LAND RESOURCE INVENTORY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF FARM HOUSEHOLDS FOR WATERSHED PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT HONAVALU-3 (4D41A1W1b) MICRO WATERSHED Alavandi Hobli, Koppal Taluk and District, Karnataka

Abstract

The land resource inventory of Honavalu-3 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 304 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 95 per cent is covered by soils and 5 per cent by 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 15 soil phases (management units) and 5 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 12 per cent of the soils are shallow (50-75 cm), <1 per cent of the soils are moderately shallow (50-75 cm), 21 per cent of the soils are moderately deep (75-100 cm) and 61 per cent area has deep (100-150 cm) to very deep (>150 cm) soils.  Entire area of about 95 per cent has clayey soils at the surface.  About 34 per cent of the area has non-gravelly (<15%) soils and 61 per cent gravelly (15-35 % gravel) soils.  About 12 per cent are very low (<50 mm/m), 8 per cent low (51-100 mm/m), 21 per cent medium (101-150 mm/m) and 53 per cent very high (>200 mm/m) in available water capacity.  Entire area of about 95 per cent area has very gently sloping (1-3%) lands.  An area of about 82 per cent has soils that are slightly eroded (e1) and 13 per cent moderately eroded (e2) lands.  An area of about <1 per cent are moderately alkaline (pH pH 7.8-8.4), 74 per cent are strongly alkaline (pH 8.4-9.0) and 20 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 about 38 per cent and 57 per cent of the soils are medium (0.5-0.75%) in organic carbon.  Available phosphorus is medium (23-57 kg/ha) in entire area of about 95 per cent in the microwatershed.  About 21 per cent of the soils are medium (145-337 kg/ha) and 74 per cent soils are high (>337 kg/ha) in available potassium content.  Available sulphur is high (>320 ppm) in the entire area of about 95 per cent soils.  Available boron is low (0.5 ppm) in about 34 per cent area, 54 per cent are medium (0.5-1.0 ppm) and 7 per cent area is high (>1.0 ppm).  Available iron is sufficient (>4.5 ppm) in 92 per cent and deficient (<4.5 ppm) in about 3 per cent area.  Available zinc is deficient (<0.6 ppm) in the entire area of about 95 per cent soils.  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 82 (27) 144 (47) Sapota - 1 (<1) Maize - 226 (74) Pomegranate - 226 (74) Bajra 1 (<1) 225 (74) Musambi 54 (18) 171 (56) Groundnut 1 (<1) 24 (8) Lime 54 (18) 171 (56) Sunflower 30 (10) 195 (64) Amla 1 (<1) 249 (82) Red gram - 214 (70) Cashew - - Bengalgram 141 (46) 85 (28) Jackfruit - 1 (<1) Cotton 141 (46) 85 (28) Jamun - 162 (53) Chilli - 1 (<1) Custard apple 166 (55) 84 (28) Tomato - 1 (<1) Tamarind - 161 (53) Brinjal - 250 (82) Mulberry 1 (<1) 203 (67) Onion - 25 (8) Marigold - 227 (74) Bhendi - 250 (82) Chrysanthemum - 227 (74) Drumstick - 250 (82) Jasmine - 1 (<1) Mango - 1 (<1) Crossandra - 126 (42) Guava - 1 (<1)  Apart from the individual crop suitability, a proposed crop plan has been prepared for the 5 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 79 (53.74%) men and 68 (46.26%) women among the sampled households. The average family size of landless farmers’ was 3, marginal farmers’ was 4.88, small farmers’ was 3.89, semi medium farmers’ was 4.25 and medium farmers’ was 4.29.  The data indicated that, 27(18.37%) people were in 0-15 years of age, 56 (38.10%) were in 16-35 years of age, 47 (31.97%) were in 36-60 years of age and 17 (11.56%) were above 61 years of age.  The results indicated that Honavalu-3 had 22.45 per cent illiterates, 41.50 per cent of them had primary school education, 9.52 per cent of them had middle school education, 12.24 per cent of them had high school education, 8.84 per cent of them had PUC education, 1.36 per cent had diploma and ITI and 2.72 per cent of them had degree education.  The results indicate that, 97.14 per cent of household heads were practicing agriculture and 2.86 per cent of the household heads were agricultural labourers.  The results indicate that agriculture was the major occupation for 31.29 per cent of the household members, 45.58 per cent were agricultural labourers, 0.68 per cent were in private service, 21.77 per cent were in students and 0.68 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 68.57 per cent of the households possess thatched house, 14.29 per cent of the households possess pucca/RCC house and 17.14 per cent of them possess semi pacca house.  The results show that 74.29 per cent of the households possess TV, 8.57 per cent of them possess DVD/VCD player and refrigerator, 42.86 per cent of them possess mixer/grinder, 22.876 per cent of them possess bicycle, 37.14 per cent of the households possess motor cycle and 2.86 per cent of the households possess auto, car/four wheeler, landline phone and computer/ laptop and 80 per cent of them possess mobile phones.  The results show that the average value of television was Rs. 5,903, DVD/VCD Player was 1,733, mixer grinder was Rs. 2,093, refrigerator was 15,666, bicycle was 1,450, motor cycle was Rs. 26,464, auto was 90,000, car/four wheeler was 200,000, landline was 2,000, mobile phone was Rs. 3,068 and computer/ laptop was 41,000.  About 20 per cent of the households possess bullock cart, 22.86 per cent of them possess plough, 5.71 per cent of them possess tractor, 8.57 per cent of them possess sprayer, 37.14 per cent of them possess weeder, 22.86 per cent of them possess chaff cutter and 2.86 per cent of them possess earth remover/duster. 2  The results show that the average value of bullock cart was Rs. 18,571, plough was Rs. 3,340, tractor was Rs. 250,000, sprayer was Rs. 3,400, weeder was Rs.37, chaff cutter was Rs.660 and the average value of earth remover/duster was Rs. 14,000.  The results indicate that, 14.29 per cent of the households possess bullocks, 17.14 per cent of the households possess local cow and 11.43 per cent possess buffalo.  The results indicate that, average own labour men available in the micro watershed was 1.74, average own labour (women) available was 1.37, average hired labour (men) available was 7.71 and average hired labour (women) available was 7.74. The results indicate that, 25.71 per cent of the households opined that the hired labour was adequate and 74.29 per cent of the households opined that the hired labour was inadequate.  The results indicate that, households of the Honavalu-3 micro-watershed possess 38.03 ha (63.69%) of dry land, 18.26 ha (30.58%) of irrigated land and 3.42 ha (5.73%) of permanent fallow. Marginal farmers possess 6.43 ha (100%) of dry land. Small farmers possess 9.15 ha (77.18%) of dry land and 2.71 ha (22.82%) of irrigated land. Semi medium farmers possess 15.03 ha (78.05%) of dry land, 2.43 ha (12.61%) of irrigated land and 1.80 (9.33%) of permanent fallow land. Medium farmers possess 7.42 ha (33.47%) of dry land, 13.12 ha (59.19%) of irrigated land and 1.63 ha (7.34%) of permanent fallow land.  The results indicate that, the average value of dry land was Rs. 257,592.85; the average value of irrigated land was Rs. 273,714.54 and Rs. 87,588 of permanent fallow land. In case of marginal famers, the average land value was Rs. 497,733.00 for dry land. In case of small famers, the average land value was Rs. 262,068.97 for dry land and Rs. 406,128.55 for irrigated land. In case of semi medium famers, the average land value was Rs. 212,873.69 for dry land, Rs. 370,500 for irrigated land and Rs. 111,261.26 for permanent fallow land. In case of medium farmers, the average land value was Rs. 134,678.30 for dry land and Rs. 228,492.14 for irrigated land and Rs. 61,442.79 for permanent fallow land.  The results indicate that, there were 11 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 31.43 per cent of the farmers.  The results indicate that, the depth of bore well was found to be 60.02 meters.  The results indicate that small, semi medium and medium farmers had an irrigated area of 2.71 ha, 2.43 ha and 9.32 ha respectively.  The results indicate that, farmers have grown maize (13.14 ha), sunflower (9.72 ha), sorghum (10.16ha), green gram (4.53 ha), bajra (5.70 ha), Bengal gram (3.03 ha), wheat (0.81ha), chilly and onion (0.4 ha). Marginal farmers have grown maize, sunflower, sorghum, green gram and Bengal gram. Small farmers have grown maize, sunflower, sorghum, bajra, Bengal gram, chilly and onion. Semi medium farmers 3 have grown maize, sunflower, green gram, sorghum, bajra, Bengal gram, chilly and onion. Medium farmers have grown maize, sorghum, green gram, bajra, sunflower and bajra. The results indicate that, the cropping intensity in Honavalu-3 microwatershed was found to be 62.45 per cent.  The results indicate that, 65.71 per cent of the households have bank account and savings.  The results indicate that, 65.71 per cent of the households have availed credit from different sources.  The results indicate that, 13.04 per cent of the households have borrowed from commercial bank, 4.35 per cent of them borrowed from money lender, 13.04 per cent of the households borrowed from SHGs and CBOs and 21.74 per cent of the households borrowed from grameena bank.  The results indicate that, the average credit amount borrowed by households in micro-watershed was Rs, 39,586.96.  The results indicate that, 100 per cent of the households borrowed from institutional sources for the purpose of agricultural production.  The results indicate that, 75 per cent of the households availed credit for the purpose of agricultural production and 25 per cent of the households availed credit for the for the purpose of purchase-agricultural implements/ farm machinery.  The results indicated that 100 per cent of the households did not repay their loan borrowed from institutional sources.  The results indicated that 100 per cent of the households did not repay their loan borrowed from private sources.  The results indicate that, around 100 per cent opined that the loan amount borrowed from institutional sources helped to perform timely agricultural operations.  The results indicate that, 100 per cent of the households opined that the credit borrowed from private credit helped to perform timely agricultural operations.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for maize was Rs. 33163.20. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 43788.22. The net income from maize cultivation was Rs. 10625.02. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.32.  The total cost of cultivation for chilly was Rs. 61244.74. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 74100. The net income from chilly cultivation was Rs. 12855.26. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.21.  The total cost of cultivation for sorghum was Rs. 26959.43. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 36423.45. The net income from sorghum cultivation was Rs. 9464.02. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.35.  The total cost of cultivation for Bengal gram was Rs. 39204.46. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 37233.49. The net income from Bengal gram cultivation was Rs. -1970.97. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.95. 4  The total cost of cultivation for sunflower was Rs. 29526.44. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 36356.09. The net income from sunflower cultivation was Rs. 6829.65. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.23.  The total cost of cultivation for bajra was Rs. 25689.51. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 22472.77. The net income from bajra cultivation was Rs. - 3216.74. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.87.  The total cost of cultivation for Wheat was Rs. 39400.71. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 49400. The net income from Wheat cultivation was Rs. 9999.29. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.25.  The total cost of cultivation for Onion was Rs. 75143.42. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 98800. The net income from Onion cultivation was Rs. 23656.58. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.31.  The total cost of cultivation for green gram was Rs. 23508.84. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 33720.05. The net income from green gram cultivation was Rs. 10211.20. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.43.  The results indicate that, 31.43 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was adequate and green fodder was adequate for 8.57 per cent of the households.  The results indicate that the annual gross income was Rs. 23,333.33 for landless farmers, for marginal farmers it was Rs. 60,950, for small farmers it was Rs. 111,511.11, for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 122,962.50 and for medium farmers it was Rs. 128,171.43.  The results indicate that the average annual expenditure is Rs. 10,880.68. For landless households it was Rs. 8,333.33, for marginal farmers it was Rs. 4,026.04, for small farmers it was Rs. 10,459.26, for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 9,244.79 and for medium farmers it was Rs. 22,217.69.  The results indicate that, sampled households have grown 103 coconut trees in their field and 1 coconut tree in their backyard.  The results indicate that, households have planted 9 teak, 40 neem, 5 tamarind and 3 banyan trees in their field and 2 teak and 2 neem trees in their field.  The results indicated that, bajra was sold to the extent of 91.67 per cent, Bengal gram was sold to the extent of 74.07 per cent, chilly was sold to the extent of 33.33 per cent, green gram was sold to the extent of 67.74 per cent, maize was sold to the extent of 97.44 per cent, onion was sold to the extent of 96 per cent, sorghum were sold to the extent of 67.57 per cent, sunflower was sold to the extent of 97.65 per cent and wheat was sold to the extent of 50 per cent.  The results indicated that, about 45.71 per cent of the farmers sold their produce to agent/traders. 22.86 per cent of the farmers sold their produce to local/village merchants, 45.71 per cent of them sold their produce through regulated market and 5.71 per cent of them sold their produce through cooperative marketing society. 5  The results indicated that, 2.86 per cent of the households used head load, 28.57 per cent of the households used cart and 88.57 per cent of them used tractor as a mode of transportation for their agricultural produce.  The results indicated that, 8.57 per cent of the households have experienced soil and water erosion problems in the farm.  The results indicated that, 65.71 per cent have shown interest in soil test.  The results indicated that, 88.57 per cent of the households used firewood and 11.43 per cent of the households used LPG as a source of fuel.  The results indicated that, 88.57 per cent of the households used firewood and 11.43 per cent of the households used LPG as a source of fuel.  Electricity was the major source of light for 100 per cent of the households in micro watershed.  The results indicated that, 2.86 per cent of the sampled household’s possessed APL card, 88.57 per cent of the sampled households possessed BPL card and 8.57 per cent of the households did not possess PDS card.  The results indicated that, 55.88 per cent of the households participated in NREGA programme.  The results indicated that, cereals were adequate for 94.29 per cent of the households, pulses were adequate for 77.14 per cent, oilseeds were adequate for 11.43 per cent, vegetables were adequate for 37.14 per cent, fruit were adequate for 48.57 per cent, milk was adequate for 40.00 per cent, eggs were adequate for 8.57 per cent and meat was adequate for 5.71 per cent.  The results indicated that, cereals were inadequate for 5.71 per cent of the households, pulses were inadequate for 22.86 per cent, oilseeds were inadequate for 88.57 per cent, vegetables were inadequate for 62.86 per cent, fruits were inadequate for 48.57 per cent, milk was inadequate for 51.43 per cent, egg and meat were inadequate for 71.43 per cent of the households.  The results indicated that, lower fertility status of the soil and frequent incidence of pest and diseases was the constraint experienced by 65.71 per cent of the households, wild animal menace on farm field (68.57%), inadequacy of irrigation water (31.43%), high cost of fertilizers and plant protection chemicals (40%), high rate of interest on credit (31.43%), low price for the agricultural commodities (17.14%), lack of marketing facilities in the area and source of Agri-technology information (14.29%), lack of transport for safe transport of the agricultural produce to the market (34.29%), inadequate extension services (5.71%) and less rainfall (60%).