LAND RESOURCE INVENTORY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF FARM HOUSEHOLDS FOR WATERSHED PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT KUNIKERI -1 (4D3A1Z1d) MICRO WATERSHED Koppal Taluk and District, Karnataka

Abstract

The land resource inventory of Kunikeri-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 515 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 93 per cent is covered by soils and 7 per cent by habitation and water bodies, settlements and others. The salient findings from the land resource inventory are summarized briefly below.  The soils belong to 12 soil series and 19 soil phases (management units) and 4 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 17 per cent of the soils are shallow (25-50 cm), 2 per cent of the soils are moderately shallow (50-75 cm), 18 per cent of the soils are moderately deep (75-100 cm) and 55 per cent area has deep (100-150 cm) soils.  About 76 per cent area has loamy at surface and 17 per cent has clayey soils at the surface.  About 26 per cent of the area has non-gravelly (<15%) soils, 66 per cent gravelly (15-35% gravel) and 1 per cent has very gravelly (35-60%) soils.  About 35 per cent are very low (<50 mm/m), 37 per cent low (51-100 mm/m) and 21 per cent medium (101-150 mm/m) in available water capacity.  An area of about 1 per cent has nearly level (0-1%) and 91 per cent area has very gently sloping (1-3%) lands.  An area of about 20 per cent has soils that are slightly eroded (e1) and 73 per cent moderately eroded (e2) lands.  An area of about 19 per cent are slightly acid (pH 6.0-6.5), 45 per cent are neutral (pH 6.5-.7.3), 16 per cent are slightly alkaline (pH 7.3-7.8), 13 per cent are moderately alkaline (pH 7.8-8.4) and <1 per cent are strongly alkaline (pH 8.4-9.0) 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 26 per cent, medium (0.5-0.75%) in 49 per cent and high (>0.75%) in 18 per cent of the soils.  Available phosphorus is medium (23-57 kg/ha) in about 59 per cent and high (>57 kg/ha) in 34 per cent in the microwatershed.  About 29 per cent of the soils are low (<145 kg/ha), 61 per cent are medium (145-337 kg/ha) and 3 per cent soils are high (>337 kg/ha) in available potassium content.  Available sulphur is low (<10 ppm) in the entire area of the microwatershed.  Available boron is low (0.5 ppm) in about 76 per cent area and 17 per cent are medium (0.5-1.0 ppm).  Available iron is sufficient (>4.5 ppm) in 62 per cent and deficient (<4.5 ppm) in about 31 per cent area.  Available zinc is deficient (<0.6 ppm) in 66 per cent and sufficient (>0.6 ppm) in about 27 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 103 (20) 71 (14) Sapota 131 (25) 99 (19) Maize 102 (20) 72 (14) Pomegranate 131 (25) 99 (19) Bajra 148 (29) 93 (18) Musambi 131 (25) 99 (19) Groundnut 29 (6) 335 (65) Lime 131 (25) 99 (19) Sunflower 102 (20) 60 (12) Amla 162 (31) 230 (45) Red gram 102 (20) 60 (12) Cashew 45 (9) 182 (35) Bengalgram - 174 (34) Jackfruit 131 (25) 98 (19) Cotton 58 (11) 116 (22) Jamun 58 (11) 172 (33) Chilli 103 (20) 71 (14) Custard apple 162 (31) 230 (45) Tomato 103 (20) 71 (14) Tamarind 58 (11) 160 (31) Brinjal 74 (14) 246 (48) Mulberry 161 (31) 218 (42) Onion 45 (9) 275 (53) Marigold 102 (20) 72 (14) Bhendi 45 (9) 275 (53) Chrysanthemum 102 (20) 72 (14) Drumstick 145 (28) 140 (27) Jasmine 102 (20) 72 (14) Mango 58 (11) 103 (20) Crossandra 102 (20) 72 (14) Guava 44 (9) 186 (36)  Apart from the individual crop suitability, a proposed crop plan has been prepared for the 4 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. FINDINGS OF THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC SURVEY  The survey was conducted in Kunikeri-1 is located at North latitude 150 18’ 3.842” and 150 15’ 42.427” and East longitude 760 13’ 44.407'' and 760 12’ 27.153” covering an area of about 514.95 ha coming under Kunakeri and Lachanakeri Villages of Koppal taluk.  Socio-economic analysis indicated that, out of the total sample of 32 respondents, 10 (31.25%) were marginal, 7(21.88%) were small and 6 (18.75%) were semi medium and 4 (12.50%) were medium farmers.  The population characteristics of households indicated that, there were 86 (58.90%) men and 60 (41.10%) were women.  Majority of the respondents (42.47%) were in the age group of 16-35 years.  Education level of the sample households indicated that, majority there were 44.52 per cent illiterates and only 6.16 per cent attained graduation.  About, 68.75 per cent of household heads practicing agriculture and 28.13 per cent of the household heads were engaged as agricultural labourers.  Agriculture was the major occupation for 48.63 per cent of the household members.  In the study area, 81.25 per cent of the households possess katcha house and 3.13 per cent possess pucca house.  The durable assets owned by the households showed that, 71.88 per cent possess TV, 53.13 per cent possess mixer grinder and 90.63 per cent possess mobile phones.  Farm implements owned by the households indicated that, 21.88 per cent of the households possess plough and only 15.63 per cent sprayer.  Regarding livestock possession by the households, 12.50 per cent possess local cow and 3.13 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 9.27 each, while the hired labour (men) availability was 1.77.  Out of the total land holding of the sample respondents (39.77 ha), 63.21 per cent of the area is under dry condition and the remaining 32.97 per cent area is irrigated land.  There were 4.00 bore wells among the sampled households. Bore well was the major source of irrigation for 12.50 per cent of the households.  The major crops grown by sample farmers are Maize, Bajra, Red gram, Bengal gram, cotton, sugarcane and Groundnut and cropping intensity was recorded as 68.89 per cent. 2  The per hectare cost of cultivation for Maize, Bajra, Red gram, Bengal gram and Groundnut was Rs.33504.09, 31123.35, 26149.12, 15712.88 and 42321.08 with benefit cost ratio of 1:1.30, 1: 1.00, 1: 1.90, 1: 1.80 and 1:2.20 respectively.  Further, 6.25 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was adequate and 28.13 per cent of the households have opined that the green fodder was adequate.  The average annual gross income of the farmers was Rs. 78946.88 in microwatershed, of which Rs. 53700.00 comes from agriculture.  Sampled households have grown horticulture crop 1 coconut trees in the fields and 30 neem and 3 tamarind forest species in their field.  Households have an average investment capacity of Rs 6.25. for land development.  Source of funds for additional investment is concerned, 3.13 per cent depends on own funds and 6.25 per cent depends on bank loan for land development activities.  Regarding marketing channels, 93.75 per cent of the households have sold agricultural produce to the local/village merchants, while, 6.25 per cent have sold by Agents/Traders.  Further, 71.88 per cent of the households have used tractor for the transport of agriculture commodity.  Majority of the farmers (9.38 %) have experienced soil and water erosion problems in the watershed and 65.63 per cent of the households were interested towards soil testing.  Firewood connection was the major source of fuel for domestic use for 93.75 per cent of the households and 6.25 per cent households has LPG.  Piped supply was the major source for drinking water for 84.38 per cent of the households.  Electricity was the major source of light for 100.00 per cent of the households.  In the study area, 87.50 per cent of the households possess toilet facility.  Regarding possession of PDS card, 87.50 per cent of the households possessed BPL card and 9.38 per cent do not possess PDS card. Cereals (90.63%), pulses (81.25%), oilseeds (25.00%) were adequate for consumption.  Farming constraints experienced by households in the micro watersheds were lower fertility status of the soil (65.63%) wild animal menace on farm field (62.50%), frequent incidence of pest and diseases (50.00%), inadequacy of irrigation water (25.00%), high cost of fertilizers and plant protection chemicals (59.38%), high rate of interest on credit (43.75%), low price for the agricultural commodities (50.00%), lack of marketing facilities in the area (46.88%), inadequate extension services (18.75%), lack of transport for safe transport of the agricultural produce to the market (37.50%), Less rainfall (31.25%) and Source of Agri-technology information(Newspaper/TV/Mobile) (3.13%).