LAND RESOURCE INVENTORY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF FARM HOUSEHOLDS FOR WATERSHED PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT YARGOL-2 (4D5B2H2d) MICROWATERSHED Yadgir Taluk and District, Karnataka

Abstract

The land resource inventory of Yargol-2Microwatershed 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 357 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 350 ha in the microwatershed is covered by soils, 3 ha by railway line and 3 ha by others (habitation and water bodies). The salient findings from the land resource inventory are summarized briefly below.  The soils belong to 9 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.  About 350 ha area in the microwatershed is suitable for agriculture.  About 64 per cent area of the microwatershed has soils that are deep to very deep (100 - >150 cm) and 34 per cent soils are very shallow to moderately deep (<25- 100 cm).  About 28 per cent area in the microwatershed has loamy soils and 70 per cent clayey soils.  Non gravelly (<15%) soils occur in the entire area of the microwatershed.  About 64 per cent area of the microwatershed is very high (>200 mm/m) in available water capacity, 17 per cent area medium (101-150 mm/m), 4 per cent area low (51-100 mm/m) and 12 per cent area very low (<50 mm/m) in available water capacity.  An area of 91 per cent has very gently sloping (1-3% slope) lands, 7 per cent has nearly level (0-1%) lands in the microwatershed.  An area of about 7 per cent is slightly eroded (e1) and 91 per cent area is moderately (e2) eroded.  An area of 21 per cent is slightly alkaline (pH 7.3-7.8), 44 per cent is moderately alkaline (pH 7.8-8.4), 26 per cent is strongly alkaline (pH 8.4-9.0), and 8 per cent area is neutral (pH 6.5-7.3) in soil 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.  About 82 per cent area of the microwatershed is high (>0.75%) in organic carbon content and medium (0.5-0.75%) in 16 per cent area of the microwatershed.  About 97 per cent area is medium (23-57 kg/ha) and 2 per cent is low (<23 kg/ha) in available phosphorus.  An area 70 per cent is high (>337 kg/ha) and 28 per cent is medium (145-337 kg/ha) in available potassium in the microwatershed.  Available sulphur is medium (10-20 ppm) in 62 per cent and high (> 20 ppm) in 36 per cent of the microwatershed.  Available boron is low (<0.5 ppm) in 70 per cent and medium (0.5-1.0 ppm) in 29 per cent area of the microwatershed.  Available iron is sufficient (>4.5 ppm) in the entire 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 67 per cent and sufficient (> 0.6 ppm) in 31 per cent of area in 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 60(17) 245(69) Guava - 60(17) Maize 60(17) 245(69) Sapota - 60(17) Bajra 60(17) 245(69) Pomegranate - 171(48) Groundnut - 76(21) Musambi - 171(48) Sunflower - 171(48) Lime - 171(48) Redgram - 289(81) Amla 60(17) 16(4) Bengal gram - 111(31) Cashew - - Cotton - 171(48) Jackfruit - 60(17) Chilli 60(17) 127(36) Jamun - - Tomato 60(17) 16(4) Custard apple - 187(53) Brinjal 60(17) 16(4) Tamarind - - Onion 60(17) 16(4) Mulberry - 60(17) Bhendi 60(17) 127(36) Marigold 60(17) 127(36) Drumstick - 60(17) Chrysanthemum 60(17) 127(36) 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 93 (53.14%) men and 82 (46.86%) women among the sampled households.  The average family size of landless farmers’ was 5.2, marginal farmers’ was 5.5, small farmers’ was 4.9 and semi medium farmers’ was 7.  The data indicated that, 25 (14.29%) people were in 0-15 years of age, 76 (43.43%) were in 16-35 years of age, 61 (34.86%) were in 36-60 years of age and 13 (7.43%) were above 61 years of age.  The results indicated that Yargol-2 had 61.71 per cent illiterates, 12 per cent of them had primary school, 10.29 per cent of them had high school education, 3.43 per cent of them had PUC, diploma and ITI and 2.86 per cent of them had degree education.  The results indicate that, 63.64 per cent of household heads were practicing agriculture, 21.21 per cent of the household heads were agricultural laborers and 33 cent of the household heads were General Labour and housewives.  The results indicate that agriculture was the major occupation for 53.14 per cent of the household members, 12 per cent were agricultural laborers, 0.57 per cent were in household industry and retired, 1.51 per cent in government service, 4.57 per cent were private service, 1.14 per cent were trade and business, 14.29 per cent were student, 8.57 per cent were housewives and 3.43 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 12.12 per cent of the households possess thatched 60.61 per cent of the households possess katcha house and 27.27 per cent of the households possess pucca/RCC house.  The results show that 72.73 per cent of the households possess TV, 66 per cent of the households possess mixer/grinder, 12.12 per cent of the households possess motor cycle and 100 per cent of the households possess mobile phones.  The results show that the average value of television was Rs. 6,291, mixer/grinder was Rs. 1,750, motor cycle was Rs. 53,750 and mobile phone was Rs. 4,300.  About 99 per cent each of the households possess bullock cart, 33.33 per cent each of the households possess Plough, 18.18 per cent each of the households possess seed/fertilizer drill, 33 per cent each of the households possess tractor and sprinkler, 21.21 per cent of the households possess sprayer and 30.30 per cent each of the households possess weeder.  The results show that the average value of bullock cart was Rs. 29,333, plough was Rs. 3,600, seed/ fertilizer drill was Rs. 4,233, tractor was Rs.650, 000, sprayer was Rs. 2,457, sprinkler weeder was Rs. 350 and the average value of chaff cutter was Rs. 146. 2  The results indicate that, 36.36 per cent of the households possess bullocks, 15.15 per cent of the households possess local cow and 33 per cent of the households possess sheep and goat.  The results indicate that, average own labour men available in the micro watershed was 1.97, average own labour (women) available was 1.7, average hired labour (men) available was 11.27 and average hired labour (women) available was 10.2.  The results indicate that, 90.91 per cent of the households opined that the hired labour was adequate.  The results indicate that, households of the Yargol-2 micro-watershed possess 25.29 ha (79.3%) of dry land and 5.33 ha (16.67%) of irrigated land. Marginal farmers possess 7.84 ha (100 %) of dry land. Small farmers possess 17.45 ha (86.38%) of dry land and 2.75 ha (13.62%) of irrigated land. Semi medium farmers possess 2.58 ha (100%) of irrigated land.  The results indicate that, the average value of dry land was Rs. 573,223.44 and the average value of irrigated land was Rs. 693,399.10. In case of marginal famers, the average land value was Rs. 930,872.49 for dry land. In case of small famers, the average land value was Rs. 412,526.10 for dry land the average land value was Rs. 762,794.15 for irrigated land. In case of semi medium famers, the average land value was Rs. 619,435.73 for irrigated land.  The results indicate that, there were 4 functioning and 7 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 12.12 per cent of the farmers.  The results indicate that, the depth of bore well was found to be 8.31 meters.  The results indicate that, marginal, small and semi medium farmers had an irrigated area of 0.95 ha and 1.37 ha respectively.  The results indicate that, farmers have grown red gram (12.69 ha), groundnut (7.65 ha), cotton (5.63%), green gram (3.59 ha), paddy (1.37 ha) and jowar (0.36 ha). Marginal farmers have grown cotton, red gram, groundnut, green gram and sorghum. Small farmers have grown cotton, red gram, groundnut, green gram, sorghum and paddy. Semi medium farmers have grown cotton, red gram, groundnut and paddy. Medium farmers have grown groundnut and green gram.  The results indicate that, the cropping intensity in Yargol-2 micro-watershed was found to be 75.63 per cent.  The results indicate that, 84.85 per cent of the households have bank account and 60.61 per cent of the households.  The results indicate that, 78.79 per cent of the households have availed credit from different sources. 3  The results indicate that, 50 per cent of the households have borrowed from commercial bank and 100 per cent of the households have borrowed from cooperative bank, grameena bank and money lender.  The results indicate that, the average credit amount borrowed by households in micro-watershed was Rs, 879,000.  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 institutional sources for the purpose of agricultural production.  The results indicated that 100 per cent of the households not repay their loan borrowed from institutional sources.  The results indicated that 100 per cent of the households not repay their loan borrowed from institutional sources.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for Cotton was Rs. 31843.69. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 512118. The net income from Cotton cultivation was Rs. 19367.39. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.61.  The total cost of cultivation for groundnut was Rs. 45343.82. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 73504.92. The net income from groundnut cultivation was Rs. 281619. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.62.  The total cost of cultivation for Red gram was Rs. 31311.83. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 50037.11. The net income from Red gram cultivation was Rs. 18725.28. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.6.  The total cost of cultivation for Sorghum was Rs. 23820.27. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 14820. The net income from Sorghum cultivation was Rs. -9000.27. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.62.  The total cost of cultivation for Paddy was Rs. 34652.68. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 35076.92. The net income from Paddy cultivation was Rs. 424.24. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:11.  The total cost of cultivation for Green gram was Rs. 57412.73. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 44503.54. The net income from Green gram cultivation was Rs. -12909.19. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.78.  The total cost of cultivation for coconut was Rs. 25005.38. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 44107.14. The net income from coconut cultivation was Rs. 19101.77. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.76.  The results indicate that, 48.48 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was adequate and 33 per cent of the households opined that green fodder was adequate.  The results indicate that the annual gross income was Rs. 157,500, for landless farmers, for marginal farmers it was Rs. 158,183.33, for small farmers it was Rs. 157,006.67 and semi medium farmers it was Rs. 92,210. 4  The results indicate that the average annual expenditure is Rs. 16,003.63. For landless households it was Rs. 48,300, for marginal farmers it was Rs. 17,214.16, for small farmers it was Rs. 5,773.33 and for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 20,875.  The results indicate that, sampled households have grown 3 custard apple and mango, 5 coconut tree in their field and 2 custard apple trees in their backyard.  The results indicate that, households have planted 1 teak, 83 neem, 4 tamarind and 1 peepul, 2 acacia and banyan trees in their field and also 2 neem trees in their backyard.  The results indicated that, households have an average investment capacity of Rs. 4,1066 for land development, households have an average investment capacity of Rs. 3,181.82 and households have an average investment capacity of Rs. 1,515.15 for improved crop production.  The results indicated that own funds was the source of additional investment for 36.36 per cent for land development and 99 per cent for irrigation facility and improved crop production.  The results indicated that, coconut was sold to the extent of 90 per cent, cotton was sold to the extent of 100 per cent, green gram was sold to the extent of 71.43 per cent, groundnut was sold to the extent of 81.98 per cent, jowar was sold to the extent of 25 per cent, paddy and red gram was sold to the extent of 83.33 per cent.  The results indicated that, about 93.43 per cent of the farmers sold their produce to local/village merchant and 33 per cent of the farmers sold their produce to regulated markets.  The results indicated that, 96.97 per cent of the households have used tractor as a mode of transportation.  The results indicated that, 42.42 per cent of the households have experienced soil and water erosion problems in the farm.  The results indicated that, 90.91 per cent have shown interest in soil test.  The results indicated that, 27.27 per cent of the population adopted field bunding, 33 per cent of the population adopted contour bund and farm pond and 66 per cent of the population adopted loose border checks.  The results indicated that, condition of contour bund and farm pond was 100 per cent were slightly damaged. Field bunding was 66.67 per cent was good and 33.33 per cent were slightly damage and loose border checks was 50 per cent was good and slightly damage.  The results indicated that, 21.21 per cent of the population involved own agency, 99 per cent of the population involved government agency and 66 per cent of the population involved farmer’s organization in the micro watershed.  The results indicated that, 51.52 per cent of the households used fire wood, 66 per cent of the households used LPG and 51.52 per cent of the households used firewood as a source of fuel. 5  The results indicated that, piped supply was the major source of drinking water for 72.73 per cent of the households in the micro watershed and bore well was the source of drinking water for 21.21 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, 66.67 per cent of the households possess sanitary toilet facility.  The results indicated that, 100 per cent of the sampled households possessed BPL cards.  The results indicated that, 81.82 per cent of the households participated in NREGA programme.  The results indicated that, cereals were adequate for 69.7 per cent of the households, pulse were adequate for 96.97 per cent, oilseed were adequate for 24.24 per cent, vegetables and meat were adequate for 33 per cent, milk were adequate for 27.27 per cent and egg were adequate for 21.21 per cent.  The results indicated that, cereals were inadequate for 30.3 per cent of the households, pulses were inadequate for 33 per cent, oilseed were inadequate for 72.73 per cent, vegetables and meat were inadequate for 93.94 per cent, fruits were inadequate for 100 per cent, milk were inadequate for 69.7 per cent and egg were inadequate for 75.76 per cent of the households.  The results indicated that, cereals, pulses, oilseed, vegetables, fruits, egg, meat were market surplus for 33 per cent were market surplus of the households.  The results indicated that, lower fertility status of the soil, frequent incidence of pest and diseases, low price for the agricultural commodities and lack of marketing facilities in the area was the constraint experienced by 87.88 per cent of the households, wild animal menace on farm field (84.85%), Inadequacy of irrigation water and inadequate extension service (42.42%), high cost of fertilizer and plant protection chemicals and high rate of interest on credit (90.91%), and Lack of transport for safe transport of the Agril produce to the market (69.7%).