LAND RESOURCE INVENTORY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF FARM HOUSEHOLDS FOR WATERSHED PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT HOSAHALLI-2 (4D4A1Y1c) MICRO WATERSHED Koppal Taluk and District, Karnataka

Abstract

The land resource inventory of Hosahalli-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 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 564 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 92 per cent is covered by soils and 8 per cent by rock outcrops, habitation and water bodies, settlements and others. The salient findings from the land resource inventory are summarized briefly below.  The soils belong to 10 soil series and 25 soil phases (management units) and 7 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 29 per cent of the soils are shallow (50-75 cm), 14 per cent of the soils are moderately shallow (50-75 cm), 8 per cent of the soils are moderately deep (75-100 cm), 28 per cent area has deep (100-150 cm) and 13 per cent has very deep (>150 cm) soils.  About 6 per cent has loamy soils at the surface and 86 per cent has clayey soils at the surface.  About 68 per cent of the area has non-gravelly (<15%) soils and 24 per cent gravelly (15-35% gravel) soils.  About <1 per cent are very low (<50 mm/m), 42 per cent low (51-100 mm/m), 22 per cent medium (101-150 mm/m), 9 per cent high (151-200 mm/m) and 18 per cent very high (>200 mm/m) in available water capacity.  An area of about 11 per cent has nearly level (0-1%) and 81 per cent area has very gently sloping (1-3%) lands.  An area of about 37 per cent has soils that are slightly eroded (e1) and 55 per cent moderately eroded (e2) lands.  An area of about 46 per cent are strongly alkaline (pH 8.4-9.0) and 45 per cent are very strongly alkaline (pH >9.0) in soil reaction.  The Electrical Conductivity (EC) of the soils is <2 dS m-1 and as such the soils are non-saline.  Organic carbon is low (<0.5%) in 35 per cent and medium (0.5-0.75%) in 57 per cent area of the soils.  Available phosphorus is medium (23-57 kg/ha) in 83 per cent area and medium (23- 57 kg/ha) in 9 per cent in the microwatershed.  About 4 per cent of the soils are low (<145 kg/ha), 56 per cent of the soils are medium (145-337 kg/ha) and 33 per cent soils are high (>337 kg/ha) in available potassium content.  Available sulphur is low (<10 ppm) in about 25 per cent, medium (10-20 ppm) in 66 per cent and high (>320 ppm) in the area of about 1 per cent soils.  Available boron is low (0.5 ppm) in about 47 per cent, medium (0.5-1.0 ppm) in 40 per cent and high (>1.0 ppm) in 5 per cent area.  Available iron is deficient (<4.5 ppm) in entire area of the microwatershed.  Available zinc is deficient (<0.6 ppm) in 83 per cent and sufficient (>0.6 ppm) in about 9 per cent area.  Available manganese and copper are sufficient in all the soils.  The land suitability for 31 major agricultural and horticultural 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 1 (<1) 330 (59) Sapota 55 (10) - Maize - 352 (62) Pomegranate 55 (10) 199 (35) Bajra 55 (10) 296 (53) Musambi 55 (10) 200 (35) Groundnut - 82 (15) Lime 55 (10) 200 (35) Sunflower 26 (5) 229 (41) Amla 55 (10) 276 (49) Red gram 26 (5) 193 (34) Cashew - 55 (10) Bengalgram 1 (<1) 329 (59) Jackfruit 55 (10) - Cotton 27 (5) 305 (54) Jamun - 207 (37) Chilli 26 (5) 35 (6) Custard apple 56 (10) 275 (49) Tomato 26 (5) 35 (6) Tamarind - 207 (37) Brinjal 29 (5) 322 (57) Mulberry 55 (10) 206 (36) Onion - 82 (15) Marigold - 331 (59) Bhendi - 351 (62) Chrysanthemum - 331 (59) Drumstick 55 (10) 200 (35) Jasmine - 131 (23) Mango - 155 (28) Crossandra - 96 (17) Guava - 55 (10)  Apart from the individual crop suitability, a proposed crop plan has been prepared for the 7 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 that helps in maintaining productivity and ecological balance in the microwatershed.  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. 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 99 (54.40%) men and 83 (45.60%) women among the sampled households.  The average family size of landless farmers’ was 3.4, marginal farmers’ was 5.17, small farmers’ was 5, semi medium farmers’ was 6 and medium farmers’ was 8.  The data indicated that, 39 (21.43%) people were in 0-15 years of age, 79 (43.41%) were in 16-35 years of age, 45 (24.73%) were in 36-60 years of age and 19 (10.44 %) were above 61 years of age.  The results indicated that Hosahalli-2 had 28.57 per cent illiterates, 36.81 per cent of them had primary school education, 5.49 per cent of them had middle school education, 15.93 per cent of them had high school education, 6.59 per cent of them had PUC education, 0.55 per cent of them did ITI and another 0.55 per cent had diploma education; 3.30 per cent of them had degree education.  The results indicate that, 94.44 per cent of households practicing agriculture and 5.56 per cent of the households were agricultural laborers.  The results indicate that agriculture was the major occupation for 20.33 per cent of the household members, 51.65 per cent were agricultural laborers, 1.10 per cent was in private service, 26.37 per cent were students and 0.55 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 22.22 per cent of the households possess thatched house, 63.89 per cent of the households possess Katcha house and 11.11 per cent of them possess pucca house.  The results show that 97.22 per cent of the households possess TV, 80.56 per cent of the households possess Mixer grinder, 55.56 per cent of the households possess bicycle, 38.89 per cent of the households possess motor cycle, and 88.89 per cent of the households possess mobile phones.  The results show that the average value of television was Rs.3485, mixer grinder was Rs.1189, bicycle was Rs. 1000, motor cycle was Rs.33000 and mobile phone was Rs.1281.  About 13.89 per cent of the households possess bullock cart, 16.67 per cent of them possess plough, 11.11 per cent of them posses sprayer, 97.22 per cent of them possess weeder and 11.11 per cent of them possess chaff cutter.  The results show that the average value of bullock cart was Rs.23200, plough was Rs.857, the average value of sprayer was Rs.4500, the average value of chaff cutter was Rs.3250, and the average value of weeder was Rs.58.  The results indicate that, 16.67 per cent of the households possess bullocks, 5.56 per cent of the households possess local cow and 5.56 per cent of them possess sheep. 2  The results indicate that, average own labour men available in the micro watershed was 1.81, average own labour (women) available was 1.68, average hired labour (men) available was 8.26 and average hired labour (women) available was 8.94.  The results indicate that, 83.33 per cent of the households opined that hired labour was inadequate and 2.78 per cent opined that hired labour was adequate.  The results indicate that, households of the Hosahalli-2 micro watershed possess 30.79 ha (86%) of dry land and 5.01 ha (14%) of irrigated land. Marginal farmers possess 13.25 ha (97.04%) of dry land and 0.40 ha (2.96%) of irrigated land. Small farmers possess 9.05 ha (83.61%) of dry land and 1.77 ha (16.39%) of irrigated land. Semi medium farmers possess 8.50 ha (95.45%) of dry land and 0.40 ha (4.55%) of irrigated land. Medium farmers possess 2.43 ha (100%) of irrigated land.  The results indicate that, the average value of dry land was Rs. 259,726.60 and average value of irrigated land was Rs. 578,594.51. In case of marginal famers, the average land value was Rs. 354,689.89 for dry land and Rs. 1,235,000 for irrigated land. In case of small famers, the average land value was Rs. 209,977.63 for dry land and Rs. 676,712.35 for irrigated land. In case of semi medium famers, the average land value was Rs. 164,666.67 for dry land and Rs. 1,482,000 for irrigated land. In case of medium famers, the average land value was Rs. 247,000 for irrigated land.  The results indicate that, there were 10 functioning and 10 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 27.78 per cent of the farmers.  The results indicate that, the depth of bore well was found to be 9.40 meters.  The results indicate that, marginal, small, semi medium and medium farmers had irrigated area of 0.4 ha, 2.11 ha, 0.81 ha and 4.86 ha respectively.  The results indicate that, farmers have grown maize (11.4 ha), redgram (9.8 ha), sorghum (5.28 ha), bengalgram (2.43 ha), sunflower (1.65 ha), cotton (1.21 ha), paddy (0.94 ha), tomato (0.81 ha), groundnut (0.81 ha) and bajra (0.55 ha).  Marginal farmers have grown maize, redgram, sorghum, bengalgram, sunflower, tomato and bajra. Small farmers have grown maize, redgram, sorghum, paddy and groundnut. Semi medium farmers have grown maize, redgram, sorghum, bengalgram and tomato. Medium farmers have grown Bengalgram and paddy.  In case of marginal farmers it was 99.88 per cent, in case of small farmers it was 100 per cent, in case of semi medium farmers it was 50 per cent, and medium farmers also had cropping intensity of 50 per cent.  The results indicate that, 80.56 per cent of the households have bank account and savings.  The results indicate that, 80.56 per cent of the households have availed credit from different sources. 3  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for maize was Rs. 27038.42. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 31038.57. The net income from Maize cultivation was Rs. 4000.15, thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.15.  The total cost of cultivation for bajra was Rs. 50861.36. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 35697.81. The net income from bajra cultivation was Rs. - 15163.55. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.7.  The total cost of cultivation for bengalgram was Rs. 59311. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 48576.67. The net income from bengalgram cultivation was Rs. -10734.33. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.82.  The total cost of cultivation for groundnut was Rs. 41578.62. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 38532. The net income from groundnut cultivation was Rs. -3046.62. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.93.  The total cost of cultivation for cotton was Rs. 31068.81. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 74100. The net income from cotton cultivation was Rs. 43031.19. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:2.39.  The total cost of cultivation for tomato was Rs. 75202.83. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 67925. The net income from tomato cultivation was Rs. - 7277.83. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.9.  The total cost of cultivation for redgram was Rs. 24466.49. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 45608.39. The net income from redgram cultivation was Rs. 21141.90. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.86.  The total cost of cultivation for paddy was Rs. 35513.33. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 132481.82. The net income from paddy cultivation was Rs. 96968.50. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:3.73.  The total cost of cultivation for sunflower was Rs. 21363.81. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 54026.50. The net income from sunflower cultivation was Rs. 32662.69. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:2.53.  The results indicate that, 5.56 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was adequate and 2.78 per cent of the households opined that green fodder was adequate. Around 8.33 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was inadequate.  The results indicate that the average annual gross income was Rs. 120,000 for landless farmers, for marginal farmers it was Rs. 76,841.11, for small farmers it was Rs. 191,162.50, for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 119,100, and for medium farmers it was Rs. 115,000.  The results indicate that the average annual expenditure is Rs. 9,591.78. For landless households it was Rs. 7,428.57, for marginal farmers it was Rs. 3,945.99, for small farmers it was Rs. 11,058.33, for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 23,416.67, and for medium farmers it was Rs. 55,000.  The results indicate that, sampled households have grown 2 mango trees in their field. 4  The results indicate that, households have planted 1 teak trees, 62 neem trees, 2 tamarind and 7 banyan trees in their field.  The results indicate that, the average additional investment capacity with the households for land development was Rs. 7,777.78, for irrigation facility Rs. 1,777.78, and for improved crop production Rs. 1,055.56.  The results indicate that, government subsidy was the source of additional investment capacity for 77.78 per cent of the households for land development, 27.78 per cent for irrigation facility and 16.67 per cent for improved crop production.  The results indicated that, Bengalgram, cotton, paddy, sorghum, sunflower and tomato were sold to the extent of 100 per cent. Bajra was sold to the extent of 86.67 per cent, groundnut to the extent of 80 per cent, maize to the extent of 96.72 per cent and redgram was marketed to the extent of 95.45 per cent.  The results indicated that, about 94.44 per cent of the famers have sold their produce in regulated markets and only 2.78 per cent have sold their produce to local/village merchants.  The results indicated that, 94.44 per cent of the households have used tractor as a mode of transportation for their agricultural produce and 2.78 per cent have used cart as a mode of transportation.  The results indicated that, 77.78 per cent of the households have experienced soil and water erosion problems in the farm.  The results indicated that, 77.78 per cent have shown interest in soil test.  The results indicated that, piped supply was the major source of drinking water for 75 per cent of the households and bore well was the source of drinking water for 25 per cent of the households.  The results indicated that, 97.22 per cent used fire wood and 2.78 per cent of the households used LPG.  Electricity was the major source of light for 100 per cent of the households in micro watershed.  The results indicated that, 100 per cent of the households in the micro watershed possess sanitary toilet.  The results indicated that, 97.22 per cent of the sampled households possessed BPL card and 2.78 per cent did not possess PDS card.  The results indicated that, 47.22 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 66.67 per cent, oilseeds were adequate for 47.22 per cent, vegetables were adequate for 61.11 per cent, fruits were adequate for 80.56 per cent, milk was adequate for 55.56 per cent and eggs were adequate for 69.44 per cent of the households. 5  The results indicated that, pulses were inadequate for 33.33 per cent, oilseeds were inadequate for 50 per cent, vegetables were inadequate for 38.89 per cent, fruits were inadequate for 2.78 per cent, milk was inadequate for 19.44 per cent and eggs were inadequate for 13.89 per cent of the households.  The results indicated that, lower fertility status of the soil was the constraint experienced by 88.89 per cent of the households, wild animal menace on farm field (75%), frequent incidence of pest and diseases (36.11%), inadequacy of irrigation water (5.56%), high cost of fertilizers and plant protection chemicals (52.78%), high rate of interest on credit (11.11%), low price for the agricultural commodities (11.11%), lack of marketing facilities in the area (8.33%), lack of transport for safe transport of the agricultural produce to the market (30.56%), less rainfall (61.11%), inadequate extension services (19.44%) and source of agri-technology information(Newspaper/TV/Mobile) (8.33%).