LAND RESOURCE INVENTORY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF FARM HOUSEHOLDS FOR WATERSHED PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT WADANAHALLI (4D5B2L2a) MICROWATERSHED Yadgir Taluk and District, Karnataka

Abstract

The land resource inventory of Wadanahalli 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 780 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 679 ha in the microwatershed is covered by soils, 86 ha is covered by rock outcrops 8 ha is covered by railway line and 7 ha by others (habitation and water body). The salient findings from the land resource inventory are summarized briefly below.  The soils belong to 15 soil series and 23 soil phases (management units) and 7 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 679 ha area in the microwatershed is suitable for agriculture.  About 13 per cent of area is very shallow (<25 cm), 24 per cent of area is shallow (25-50 cm), 6 per cent of area of the microwatershed has soils that are moderately shallow (50-75 cm), 9 per cent of area of the microwatershed has soils that are moderately deep (75-100 cm), 31 per cent of area is deep (100 - 150 cm) and 4 per cent of area is very deep (>150 cm).  About 19 per cent area in the microwatershed has sandy soils, 58 per cent loamy soils and 10 per cent clayey soils at the surface.  About 74 per cent area in the microwatershed is non gravelly (<15%) and 13 per cent is gravelly (15-35%).  About 31 per cent area of the microwatershed is very high (>200 mm/m) in available water capacity, 19 per cent is low (51-100 mm/m) and 37 per cent area is very low (<50 mm/m).  Entire area in the microwatershed is under very gently sloping (1-3% slope) lands.  Maximum area of about 82 per cent is moderately (e2) eroded, <1 per cent area is slightly eroded (e1) and 4 per cent area is severely (e3) eroded.  An area of 6 per cent is slightly acid (pH 6.0 -6.5), about 17 per cent is neutral (pH 6.5 -7.3), about 6 per cent is slightly alkaline (pH 7.3-7.8), about 19 per cent is moderately alkaline (pH 7.8-8.4), about 29 per cent is strongly alkaline (pH 8.4- 9.0), and about 11 per cent is very strongly alkaline (pH >9.0) in the microwatershed.  The Electrical Conductivity (EC) of entire soils of the microwatershed is <2 dsm- 1indicating that the soils are non-saline.  About 66 per cent area is medium (0.5-0.75%), 4 per cent is low (<0.5%) and 17 per cent area is high (>0.75%) in organic carbon content of the soil.  About 58 per cent of area is medium (23-57 kg/ha) in available phosphorus content of the soil, 28 per cent of area is low (<23 kg/ha) and 2 per cent of area is high (>57 kg/ha) in the microwatershed.  Available potassium content is medium (145-337 kg/ha) in 85 per cent of area and high (>337 kg/ha) in 2 per cent of area in the microwatershed.  Available sulphur is low (<10 ppm) in an area of about 69 per cent, medium (10 -20 ppm) in 18 per cent of area and high (>20 ppm) in <1 per cent of area in the microwatershed.  Available boron is low (<0.5 ppm) in an area of 71 per cent and medium (0.5-0.1 ppm) in an area of 16 per cent in the microwatershed.  Available iron is sufficient (>4.5 ppm) in 66 per cent of area and deficient (<4.5 ppm) in 21 per cent of area in the microwatershed.  Available manganese and copper are sufficient in all the soils of the microwatershed.  Available zinc is deficient (<0.6 ppm) in an area of 86 per cent and sufficient (>0.6 ppm) in an area of 1 per cent of 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 - 281 (36) Guava - 73 (9) Maize 73 (9) 208 (27) Sapota - 73 (9) Bajra 73 (9) 208 (27) Pomegranate - 73 (9) Groundnut 73 (9) - Musambi - 73 (9) Sunflower - 73 (9) Lime - 73 (9) Redgram 233 (30) - Amla 73 (9) 47 (6) Bengal gram - - Cashew - - Cotton 47 (6) - Jackfruit - 73 (9) Chilli 73 (9) 48 (6) Jamun - - Tomato 73 (9) 48 (6) Custard apple 73 (9) 47 (6) Brinjal 73 (9) 48 (6) Tamarind - - Onion 73 (9) 48 (6) Mulberry - 73 (9) Bhendi - 73 (9) Marigold 73 (9) 48 (6) Drumstick - 90 (20) Chrysanthemum 73 (9) 48 (6) 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 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 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. 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 105 (59.66%) men and 71 (40.34%) women among the sampled households.  The average family size of landless farmers’ was 4.40, marginal farmers’ was 5.18, small farmers’ was 5, semi medium farmers’ was 4.67 and medium farmers’ was 6.  The data indicated that, 28 (15.91%) people were in 0-15 years of age, 83 (47.16%) were in 16-35 years of age, 60 (34.09%) were in 36-60 years of age and 5 (2.84%) were above 61 years of age.  The results indicated that Wadanahalli had 54.55 per cent illiterates, 21.59 per cent of them had primary school education, 2.84 per cent of them had middle school education, 9.66 per cent of them had high school education, 5.11 per cent of them had PUC education, 1.14 per cent had diploma and 4.55 per cent of them had degree education.  The results indicate that, 91.43 per cent of household heads were practicing agriculture and 8.57 per cent of the household heads were agricultural labourers.  The results indicate that agriculture was the major occupation for 18.75 per cent of the household members, 55.68 per cent were agricultural laborers, 23.30 per cent were students and 2.27 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 37.14 per cent of the households possess thatched house, 37.14 per cent of the households possess katcha house and 25.71 per cent of them possess pucca/RCC house.  The results show that 71.43 per cent of the households possess TV, 28.57 per cent of them possess mixer/grinder, 5.71 per cent of them possess bicycle, 22.86 per cent of the households possess motor cycle, 8.57 per cent possess auto, 2.86 per cent possess tempo and 82.86 per cent of the households possess mobile phones.  The results show that the average value of television was Rs. 6680, mixer grinder was Rs.1950, bicycle was Rs.1000, motor cycle was Rs. 68,750, auto was Rs. 31,000, tempo was Rs. 350000 and mobile phone was Rs.2110.  About 14.29 per cent of the households possess bullock cart, 22.86 per cent of them possess plough, 14.29 per cent of them possess sprayer, 20 per cent of them possess harvester and 28.57 per cent of them possess weeder.  The results show that the average value of bullock cart was Rs. 25,000, plough was Rs. 4,750, sprayer was Rs. 3,428, harvester was Rs. 1430 and the average value of weeder was Rs.1015.  The results indicate that, 25.71 per cent of the households possess bullocks, 22.86 per cent of the households possess local cow, 8.57 per cent possess buffalo and 5.71 per cent of the households possess goat. 2  The results indicate that, average own labour men available in the micro watershed was 1.86, average own labour (women) available was 1.67, average hired labour (men) available was 6.06 and average hired labour (women) available was 6.23.  The results indicate that, 100 per cent of the households opined that the hired labour was inadequate.  The results indicate that, households of the Wadanahalli micro-watershed possess 36.56 ha (84.90%) of dry land and 6.50 ha (15.10%) of irrigated land. Marginal farmers possess 7.90 ha (100%) of dry land. Small farmers possess 17.66 ha (95.62%) of dry land and 0.81 ha (4.38%). Semi medium farmers possess 6.96 ha (100%) of dry land. Medium farmers possess 4.05 ha (41.55%) of dry land and 5.69 ha (58.45%) of irrigated land.  The results indicate that, the average value of dry land was Rs. 317,157.41 and the average value of irrigated land was Rs. 215,183.57. In case of marginal famers, the average land value was Rs. 557,047.67 for dry land. In case of small famers, the average land value was Rs. 271,739.63 for dry land and Rs. 494,000 for irrigated land. In case of semi medium famers, the average land value was Rs. 172,325.58 for dry land. In case of medium farmers, the average land value was Rs. 296,400 for dry land and Rs. 175,550.82 for irrigated land.  The results indicate that, there were 2 functioning bore well in the micro watershed.  The results indicate that, bore well was the major irrigation source in the micro water shed for 5.71 per cent of the farmers and canal was the major source of irrigation for 2.86 per cent of the farmers.  The results indicate that, the depth of bore well was found to be 2.53 meters.  The results indicate that small and medium farmers had an irrigated area of 0.81 ha and 2.46 ha respectively.  The results indicate that, farmers have grown red gram (17.28 ha), green gram (3.81 ha), sorghum (3.32 ha), cotton (14.84 ha) and groundnut (2.46 ha). Marginal and small farmers have grown cotton, green gram, red gram and sorghum. Semi medium farmers have grown cotton and red gram. Medium farmers have grown cotton and groundnut.  The results indicate that, the cropping intensity in Wadanahalli micro-watershed was found to be 91.31 per cent.  The results indicate that, 45.71 per cent of the households have bank account and savings.  The results indicate that, 45.71 per cent of the households have availed credit from different sources.  The results indicate that, 68.75 per cent of the households availed loan from commercial bank and 31.25 per cent of the households obtained loan from money lenders. 3  The results indicate that, average credit availed in the micro watershed was Rs. 88,125.  The results indicate that, 100 per cent of the households have borrowed loan from institutional sources for the purpose of agricultural production.  The results indicate that, 100 per cent of the households have borrowed loan from private sources for the purpose of agricultural production.  The results indicated that 50 per cent of the households partially paid and 50 per cent of the households did not repay their loan borrowed from institutional sources.  The results indicated that 80 per cent of the households partially paid and 20 per cent of the households did not repay their loan borrowed from private sources.  The results indicate that, around 41.67 per cent opined that the loan amount borrowed from institutional sources helped to perform timely agricultural operations, 50 per cent of the households opined that loan amount was adequate to fulfil the requirement and 8.33 per cent opined that they were forced to sell the produce at low price to repay loan in time.  The results indicate that, around 60 per cent opined that the loan amount borrowed from non-institutional sources helped to perform timely agricultural operations and 40 per cent opined that loan amount was adequate to fulfil the requirement.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for red gram was Rs. 30214.15. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 62515.40. The net income from red gram cultivation was Rs. 32301.25. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:2.07.  The total cost of cultivation for green gram was Rs. 44142.08. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 37093.34. The net income from green gram cultivation was Rs. -7048.75. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.84.  The total cost of cultivation for cotton was Rs. 40607.93. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 77825.42. The net income from cotton cultivation was Rs. 37217.49. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.92.  The total cost of cultivation for sorghum was Rs. 32547.84. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 34671.48. The net income from sorghum cultivation was Rs. 2123.64. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.07.  The total cost of cultivation for groundnut was Rs. 26959.04. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 41505.76. The net income from groundnut cultivation was Rs. 14546.72. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.54.  The results indicate that, 20 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was adequate, 2.86 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was inadequate and green fodder was adequate for 5.71 per cent of the households.  The results indicate that the annual gross income was Rs. 73,000 for landless farmers, for marginal farmers it was Rs. 98,136.36, for small farmers it was Rs. 4 143,430.77, for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 228,333.33 and for medium farmers it was Rs. 255,666.67.  The results indicate that the average annual expenditure is Rs. 9,854.07. For landless households it was Rs. 5,320, for marginal farmers it was Rs. 6,872.73, for small farmers it was Rs. 4,437.87, for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 25,777.78 and for medium farmers it was Rs. 35,888.89.  The results indicate that, sampled households have grown 2 lemon trees and 5 mango trees in their field.  The results indicate that, households have planted 1 tamarind, 5 banyan and 114 neem trees in their field.  The results indicated that, households have an average investment capacity of Rs. 4,857.14 for land development.  The results indicated that loan from bank was the source of additional investment for 2.86 per cent for land development and soft loan was the source of additional investment for 45.71 per cent of the households for land development.  The results indicated that, cotton green gram, groundnut and red gram were sold to the extent of 100 per cent and sorghum was sold to the extent of 69.44 per cent.  The results indicated that, about 34.29 per cent of the farmers sold their produce to local/village merchants, 51.43 per cent of them sold in regulated markets and 2.86 per cent of them sold their produce through contract marketing arrangement.  The results indicated that, 88.57 per cent of the households have used tractor as a mode of transportation for their agricultural produce.  The results indicated that, 5.71 per cent of the households have experienced soil and water erosion problems in the farm.  The results indicated that, 85.71 per cent have shown interest in soil test.  The results indicated that, 100 per cent of the households used firewood as a source of fuel.  The results indicated that, piped supply was the major source of drinking water for 82.86 per cent of the households in the micro watershed and bore well was the source of drinking water for 17.14 per cent of the households.  Electricity was the major source of light for 100 per cent of the households in micro watershed.  The results indicated that, 54.29 per cent of the households possess sanitary toilet facility.  The results indicated that, 100 per cent of the sampled households possessed BPL card.  The results indicated that, 71.43 per cent of the households participated in NREGA programme.  The results indicated that, cereals were adequate for 45.71 per cent of the households, pulses were adequate for 51.43 per cent, oilseeds were adequate for 5 57.14 per cent, vegetables were adequate for 77.14 per cent, fruits were adequate for 22.86 per cent, milk was adequate for 28.57 per cent and eggs were adequate for 14.29 per cent.  The results indicated that, cereals were inadequate for 51.43 per cent, pulses were inadequate for 51.43 per cent of the households, oilseeds were inadequate for 42.86 per cent, vegetables were inadequate for 22.86 per cent, fruits were inadequate for 71.43 per cent, milk was inadequate for 65.71 per cent, eggs were inadequate for 85.71 per cent and meat was inadequate for 80 per cent of the households.  The results indicated that, lower fertility status of the soil was the constraint experienced by 85.71 per cent of the households, wild animal menace on farm field (82.86%), frequent incidence of pest and diseases (42.86%), inadequacy of irrigation water (45.71%), high cost of fertilizers and plant protection chemicals (42.86%), low price for the agricultural commodities (25.71%), lack of marketing facilities in the area (11.43%), lack of transport for safe transport of the agricultural produce to the market (31.43%), less rainfall (60%), inadequate extension services (2.86%) and Source of Agri-technology information (5.71%).