LAND RESOURCE INVENTORY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF FARM HOUSEHOLDS FOR WATERSHED PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT NARAYANAPUR (4D2D6D2a) MICROWATERSHED Gurumitkal Hobli, Yadgir Taluk and District, Karnataka

Abstract

The land resource inventory of Narayanapur 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 709 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 610 ha in the microwatershed is covered by soils, about 8 ha covered by forest 2 ha covered by rock outcrops and 89 ha by others (Habitation and water body). The salient findings from the land resource inventory are summarized briefly below.  The soils belong to 7 soil series and 21 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 610 ha (86%) in the microwatershed is suitable for agriculture.  About 40 per cent area of the microwatershed has soils that are deep to very deep (100->150 cm) 16 per cent soils are moderately deep (75-100), whereas 17 per cent soils are moderately shallow (50 -75 cm) and 12 per cent soils are shallow (25 -50 cm) in the microwatershed.  About 35 percent soils are loamy and 51 per cent area is clayey soils at the surface.  An area of about 27 percent soils are non gravelly (<15%), about 48 percent soils are gravelly (15-35%) and 12 percent soils are very gravelly (35-60%) in the microwatershed.  About 40 per cent area of the microwatershed is very high (>200 mm/m) in available water capacity, 11 percent soils are medium (51-100), 35 per cent soils are low (51- 100 mm/m) and very low (<50 mm/m) available water capacity.  About 81 per cent area of the microwatershed has very gently sloping (1-3% slope) land and 5 per cent is nearly level (0-1% slope) lands.  An area of about 4 per cent area is severely (e3) eroded. About 77 per cent area is moderately (e2) eroded and 5 percent soils are slightly eroded (e1).  An area of about 2 per cent soils are slightly acid (pH 6.0-6.5), about 77 per cent soil are neutral (pH 6.5-7.3) and 7 per cent soil are slightly alkaline (pH 7.3- 7.8).soils.  The Electrical Conductivity (EC) of the soils in the entire cultivated area of the microwatershed is dominantly <2 dsm-1 indicating that the soils are non-saline.  Entire cultivated area of the microwatershed is high (>0.75%) in organic carbon content.  An area of 36 percent is low (<23 kg/ha) in available phosphorus, about 14 percent is medium (23-57 kg/ha) and 36 percent soils are high (>57 kg/ha) in available phosphorus.  An area of about 52 percent is medium (145-337kg/ha) and 34 percent is high (>337kg/ha) in available potassium.  An area of about 67 percent is medium (10-20ppm) and 19 percent area is low (<10ppm) in available sulphur  Available boron is low (<0.5 ppm) in a maximum area of about 59 per cent and medium (0.5-1.0 ppm) in about 26 per cent soils.  Available iron content is sufficient (>4.5ppm) in the entire cultivated area of the microwatershed.  Available manganese and copper are sufficient in all soils of the microwatershed.  Available zinc is deficient (<0.6 ppm) in an area of about 51 per cent and sufficient (>0.6 ppm) in 35 percent 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 275(39) 244(34) Guava - 269(38) Maize - 520(73) Sapota - 113(16) Bajra - 519(73) Pomegranate - 395(56) Groundnut - 113(16) Musambi 127(18) 269(38) Sunflower 119(17) 276(39) Lime 127(18) 269(38) Redgram - 396(56) Amla - 519(73) Bengal gram 282(40) 161(23) Cashew - - Cotton 282(40) 161(23) Jackfruit - 113(16) Chilli - 356(50) Jamun - 282(40) Tomato - 356(50) Custard apple 186(26) 334(47) Drumstick - 396(56) Tamarind - 282(40) Brinjal - 519(73) Mulberry - 113(16) Onion 21(3) 215(30) Marigold - 520(73) Bhendi 21(3) 497(69) Chrysanthemum - 520(73) Mango - - Bhendi 21(3) 497(69)  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 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 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 98 (59.04%) men and 68 (40.96%) women among the sampled households.  The average family size of landless farmers’ was 4, marginal farmers’ was 4.88, small farmers’ was 4.36, semi medium farmers’ was 4, medium farmers’ was 4.67 and large farmers’ was 6.  The data indicated that, 25 (15.06%) people were in 0-15 years of age, 80 (48.19%) were in 16-35 years of age, 52 (31.33%) were in 36-60 years of age and 9 (5.42%) were above 61 years of age.  The results indicated that Narayanpura had 42.77 per cent illiterates, 17.47 per cent of them had primary school education, 1.20 per cent of them had middle school education, 7.83 per cent of them had high school education, 13.86 per cent of them had PUC education, 9.04 per cent of them had degree education, 0.60 per cent of them did ITI, 0.60 per cent of the population had diploma and 1.81 per cent of them did masters.  The results indicate that, 86.11 per cent of households were practicing agriculture, 5.56 per cent of the households were agricultural labourers, 2.78 per cent of the households were general labours, 2.86 per cent of them were in private service and 2.78 per cent of the population was involved in trade and business.  The results indicate that agriculture was the major occupation for 67.47 per cent of the household members, 1.81 per cent were agricultural laborers, 2.41 per cent were general labourers, 0.60 per cent were in government service, 6.63 per cent were in private service, 0.60 per cent were into trade and business, 15.06 per cent were students, 0.60 per cent were housewives and 4.22 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 19.44 per cent of the households possess katcha house and 80.56 per cent of them possess pucca house.  The results show that 75 per cent of the households possess TV, 44.44 per cent of the households possess Mixer grinder, 11.11 per cent of the households possess refrigerator, 5.56 per cent of them had bicycle, 50 per cent of the households possess motor cycle, 5.56 per cent of them had car/four wheeler and 91.67 per cent of the households possess mobile phones.  The results show that the average value of television was Rs.5370, mixer grinder was Rs.1637, refrigerator was Rs.9250, bicycle was Rs.1500, motor cycle was Rs.19300, car/four wheeler was Rs.200000 and mobile phone was Rs.2073.  About 5.56 per cent of the households possess bullock cart, 44.44 per cent of them possess plough, 2.78 per cent of them had seed/fertilizer drill, 8.33 per cent of them had irrigation pump, 5.56 per cent of the households possess tractor, 11.11 2 per cent of them possess sprayer, 52.78 per cent of them possess weeder and 8.33 per cent of them possess harvester.  The results show that the average value of bullock cart was Rs.25000, plough was Rs.1663, seed/fertilizer drill was Rs.6000, irrigation pump was Rs.20000, the average value of tractor was Rs.200000, the average value of sprayer was Rs.4500 and the average value of harvester was Rs.103333.  The results indicate that, 33.33 per cent of the households possess bullocks, 30.56 per cent of the households possess local cow, 2.78 per cent had crossbred cow, 11.11 per cent had buffalo, 13.89 per cent had sheep, 2.78 per cent had goat and 13.89 per cent had poultry birds.  The results indicate that, average own labour men available in the micro watershed was 1.94, average own labour (women) available was 1.69, average hired labour (men) available was 10.19 and average hired labour (women) available was 10.27.  The results indicate that, 88.89 per cent of the households opined that the hired labour was adequate.  The results indicate that, households of the Narayanpura micro-watershed possess 50.62 ha (97.66%) of dry land and 1.21 ha (2.34%) of irrigated land. Marginal farmers possess 7.52 ha (100%) of dry land. Small farmers possess 15.03 ha (100%) of dry land. Semi medium farmers possess 2.17 ha (64.07%) of dry land and 1.21 ha (35.93%) of irrigated land. Medium farmers possess 15.78 ha (100%) of dry land and large farmers possess 10.12 ha (100%) of dry land.  The results indicate that, the average value of dry land was Rs. 1289400 and average value of irrigated land was Rs. 1482000. In case of marginal famers, the average land value was Rs. 1335315 for dry land. In case of small famers, the average land value was Rs. 847712 for dry land. In case of semi medium famers, the average land value was Rs. 1615888 for dry land and Rs. 1482000 for irrigated land. In case of medium farmers, the average land value was Rs. 1203333 for dry land and it was Rs.1976000 in case of large farmers.  The results indicate that, there were 2 functioning bore wells in the micro watershed.  The results indicate that, bore well was the major irrigation source in the micro water shed for 5.56 per cent of the farmers.  The results indicate that, the depth of bore well was found to be 3.56 meters.  The results indicate that, semi medium and large farmers had an irrigated area of 1.12 ha and 10.12 ha.  The results indicate that, farmers have grown cotton (1.42 ha), red gram (35.74 ha), sorghum (0.58 ha), paddy (1.21 ha), black gram (0.92 ha) and greengram (12.09 ha). Marginal farmers have grown redgram, greengram, blackgram and sorghum. Small farmers have grown redgram, Greengram and cotton. Semi 3 medium farmers have grown redgram and paddy. Medium farmers have grown redgram and greengram. Large farmers have grown redgram.  The results indicate that, the cropping intensity in Narayanpura micro-watershed was found to be 87.70 per cent.  The results indicate that, 50 per cent of the households have bank account and savings.  The results indicate that, 50 per cent of the households have availed credit from different sources.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for cotton was Rs. 44545.04. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 142907.14. The net income from Cotton cultivation was Rs. 98362.11, thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:3.21.  The total cost of cultivation for red gram was Rs. 69659.14. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 70728.20. The net income from red gram cultivation was Rs. 1069.06. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.02.  The total cost of cultivation for green gram was Rs. 27759.54. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 36556.26. The net income from green gram cultivation was Rs. 8796.72. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.32.  The total cost of cultivation for paddy was Rs. 35377.88. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 87273.33. The net income from paddy cultivation was Rs. 51895.46. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:2.47.  The total cost of cultivation for blackgram was Rs. 31639.50. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 52108.33. The net income from blackgram cultivation was Rs. 20468.83. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.65.  The total cost of cultivation for sorghum was Rs. 77663.85. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 81916.09. The net income from sorghum cultivation was Rs. 4252.23. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.05.  The results indicate that, 36.11 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was adequate, 13.89 per cent of the households opined that green fodder was adequate and 2.78 per cent of the households opined that green fodder was inadequate.  The results indicate that the average annual gross income was Rs. 90,000 for landless farmers, for marginal farmers it was Rs. 90,000, for small farmers it was Rs. 63,875, for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 1,56,809, for medium farmers it was Rs. 1,28,000 and for large farmers it was Rs. 3,28,667.  The results indicate that the average annual expenditure is Rs. 55,031. For landless households it was Rs. 58,000, for marginal farmers it was Rs. 15,836, for small farmers it was Rs. 42,293, for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 31,250, for medium farmers it was Rs. 1,18,667 and for large farmers it was Rs. 6,70,000. 4  The results indicate that, sampled households have grown 5 custard apple trees in their field and 6 in their backyard; 7 mango trees in their field and 1 in their backyard; and 2 pomegranate trees in their trees.  The results indicate that, households have planted 18 teak, 125 neem and 1 tamarind tree in their field.  The results indicate that, households have an average investment capacity of Rs. 6,130.56 for land development and Rs. 291.67 for improved crop production.  The results indicate that, asset selling was the source of additional investment for 2.78 per cent for land development. Loan from bank was the major source of investment for 13.89 per cent of households for land development and for 2.78 per cent for improved crop production. Own funds were the source of additional investment for 2.78 per cent for land development. Soft loan was the source of additional investment for 72.22 per cent for land development and for 5.56 per cent for improved crop production.  The results indicated that, blackgram was sold to the extent of 61.54 per cent, cotton was sold to the extent of 100 per cent, greengram was sold to the extent of 78.07 per cent, paddy was sold to the extent of 50 per cent, redgram was sold to the extent of 72.60 per cent and sorghum was sold to the extent of 50 per cent.  The results indicated that, about 94.44 per cent of the farmers sold their produce to local/village merchants.  The results indicated that, 83.33 per cent of the households have used tractor as a mode of transportation for their agricultural produce and 11.11 per cent have used cart as a mode of transportation.  The results indicated that, 88.89 per cent of the households have experienced soil and water erosion problems in the farm.  The results indicated that, 91.67 per cent have shown interest in soil test.  The results indicated that, 80.56 per cent of the households used firewood and 44.44 per cent used LPG as a source of fuel.  The results indicated that, piped supply was the major source of drinking water for 97.22 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, 63.89 per cent of the households possess sanitary toilet.  The results indicated that, 100 per cent of the sampled households possessed BPL card and 2.86 per cent of the households did not possess any PDS card.  The results indicated that, 100 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 97.22 per cent, oilseeds were adequate for 11.11 per cent, vegetables were adequate for 61.11 per cent, fruits were adequate 5 for 5.56 per cent, milk was adequate for 72.22 per cent, eggs were adequate for 37.14 per cent and meat was adequate for 25 per cent.  The results indicated that, pulses were inadequate for 2.78 per cent of the households, oilseeds were inadequate for 86.11 per cent, vegetables were inadequate for 36.11 per cent, fruits were inadequate for 91.67 per cent, milk was inadequate for 16.67 per cent, eggs were inadequate for 61.11 per cent and meat was inadequate for 72.22 per cent of the households.  The results indicated that, oilseeds were market surplus for 2.78 per cent, vegetables were market surplus for 2.78 per cent, fruits were market surplus for 2.78 per cent, milk was market surplus for 11.11 per cent and meat was market surplus for 2.78 per cent of the households.  The results indicated that, lower fertility status of the soil was the constraint experienced by 91.67 per cent of the households, wild animal menace on farm field (91.67%), frequent incidence of pest and diseases (77.78%), inadequacy of irrigation water (36.11%), high cost of fertilizers and plant protection chemicals (69.44%), low price for the agricultural commodities (80.56%), lack of marketing facilities in the area (75%), lack of transport for safe transport of the agricultural produce to the market (44.44%) and inadequate extension services (19.44%).