LAND RESOURCE INVENTORY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF FARM HOUSEHOLDS FOR WATERSHED PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT HONAGERI-2 (4D5B1H2b) MICROWATERSHED Hattakuni Hobli, Yadgir Taluk and District, Karnataka

Abstract

The land resource inventory of Honageri-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 600 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 572 ha in the microwatershed is covered by soils, An area about 2 ha in the microwatershed is covered by rock outcrops and about 26 ha by others (habitation and water bodies). The salient findings from the land resource inventory are summarized briefly below.  The soils belong to 11 soil series and 16 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 about 572 ha (95%) in the microwatershed is suitable for agriculture.  About 85 per cent area of the microwatershed has soils that are moderately deep to very deep (75 - >150 cm) and 10 per cent soils are moderately shallow (50 -75 cm).  About 4 per cent area in the microwatershed has sandy soils, 26 per cent area in the microwatershed has loamy soils and 65 per cent clayey soils at the surface.  About 95 per cent area in the microwatershed has non gravelly (<15%) soils.  About 71 per cent area of the microwatershed is very high (>200 mm/m) in available water capacity, 8 per cent is medium (101-150 mm/m), 12 per cent is low (51-100 mm/m) and 4 per cent area very low (<51 mm/m) in available water capacity.  About 71 per cent area of the microwatershed has very gently sloping (1-3% slope) land and 25 per cent nearly level (0-1%) soils.  An area of about 71 per cent area is moderately (e2) eroded and 25 percent soils are slightly eroded (e1).  An area of about 22 per cent soils are slightly acid (pH 6.0-6.5) in soil reaction, 12 per cent soils are neutral (pH 6.5-7.3) in soil reaction, 43 per cent soil are slightly to moderately alkaline (pH 7.3-8.4) and 19 per cent soils are strongly to very strongly alkaline (8.4 - >9.0).  The Electrical Conductivity (EC) of the soils in the entire area of the microwatershed is dominantly <2 dsm-1 indicating that the soils are non-saline.  About 14 per cent of the soils are low (<0.5%) in organic carbon and 82 per cent medium (0.5-0.75%).  About entire area is medium (23-57 kg/ha) in available phosphorus  About 93 percent of the soils are medium (145-337kg/ha) in available potassium and 2 percent area low(>337 kg/ha) in available potassium.  Available sulphur is low (<10 ppm) in an area of about 71 per cent, medium (10 - 20 ppm) in 16 per cent and high in 8 per cent area of the microwatershed.  Available boron is low (<0.5 ppm) in an area of about 63 per cent and medium (0.5-1.0 ppm) in an area of about 32 per cent.  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 the entire 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 480(80) 40(7) Sapota - 34(6) Maize 3(<1) 517(87) Pomegranate - 512(85) Bajra 3(<1) 549(91) Musambi 313(52) 198 (32) Groundnut - 74(12) Lime 313(52) 198 (32) Sunflower 346(58) 135(21) Amla 66(11) 454(76) Redgram - 450(74) Cashew - 3(<1) Bengal gram 477(80) 43(7) Jackfruit - 3(<1) Cotton 349(58) 172(28) Jamun - 509(85) Chilli - 551(92) Custard apple 478(80) 43(7) Tomato 3(<1) 303(51) Tamarind - 509(85) Drumstick - 511(84) Mulberry - 3(<1) Mango - 35(6) Marigold - 551(92) Guava - 34(6) Chrysanthemum - 551(92) Brinjal 169(28) 382(63) Bhendi 284(47) 267(45) Onion 232(39) 106(18)  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 indicated that there were 112 (64.37%) men and 62 (35.63%) women among the sampled households.  The average family size of landless farmers’ was 4, marginal farmers’ was 4.8, small farmers’ was 5.6, semi medium farmers’ was 6 and medium farmers’ was 2.  The data indicated that, 33 (18.97 %) people were in 0-15 years of age, 74 (42.53%) were in 16-35 years of age, 54 (31.03 %) were in 36-60 years of age and 13 (7.47%) were above 61 years of age.  The results indicated that Honageri-2 had 63.79 per cent illiterates, 8.62 per cent of them had Primary School, 1.72 per cent of them had Middle School education, 12.07 per cent of them had High School education, 8.62 per cent of them had PUC education and 1.15 per cent had degree and masters education.  The results indicate that, 91.18 per cent of household heads were practicing agriculture, 8.82 per cent of the household heads were agricultural laborer and 2.94 per cent were Trade & Business.  The results indicate that agriculture was the major occupation for 68.39 per cent of the household members, 2.87 per cent were agricultural laborers and children, 2.30 per cent were general laborers, 0.57 per cent were in government and private service, 1.15 per cent were trade and business, 16.09 per cent were students and 2.87 per cent were Housewives.  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 8.82 per cent of the households possess thatched house, 64.71 per cent of the households possess Katcha house and 26.47 per cent of them possess pucca/RCC house.  The results show that 91.18 per cent of the households possess TV, 41.18 per cent of the households possess mixer/grinder and motor cycle and 88.24 per cent of the households possess mobile phones.  The results show that the average value of television was Rs. 6,387, mixer/grinder was Rs. 1,957, motor cycle was Rs. 50,714 and mobile phone was Rs. 3,165.  About 23.53 per cent each of the households possess bullock cart, 20.59 per cent of the households plough, 2.94 per cent of the households possess seed/ fertilizer drill and Tractor, 11.76 per cent of the households possess Sprayer, 8.82 per cent of them possess weeder and harvester and 14.71 per cent of them possess chaff cutter.  The results indicate that, bullock cart it was Rs.22,125, plough it was Rs.909, seed/fertilizer drill it was Rs.500, tractor it was Rs. 300,000, Sprayer was Rs. 3,500, Weeder was Rs. 200, Harvester was Rs. 40 and Chaff Cutter was Rs. 314. 2  The results indicate that, 32.35 per cent of the households possess bullocks, 26.47 per cent of the households possess local cow, 5.88 per cent of the households possess goat and 2.94 per cent of the households possess Poultry birds.  The results indicate that, average own labour men available in the micro watershed was 2, average own labour (women) available was 1.38, average hired labour (men) available was 7.59 and average hired labour (women) available was 8.03.  The results indicate that, 91.18 per cent of the households opined that the hired labour was adequate.  The results indicate that, households of the Honageri-2 micro-watershed possess 28.39 ha (86.34%) of dry land and 4.49 ha (13.66%) of irrigated land. Marginal farmers possess 7.36 ha (99.34%) of dry land and 0.05 ha (0.66%) of irrigated land. Small farmers possess 17.39 ha (94.31%) of dry land and 1.05 ha (5.69 %) of irrigated land. Semi medium farmers possess 3.64 ha (73.23%) of dry land and 1.33 ha (26.77%) of irrigated land. Medium farmers possess 2.06 ha (100%) of irrigated land.  The results indicate that, the average value of dry land was Rs. 703,501.07 and the average value of irrigated land was Rs. 912,342.34. In case of marginal famers, the average land value was Rs. 1,165,068.72 for dry land and the average value was Rs.18,525,000.41 for irrigated land. In case of small famers, the average land value was Rs. 597,951.58 for dry land and the average value of irrigated land was Rs. 858,301.16. In case of semi medium famers, the average land value was Rs. 274,444.44 for dry land and the average land value was Rs. 274,444.44 of irrigated land.  The results indicate that, there were 7 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 20.59 per cent of the farmers.  The results indicate that, the depth of bore well was found to be 10.76 meters.  The results indicate that small, semi-medium and medium farmers had an irrigated area of 0.47 ha, 3.43 ha and 0.45 ha respectively.  The results indicate that, farmers have grown cotton (23.14 ha), paddy (2.71 ha), red gram (1.79 ha), sorghum (1.76 ha) and groundnut (1.21ha). The results indicate that, the cropping intensity in Honageri-2 micro-watershed was found to be 100 per cent.  The results indicate that, 76.47 per cent of the households have bank account.  The results indicate that, 76.47 per cent of the households have availed credit from different sources.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for red gram was Rs. 27030.53. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 70387.69. The net 3 income from red gram cultivation was Rs. 43357.16. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:2.6.  The total cost of cultivation for cotton was Rs. 36266.34. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 90304.31. The net income from cotton cultivation was Rs. 54037.97. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:2.49.  The total cost of cultivation for Paddy was Rs. 163090.35. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 304132.32. The net income from Paddy cultivation was Rs. 141041.98. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.86.  The total cost of cultivation for sorghum was Rs. 41086.82. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 63686.27. The net income from sorghum cultivation was Rs. 22599.46. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.55.  The total cost of cultivation for groundnut was Rs. 29555.39. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 16466.67. The net income from groundnut cultivation was Rs. -13088.72. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.56.  The results indicate that, 29.41 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was adequate and 20.59 per cent of the households opined that green fodder was adequate.  The results indicate that the annual gross income was Rs. 20,000 for landless farmers, for marginal farmers it was Rs. 115,744.62, for small farmers it was Rs. 126,758.67, for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 111,000 and for medium farmers it was Rs. 122,000.  The results indicate that the average annual expenditure is Rs. 6,328.99. For landless households it was Rs. 8,333.33, for marginal farmers it was Rs. 6,620.51, for small farmers it was Rs. 2,741.27, for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 25,500 and for medium farmers it was Rs. 12,000.  The results indicate that, sampled households have grown 5 coconut in their field and 1 coconut in backyard.  The results indicate that, households have planted 27 teak, 31 neem, 7 tamarind and 1 peepul trees in their field and 1 teak and 3 tamarind in their backyard.  The results indicated that, households have an average investment capacity of Rs. 4,588.24 for land development.  The results indicated that Loan from bank was the source of additional investment for 41.18 per cent for land development and soft loan was the source of additional investment for 5.88 per cent for land development.  The results indicated that, cotton was sold to the extent of 100 per cent, groundnut was sold to the extent of 60 per cent, paddy was sold to the extent of 82.14 per cent, Red gram was sold to the extent of 76.92 per cent and sorghum was sold to the extent of 59.18 per cent.  The results indicated that, about 91.18 per cent of the farmers sold their produce to local/village merchants and 2.94 per cent of them sold in regulated markets. 4  The results indicated that, 94.12 per cent of the households have used tractor as a mode of transportation for their agricultural produce.  The results indicated that, 94.12 per cent of the households have experienced soil and water erosion problems in the farm.  The results indicated that, 94.12 per cent have shown interest in soil test.  The results indicated that, 91.18 per cent of the households used firewood as a source of fuel and 11.76 per cent of the households used LPG.  The results indicated that, piped supply was the major source of drinking water for 97.06 per cent of the households in the micro watershed and Bore Well was the major source of drinking water for 2.94 per cent of the households 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, 26.47 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, 61.76 per cent of the households participated in NREGA programme.  The results indicated that, cereals were adequate for 100 per cent of the households, pulses and oilseed were adequate for 97.06 per cent, vegetables were adequate for 94.12 per cent, fruits was adequate for 2.94 per cent, Milk were adequate for 82.35 per cent and eggs were adequate for 23.53 per cent.  The results indicated that, pulses and oilseed were inadequate for 2.94 per cent of the households, vegetables were inadequate for 5.88 per cent, fruits was inadequate for 94.12 per cent, milk were inadequate for 17.65 per cent, Meat were inadequate for 100 per cent and eggs were inadequate for 76.47 per cent.  The results indicated that, lower fertility status of the soil was the constraint experienced by 91.18 per cent, Wild animal menace on farm field and frequent incidence of pest and diseases (88.24%), Inadequacy of irrigation water (11.76%), high cost of fertilizer and plant protection chemicals, high rate of interest on credit and Lack of marketing facilities in the area (85.29%), Low price for the agricultural commodities (100%), Inadequate extension services (5.88%), Lack of transport for safe transport of the Agril produce to the market (82.35%), less rainfall and source of agri-technology information (2.94%).