the households in micro watershed.  The results indicated that, 67.57 per cent of the households possess sanitary toilet facility.  The results indicated that, 97.3 per cent of the sampled households possessed BPL cards.  The results indicated that, 78.38 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 81.8 per cent, vegetables were adequate for 31.43 per cent, fruits were adequate for 86.49 per cent, milk, egg and meat were adequate for 97.3 per cent.  The results indicated that, pulses were inadequate for 18.92 per cent, oilseeds were inadequate for 100 per cent, vegetables were inadequate for 13.51 per cent and fruits were inadequate for 91.89 per cent of the households.  The results indicated that, lower fertility status of the soil and high cost of Fertilizers and plant protection chemicals was the constraint experienced by 89.19 per cent of the households, wild animal menace on farm field (48.65%), frequent incidence of pest and diseases (51.35%), Inadequacy of irrigation water and High rate of interest on credit (2.7%), Low price for the agricultural commodities (21.62%) and lack of marketing facilities in the area (5.41%).