LAND RESOURCE INVENTORY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF FARM HOUSEHOLDS FOR WATERSHED PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT BANHATTI (4D5B2K2b) MICROWATERSHED Yadgir Taluk and District, Karnataka

Abstract

The land resource inventory of Banhatti 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 830 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 702 ha (85%) ha in the microwatershed is covered by soils, about 52 ha (6%) by rock outcrops and about 76 ha (9%) by others (Habitation and water body). The salient findings from the land resource inventory are summarized briefly below.  The soils belong to 7 soil series and 12 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.  An area of about 85 per cent is suitable for agriculture in the microwatershed.  About 54 per cent area of the microwatershed has soils that are deep to very deep (100- >150 cm), 12 per cent soils are moderately deep (75-100), whereas 10 per cent soils are moderately shallow (50-75 cm) and 8 per cent soils are shallow (25-50 cm) in the microwatershed.  About 2 percent soils are sandy, 22 percent soils are loamy and 60 per cent is clayey soils at the surface.  An area of about 74 per cent is non gravelly (<15%) soils and about 11 per cent soils are gravelly (15-35%) soils in the microwatershed.  About 54 per cent area of the microwatershed is very high (>200 mm/m) in available water capacity, 12 per cent soils are medium (101-150 mm/m) and 18 per cent soils are low (51-100 mm/m) and very low (<50mm/m) in available water capacity.  An area of about 72 per cent is very gently sloping (1-3% slope) lands and about 13 per cent are nearly level (0-1% slope) lands.  An area of about 13 per cent has slightly eroded (e1 class) and 72 per cent has moderately eroded (e2 class).  An area of about 3 per cent is slightly acid (pH 6.0-6.5), 11 per cent has neutral (pH 6.5-7.3), 23 per cent has slightly alkaline (pH 7.3-7.8), 43 per cent has moderately alkaline (pH 7.8-8.4) and 5 per cent is strongly alkaline (pH 8.4-9.0) in soil reaction.  The Electrical Conductivity (EC) of the soils in the entire cultivated area of the microwatershed is <2 dsm-1 indicating that the soils are non-saline.  An area of <1 per cent is high (>0.75%), 53 percent is medium (0.50-0.75%) and 32 percent is low (<0.50%) in organic carbon content.  An area of <1 percent is low (<23 kg/ha) in available phosphorus, about 36 percent is medium (23-57 kg/ha) and 48 percent soils are high (>57 kg/ha) in available phosphorus.  An area of about 65 percent is high (>337kg/ha) and about 20 percent is medium (145-337kg/ha) in available potassium.  An area of about 25 percent is high (>20ppm), 30 percent is medium (10-20ppm) and 29 percent area is low (<10ppm) in available sulphur.  Available boron is low (<0.5 ppm) in an area of about 32 per cent and medium (0.5- 1.0 ppm) in about 53 per cent soils.  Available iron content is sufficient (>4.5 ppm) in an area of 49 per cent and dificient (<4.5 ppm) in about 35 per cent 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 - 504(61) Guava - - Maize - 504(61) Sapota - - Bajra - 504(61) Pomegranate - 399(48) Groundnut - 86(10) Musambi - 399(48) Sunflower - 399(48) Lime - 399(48) Redgram - 418(50) Amla - 86(10) Bengal gram - 399(48) Cashew - - Cotton - 399(48) Jackfruit - - Chilli - 485(58) Jamun - - Tomato - 86(10) Custard apple - 485(58) Brinjal - 86(10) Tamarind - - Onion - 86(10) Mulberry - - Bhendi - 485(58) Marigold - 485(58) Drumstick - - Chrysanthemum - 485(58) 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 36 farmers were sampled in Banhatti micro-watershed among them 7 (20 %) were landless, 8 (22.86 %) were marginal farmers, 9 (25.71 %) were small farmers, 5 (14.29 %) were semi medium farmers and 6 (17.14 %) were medium farmers.  The data indicated that there were 102 (61.82 %) men and 63 (38.18 %) women among the sampled households. The average family size of landless farmers’ was 5, marginal farmers’ was 4.5, small farmers’ was 4.77, semi medium farmers’ was 4.2 and medium farmers’ was 5.  The data indicated that, 20 (12.12 %) people were in 0-15 years of age, 86 (52.12 %) were in 16-35 years of age, 52 (31.52 %) were in 36-60 years of age and 7 (4.24 %) were above 61 years of age.  The results indicated that Banhatti had 33.33 per cent illiterates, 21.82 per cent of them had Primary School, 3.64 per cent of them had Middle School education, 21.21 per cent of them had High School education, 3.64 per cent of them had PUC education, 1.82 per cent of them had Diploma education, 0.61 per cent of them had ITI education and 10.30 per cent had degree education.  The results indicate that, 77.14 per cent of household heads were practicing agriculture, 14.29 per cent of the household heads were agricultural labourer, 2.86 per cent were Trade & Business and 5.71 per cent were Housewife.  The results indicate that agriculture was the major occupation for 35.76 per cent of the household members, 25.45 per cent were agricultural laborers, 0.61 per cent were general laborers and Household industry, 1.21 per cent were in private service, 13.94 per cent were students, 16.36 per cent were Housewife and 2.42 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 94.29 per cent of the households possess Katcha house and 5.71 per cent of them possess pucca/RCC house.  The results show that 82.86 per cent of the households possess TV, 2.86 per cent of the households possess DVD/VCD Player, 31.43 per cent of them possess mixer/grinder, 5.71 per cent of the households possess Refrigerator,17.14 per cent of the households possess motor cycle and 94.44 per cent of the households possess mobile phones.  The results show that the average value of television was Rs. 8,785, mixer/grinder was Rs. 2,000, motor cycle was Rs. 59,333, tempo was Rs. 180,000 and mobile phone was Rs. 3,002. 2  About 2.86 per cent each of the households possess Tractor, Thresher, Sprinkler, Chaff Cutter and Drip system, 31.43 per cent of the households possess Sprayer, 25.71 per cent of them possess weeder and 22.86 per cent of them possess Harvester.  For tractor it was Rs. 7,500, Sprayer was Rs. 4,090, Sprinkler was Rs. 10,000, Weeder was Rs. 957, Harvester was Rs. 600, Thresher was Rs. 400, Chaff Cutter was Rs. 200 and Drip system was Rs. 300.  The results indicate that, 11.43 per cent of the households possess bullocks, 8.57 per cent of the households possess local cow and 2.86 per cent of the households possess buffalo and Poultry birds.  The results indicate that, average own labour men available in the micro watershed was 1.47, average own labour (women) available was 1.07, average hired labour (men) available was 5.52 and average hired labour (women) available was 5.24.  The results indicate that, 74.29 per cent of the households opined that the hired labour was adequate and 5.71 per cent of the households opined that the hired labour was inadequate.  The results indicate that, households of the Banhatti micro-watershed possess 43.23 ha (78.38 %) of dry land and 11.92 ha (21.62 %) of irrigated land. Marginal farmers possess 5.49 ha (100 %) of dry land. Small farmers possess 10.60 ha (85.44 %) of dry land and 1.80 ha (14.56 %) of irrigated land. Semi medium farmers possess 11.36 ha (90.34 %) of dry land and 1.21 ha (9.66 %) of irrigated land. Medium farmers possess 15.78 ha (63.93 %) of dry land and 8.90 ha (36.07 %) of irrigated land.  The results indicate that, the average value of dry land was Rs. 518,191.29 and the average value of irrigated land was Rs. 326,986.58. In case of marginal famers, the average land value was Rs. 1,130,375.39 for dry land. In case of small famers, the average land value was Rs. 594,385.03 for dry land and the average value of irrigated land was Rs.1,107,623.31. In case of semi medium famers, the average land value was Rs. 598,361.24 for dry land and the average land value was Rs. 1,157,812.48 of irrigated land. In case of medium famers, the average land value was Rs. 196,333.33 for dry land and the average land value was Rs. 213,318.18 of irrigated land.  The results indicate that, there were 4 functioning and De-functioning bore well in the micro watershed.  The results indicate that, bore well was the major irrigation source in the micro water shed for 11.43 per cent of the farmers.  The results indicate that, the depth of bore well was found to be 4.96 meters.  The results indicate that small, semi-medium and medium farmers had an irrigated area  The results indicate that, farmers have grown red gram (28.22 ha), Paddy (6.07 ha), cotton (17.08 ha) and sorghum (0.16 ha). 3  The results indicate that, the cropping intensity in Banhatti micro-watershed was found to be 96.22 per cent.  The results indicate that, 77.14 per cent of the households have bank account and savings.  The results indicate that, 80 per cent of the households have availed credit from different sources.  The results indicate that, 42.86 per cent of the households have borrowed from Commercial Bank, 3.57 per cent from Friends/Relatives and 21.43 per cent from Grameena Bank.  The results indicate that, the average credit amount borrowed by households in micro-watershed was Rs. 54,214.29.  The results indicate that, 100 per cent of the households borrowed from institutional sources for the purpose of agricultural production.  The results indicate that, 100 per cent of the households borrowed from private credit for the purpose of agricultural production.  The results indicated that 100 per cent of the households did not repay their loan borrowed from institutional sources.  The results indicated that 100 per cent of the households did not repay their loan borrowed from Private source.  The results indicate that, around 100 per cent opined that the loan amount borrowed from institutional sources helped to perform timely agricultural operations.  The results indicate that, around 100 per cent opined that the loan amount borrowed from institutional sources helped to Easy accessibility of credit.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for red gram was Rs. 49387.42. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 78695.08. The net income from red gram cultivation was Rs. 29307.65. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1: 1.59  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for cotton was Rs. 37760.88. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 62872.09. The net income from cotton cultivation was Rs. 25111.21. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1: 1.67.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for Paddy was Rs. 28165.58. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 76570. The net income from Paddy cultivation was Rs. 48404.42. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1: 2.72.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for sorghum was Rs. 60649.60. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 76000. The net income from sorghum cultivation was Rs. 15350.40. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1: 1.25.  The results indicate that, 22.86 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was adequate and 2.86 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was inadequate. 4  The results indicate that the annual gross income was Rs. 19,142.86 for landless farmers, for marginal farmers it was Rs. 80,000, for small farmers it was Rs. 118,333.33, for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 184,000 and for medium farmers it was Rs. 343,333.33.  The results indicate that the average annual expenditure is Rs. 13,509.52. For landless households it was Rs. 8,285.71, for marginal farmers it was Rs. 5,500, for small farmers it was Rs. 6,888.89, for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 16,600 and for medium farmers it was Rs. 37,638.89 .  The results indicate that, sampled households have grown 5 coconut, 2 madarin, 5 mango and 2 lime trees in their field and 1 mango in backyard.  The results indicate that, households have planted 68 neem, 14Tamarind and 2 Pongamia trees in their field and 1 neem in backyard.  The results indicated that, households have an average investment capacity of Rs. 8,485.71 for land development.  The results indicated that Soft loan was the source of additional investment for 74.29per cent for land development.  The results indicated that, Paddy was sold to the extent of 83.33 per cent, cotton was sold to the extent of 100 per cent, Redgram was sold to the extent of 85.22 per cent and sorghum was sold to the extent of 60 per cent.  The results indicated that, about 57.14 per cent of the farmers sold their produce to agent/ traders, 5.71 per cent of the farmers sold their produce to local/village merchants, 14.29 per cent of them sold in regulated markets and 5.71 per cent of them sold in Cooperative marketing Society.  The results indicated that, 82.86 per cent of the households have used tractor as a mode of transportation for their agricultural produce.  The results indicated that, 5.71 per cent of the households have experienced soil and water erosion problems in the farm.  The results indicated that, 57.14 per cent have shown interest in soil test.  The results indicated that, Summer Graded Bund, Contour Cultivation and Bore Well Recharge Pit were adopted for 2.86 per cent, Summer Ploughing was adopted for 54.29 per cent, Dead Furrow was adopted for 22.86 per cent, Mulching was adopted for 54.29 per cent and Combination of deep and shallow root crops was adopted for 5.71per cent.  The results indicated that, 91.43 per cent of the households used firewood as a source of fuel and 5.71 per cent of the households used Dung Cake.  The results indicated that, piped supply was the major source of drinking water for 85.71 per cent of the households in the micro watershed and Bore Well was the major source of drinking water for 2.86 per cent of the households in the micro watershed . 5  The results indicated that, Electricity was the major source of light for 97.14 per cent of the households in micro watershed.  The results indicated that, 25.71 per cent of the households possess sanitary toilet facility.  The results indicated that, 97.14 per cent of the sampled households possessed BPL card.  The results indicated that, 94.29 per cent of the households participated in NREGA programme.  The results indicated that, cereals and pulses were adequate for 85.71 per cent of the households, oilseed and Vegetables were adequate for 62.86 per cent, Milk were adequate for 8.57 per cent, fruits was adequate for 48.57 per cent, eggs were adequate for 5.71 per cent and meat were adequate for 2.86 per cent.  The results indicated that, Cereals and pulses were inadequate for 2.86 per cent of the households, oilseed were inadequate for 25.71 per cent of the households, vegetables were inadequate for 28.57 per cent, fruits was inadequate for 37.14 per cent, milk were inadequate for 71.43 per cent, Meat were inadequate for 85.71 per cent and eggs were inadequate for 77.14 per cent.  The results indicated that, lower fertility status of the soil was the constraint experienced by 71.43 per cent, Wild animal menace on farm field was the constraint experienced by 48.57 per cent, frequent incidence of pest and diseases was the constraint experienced by 65.71 per cent, Inadequacy of irrigation water, high cost of fertilizer and plant protection chemicals and high rate of interest on credit was the constraint experienced by 68.57 per cent of the households and Low price for the agricultural commodities (57.14 %), Lack of marketing facilities in the area (40 %), Inadequate extension services (20 %) and Lack of transport for safe transport of the Agril produce to the market (14.29 %).