LAND RESOURCE INVENTORY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF FARM HOUSEHOLDS FOR WATERSHED PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT LINGADAHALLI-1 (4D3A9D2b) MICROWATERSHED Koppal Taluk & District, Karnataka

Abstract

The land resource inventory of Lingadahalli-1 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 522 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 62 per cent is covered by soil,12 per cent by rockout crops, 21 per cent by Mining/ Industrial area, 4 per cent by water bodies, settlements and <1 per cent by Railway. The salient findings from the land resource inventory are summarized briefly below.  The soils belong to 15 soil series and 22 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 3 per cent of the soils are shallow (25-50cm), 2 per cent of the soils are moderately shallow (50-75 cm), 11 per cent moderately deep (75- 100 cm) and 46 per cent is deep to very deep (100->150cm) soils.  About <1 per cent of the soils are sandy (loamy sand), 20 per cent loamy (sandy loam and sandy clay loam) and 43 per cent has clayey (clay) soils at the surface.  About 29 per cent of the area has non-gravelly (<15%) and 33 per cent gravelly (15-35%) soils.  With respect to available water capacity 6 per cent of the area has very low (<50mm/m), 21 per cent of the area has low (51-100 mm/m), 4 per cent medium (101-150 mm/m) and 32 per cent area is high to very high (151->200mm/m) in available water capacity.  An area of about 23 per cent has nearly level (0-1%), 38 per cent has very gently sloping (1-3%) and 1 per cent has gently sloping (3-5%) lands.  An area of about 49 per cent is slightly eroded (e1) and 13 per cent is moderately eroded (e2).  An area of about 16 per cent is slightly alkaline (pH 7.3 to 7.8), 30 per cent moderately alkaline (pH 7.8 to 8.4), 16 per cent is strongly alkaline (pH 8.4-9.0) and <1 per cent is very strongly alkaline (pH>9.0).  The Electrical Conductivity (EC) of the soils are <2 dsm-1 indicating that soils are non saline.  Organic carbon is medium (0.5-0.75%) 29 per cent and 33 per cent is high (>0.75%).  Available phosphorus is medium (<23 kg/ha) in 49 per cent and high (>57 kg/ha) in 14 per cent area of the soils.  Available potassium is medium (145-337 kg/ha) in 62 per cent and high (>337 kg/ha) in <1 per cent area of the soils.  Available sulphur is low (<10 ppm) in 43 per cent, medium (10-20 ppm) in 12 per cent and high(>20 ppm)in 7 per cent area of the soils.  Available boron is low (<0.5 ppm) in 35 per cent and medium (0.5-1.0 ppm) in 27per cent area of the microwatershed.  Available iron is deficient (<4.5ppm) in 37 per cent and sufficient (>4.5 ppm) in 25 per cent of the area.  Available zinc is deficient (<0.6 ppm) in 18 per cent and sufficient (>0.6 ppm) in 45 per cent area of the microwatershed.  Available manganese and copper are sufficient in the entire area.  The land suitability for 31 major agricultural and horticultural crops grown in the microwatershed was assessed and the areas that are highly suitable (class S1) and moderately suitable (class 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 102(20) 140(27) Sapota 159(30) 55(11) Maize 13(3) 229(44) Pomegranate 159(30) 83(16) Bajra 171(33) 83(16) Guava 138(27) 76(14) Redgram 107(21) 136(26) Jackfruit 159(30) 55(11) Bengal gram 38(7) 216(41) Jamun 140(27) 102(20) Groundnut 156(30) 112(21) Musambi 162(31) 80(15) Sunflower 111(21) 132(25) Lime 162(31) 80(15) Cotton 100(19) 142(27) Cashew 138(27) 80(15) Chilli 144(28) 70(13) Custard apple 217(42) 95(18) Tomato 144(28) 70(13) Amla 214(41) 98(19) Brinjal 177(22) 196(38) Tamarind 140(27) 47(9) Onion 73(14) 239(46) Marigold 98(19) 144(28) Bhendi 73(14) 242(46) Chrysanthemum 98(19) 144 (28) Drumstick 159(30) 137(26) Jasmine 98(19) 116(22) Mulberry 159(30) 141(27) Crossandra 98(19) 119(23) Mango 140(27) 19(4) - - -  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.  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 and drainage line treatment plans have 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. FINDINGS OF THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC SURVEY  The survey was conducted in Lingadahalli-1 is located at North latitude 150 21’ 19.059” and 150 19’ 36.146” and East longitude 760 17’ 34.1'' and 760 15’ 51.247” covering an area of about 522.55 ha coming under Rudrapura, Lingadhahalli, Bevinahalli & Kanakapura Villages of Koppal taluk.  Socio-economic analysis indicated that, out of the total sample of 42 respondents, 10 (23.81%) were marginal, 9(21.43%) were small and 13 (30.95%) were semi medium, 6 (14.29%) were medium.  The population characteristics of households indicated that, there were 126 (57.01%) men and 95 (42.99%) were women.  Majority of the respondents (47.51%) were in the age group of 35-60 years. Education level of the sample households indicated that, majority there were 37.10 per cent illiterates and only 3.62 per cent attained graduation.  About, 52.38 per cent of household heads practicing agriculture and 45.24 per cent of the household heads were engaged as agricultural labourers.  Agriculture was the major occupation for 29.86 per cent of the household members.  In the study area, 73.81 per cent of the households possess katcha house and 11.90 per cent possess pucca house.  The durable assets owned by the households showed that, 97.62 per cent possess TV, 85.71 per cent possess mixer grinder and 90.48 per cent possess mobile phones.  Farm implements owned by the households indicated that, 52.38 per cent of the households possess plough and only 26.19 per cent sprayer.  Regarding livestock possession by the households, 26.19 per cent possess local cow and 7.14 per cent possess buffalo respectively.  The average labour availability in the study area showed that, own men and women labour availability in the micro watershed was 15.79 each, while the hired labour (men) availability was 1.79.  Further, 2.38 per cent of the households opined that hired labour was inadequate during the agricultural season.  Out of the total land holding of the sample respondents (48.47 ha), 25.37 per cent of the area is under dry condition and the remaining 74.63 per cent area is irrigated land.  There were 26 bore wells functioning among the sampled households. Bore well was the major source of irrigation for 61.90 per cent of the households.  The major crops grown by sample farmers are Maize, Bajra, Paddy, Groundnut, sunflower, sugarcane and Cotton and cropping intensity was recorded as 81.30 per cent.  The sample households possessed 47.62 per cent bank account. About 47.62 per cent of the respondents borrowed credit from various sources. 2  The per hectare cost of cultivation for Maize, Bajra, Paddy, Groundnut and Cotton was Rs.36977.13, 36057.14, 116723.68, 23534.65 and 34381.09 with benefit cost ratio of 1:1.80, 1: 1.40, 1: 1.10, 1: 3.20 and 1:2.20 respectively.  Further, 23.81 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was adequate and 7.14 per cent of the households have opined that the green fodder was adequate.  The average annual gross income of the farmers was Rs. 87967.86 in microwatershed, of which Rs. 57396.43 comes from agriculture.  Sampled households have grown horticulture trees are 104 coconut and 3 mango trees in the fields and 38 neem, 2 banyan and 1 peepul trees have grown forest species in their field  Households have an average investment capacity of Rs 69.05 for land development. Rs 1000 for irrigation facility creation.  Source of funds for additional investment is concerned, 69.05 per cent depends on bank loan for land development activities.  Regarding marketing channels, 104.76 per cent of the households have sold agricultural produce to the local/village merchants, while, 4.76 per cent have sold by Agents/Traders.  Further, 104.76 per cent of the households have used tractor for the transport of agriculture commodity.  Majority of the farmers (73.81 %) have experienced soil and water erosion problems in the watershed and 71.43 per cent of the households were interested towards soil testing.  Firewood connection was the major source of fuel for domestic use for 83.33 per cent of the households and 14.29 per cent households has LPG.  Piped supply was the major source for drinking water for 66.67 per cent of the households.  Electricity was the major source of light for 95.24 per cent of the households. In the study area, 61.90 per cent of the households possess toilet facility.  Regarding possession of PDS card, 90.48 per cent of the households possessed BPL card and 4.76 per cent do not possess PDS card and Cereals (92.86%), pulses (90.48%), oilseeds (85.71%) were adequate for consumption.  Farming constraints experienced by households in the micro watersheds were lower fertility status of the soil (71.43%) wild animal menace on farm field (73.81%), frequent incidence of pest and diseases (78.57%), inadequacy of irrigation water (9.52%), high cost of fertilizers and plant protection chemicals (73.81%), high rate of interest on credit (69.05%), low price for the agricultural commodities (73.81%), lack of marketing facilities in the area (71.43%), inadequate extension services (4.76%), lack of transport for safe transport of the agricultural produce to the market (66.67%) and Less rainfall (16.67%).