LAND RESOURCE INVENTORY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF FARM HOUSEHOLDS FOR WATERSHED PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT HIRE BAGNALU-4 (4D4A1Z2e) MICROWATERSHED Hitnal Hobli, Koppal Taluk & District, Karnataka

Abstract

The land resource inventory of Hire Bagnalu-4 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 625 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 66 per cent is covered by soils, 1 per cent is covered by mining/industrial, 29 per cent is covered by rock out crops and 4 per cent is by habitation and settlements. The salient findings from the land resource inventory are summarized briefly below.  The soils belong to 10 soil series and 17 soil phases (management units) and 8 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.  An area of about 66 per cent is suitable for agriculture.  An area of about 12 per cent of the soils are very shallow to shallow (<25-50 cm), 52 per cent of the soils are moderately shallow to moderately deep (50-100 cm) and 3 per cent soils are deep (100-150 cm).  An area of about 62 per cent area in the microwatershed has loamy soils and 4 per cent clayey soils at the surface.  An area of about 20 per cent area has non-gravelly (<15% gravel) soils and 46 per cent has gravelly to very gravelly (15-60% gravel) soils.  Entire cultivated area of the microwatershed comes under very low to low (<50-100 mm/m) in available water capacity.  An area of about 65 per cent area of the microwatershed has very gently sloping (1- 3% slope) lands and 1 per cent area of the microwatershed has gently sloping (3-5% slope) lands.  An area of about 1 per cent area is severely (e3) eroded, 55 per cent area is moderately (e2) eroded and about 10 per cent area is slightly (e1) eroded.  An area of about 9 per cent soils are moderately acid to slightly acid (pH 5.5-6.5), 28 per cent soils are neutral (pH 6.5-7.3) and 29 per cent soil are slightly alkaline to strongly alkaline (pH 7.3-9.0) in soil reaction.  The Electrical Conductivity (EC) of the soils in the entire cultivated area of the microwatershed is <2 dsm-1 indicating that the soils are non-saline.  Organic carbon is high (>0.75%) in 43 per cent area, medium (0.5-0.75%) in 20 per cent area and low (<0.5%) in 3 per cent area of the microwatershed.  An area of about 54 per cent is medium (23-57 kg/ha) and 12 per cent is high (>57 kg/ha) in available phosphorus.  An area of about 5 per cent is low (<145 kg/ha), 53 per cent is medium (145-337 kg/ha) and 9 per cent is high (>337 kg/ha) in available potassium.  Available sulphur is high (>20 ppm) in 3 per cent area, medium (10 -20 ppm) in 19 per cent area and low (<10 ppm) in 45 per cent area of the microwatershed.  An area of about 53 per cent is low (<0.5ppm) and 14 per cent is medium (0.5-1.0 ppm) in available boron content.  An area of about 49 per cent is sufficient (>4.5 ppm) and 17 per cent is deficient (<4.5 ppm) in available iron content.  Entire cultivated area of the microwatershed is sufficient (>1.0 ppm) in available manganese content.  Entire cultivated area of the microwatershed is sufficient (>0.2 ppm) in available copper content.  An area of about 15 per cent is deficient (<0.6 ppm) and 51 per cent is sufficient (>0.6 ppm) in available zinc content.  The land suitability for 31 major crops grown in the microwatershed was 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 - 108(17) Sapota - 54(9) Maize - 108(17) Pomegranate - 54(9) Bajra - 170(27) Guava - 54(9) Groundnut - 173(28) Jackfruit - 54(9) Sunflower - - Jamun - 54(9) Cotton - 108(17) Musambi - 54(9) Red gram - - Lime - 54(9) Bengalgram - 80(13) Cashew - 205(33) Chilli - 101(16) Custard apple - 340(55) Tomato - 101(16) Amla - 340(55) Brinjal - 213(34) Tamarind - 12(2) Onion - 206(33) Marigold - 108(17) Bhendi - 213(34) Chrysanthemum - 108(17) Drumstick - 19(3) Jasmine - 108(17) Mulberry - 224(36) Crossandra - 101(16) Mango - -  Apart from the individual crop suitability, a proposed crop plan has been prepared for the 8 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. 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 108 (56.25%) men and 84 (43.75%) women among the sampled households.  The average family size of landless farmers’ was 5.4, marginal farmers’ was 5.14, small farmers’ was 5.82, semi medium farmers’ was 5.40 and medium farmers’ was 5.50.  The data indicated that, 56 (29.17%) people were in 0-15 years of age, 81 (42.19%) were in 16-35 years of age, 41 (21.35%) were in 36-60 years of age and 14 (7.29%) were above 61 years of age.  The results indicated that Hire Bagnalu-4 had 35.42 per cent illiterates, 31.25 per cent of them had primary school education, 8.85 per cent of them had middle school education, 9.90 per cent of them had high school education, 4.17 per cent of them had PUC education, 1.04 per cent of them did diploma and 3.65 per cent of them had degree education.  The results indicate that, 77.14 per cent of households were practicing agriculture, 17.14 per cent of the households were agricultural labourers, 2.86 per cent of them were general labourers and 2.86 per cent were in trade and business.  The results indicate that agriculture was the major occupation for 60.94 per cent of the household members, 9.38 per cent were agricultural laborers, 0.52 per cent were general labourers, 1.04 per cent were in private service, 0.52 per cent were into trade and business, 21.35 per cent were students and 5.73 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 11.43 per cent of the households possess thatched house, 80 per cent of the households possess Katcha house and 8.57 per cent of the households possess pucca/RCC house.  The results show that 60 per cent of the households possess TV, 25.71 per cent of the households possess Mixer grinder, 8.57 per cent of the households possess bicycle, 45.71 per cent of the households possess motor cycle, 2.86 per cent possess auto, 74.29 per cent of the households possess mobile phones and 2.86 per cent of the households possess car/four wheeler.  The results show that the average value of television was Rs. 4,285, mixer grinder was Rs. 2,000, bicycle was Rs. 1,333, motor cycle was Rs. 63,125, auto was Rs. 100,000, car/four wheeler was Rs.400,000 and mobile phone was Rs. 1,407.  About 17.14 per cent of the households possess bullock cart, 28.57 per cent of the households possess plough, 2.86 per cent of them possess seed/fertilizer drill, 8.57 per cent of them possess irrigation pump, 17.14 per cent of them possess tractor, 14.29 per cent of them possess sprayer, 14.29 per cent possess thresher and 45.71 per cent of them possess weeder. 2  The results show that the average value of bullock cart was Rs. 19,166, the average value of plough was Rs. 1,175, seed/fertilizer drill was Rs. 6,000, irrigation pump was Rs.2250, tractor was Rs. 683,333, the average value of sprayer was Rs. 1,740, thresher was Rs. 288 and weeder was Rs.76.  The results indicate that, 11.43 per cent of the households possess bullocks, 34.29 per cent of the households possess local cow, 5.71 per cent of them possess crossbred cow, 11.43 per cent of them possess buffalo and 2.86 per cent of them possess sheep.  The results indicate that, average own labour men available in the micro watershed was 1.53, average own labour (women) available was 1.40, average hired labour (men) available was 19.23 and average hired labour (women) available was 27.  The results indicate that, 91.43 per cent of the households opined that the hired labour was adequate.  The results indicate that, households of the Hire Bagnalu-4 micro-watershed possess 17.97 ha (46.98%) of dry land, 18.66 ha (48.79%) of irrigated land and 1.62 ha (4.23%) of permanent fallow. Marginal farmers possess 2.99 ha (95.85%) of dry land and 0.13 ha of (4.15%) irrigated land. Small farmers possess 6.88 ha (54.31%) of dry land, 4.17 ha (32.91%) of irrigated land and 1.62 ha (12.78%) of permanent fallow. Semi medium farmers possess 8.10 ha (44.96%) of dry land and 9.92 per cent (55.04%) of irrigated land. Medium farmers possess 4.45 (100%) of irrigated land.  The results indicate that, the average value of dry land was Rs. 1,485,003.37, average value of irrigated land was Rs. 808,694.71 and average value of permanent fallow was Rs.123,500. In case of marginal famers, the average land value was Rs. 1,468,648.64 for dry land and Rs. 2,315,625.05 for irrigated land. In case of small famers, the average land value was Rs. 1,394,823.53 for dry land, was Rs. 479,611.65 for irrigated land and was Rs.123,500 for permanent fallow. In case of semi medium famers, the average land value was Rs. 1,567,666.15 for dry land and Rs. 725,877.55 for irrigated land. In case of medium famers, the average land value was Rs. 1,257,454.55 for irrigated land.  The results indicate that, there were 9 functioning bore wells in the micro watershed.  The results indicate that, there was 1 functioning open well in the micro watershed.  The results indicate that, bore well was the major irrigation source in the micro water shed for 25.71 per cent of the farmers and open well was the source of irrigation for 2.86 per cent of the farmers.  The results indicate that, the depth of bore well was found to be 20.12 meters and the depth of open well was found to be 2.26 meters.  The results indicate that, marginal, small, semi medium and medium farmers had irrigated area of 0.13 ha, 2.11 ha, 4.86 ha and 0.81 ha respectively.  The results indicate that, farmers have grown maize (27.4 ha), bajra (3.64 ha), sugarcane (1.62 ha), turmeric (1.21 ha), navane (0.57 ha), groundnut (0.4 ha), pearl millet (0.4 ha), tomato (0.4 ha) and paddy (0.08 ha). 3  Marginal farmers had grown maize and pearl millet. Small farmers had grown maize, bajra, sugarcane, navane, groundnut, tomato and paddy. Semi medium farmers had grown maize, bajra and turmeric. Medium farmers had grown maize, bajra and sugarcane.  The results indicate that, the cropping intensity in Hire Bagnalu-4 micro-watershed was found to be 66.68 per cent. In case of marginal farmers it was 95.23 per cent, small farmers it was 72.47 per cent, in case of semi medium farmers it was 66.50 and medium farmers it was 47.83 per cent.  The results indicate that, 42.86 per cent of the households have bank account.  The results indicate that, 45.71 per cent of the households have availed credit from different sources.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for paddy was Rs. 209286.42. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 314925. The net income from paddy cultivation was Rs. 105638.57. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.5.  The total cost of cultivation for groundnut was Rs. 69786.53. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 49400. The net income from groundnut cultivation was Rs. -20386.53. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.71.  The total cost of cultivation for maize was Rs. 55122.21. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 61853.31. The net income from maize cultivation was Rs. 6731.09. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.12.  the total cost of cultivation for bajra was Rs. 39740.66. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 25060.21. The net income from bajra cultivation was Rs. - 14680.45. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.63.  the total cost of cultivation for Tomato was Rs. 50203.67. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 98800. The net income from Tomato cultivation was Rs. 48596.33. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.97.  the total cost of cultivation for Horsegram was Rs. 23515.93. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 41166.67. The net income from Horsegram cultivation was Rs. 17650.73. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.75.  the total cost of cultivation for Onion was Rs. 219057.06. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 493999.99. The net income from Onion cultivation was Rs. 274942.93. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:2.26.  the total cost of cultivation for Sugarcane was Rs. 73478.57. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 624910. The net income from Sugarcane cultivation was Rs. 551431.43. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:8.5.  the total cost of cultivation for Navane was Rs. 29986.47. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 51870. The net income from Navane cultivation was Rs. 21883.53. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.73. 4  the total cost of cultivation for Turmeric was Rs. 40825.18. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 24700. The net income from Turmeric cultivation was Rs. -16125.18. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.61.  The results indicate that, 40 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was adequate and 11.43 per cent opined that green fodder was adequate.  The results indicate that the average annual gross income was Rs. 5,000 for landless farmers, for marginal farmers it was Rs. 32,071.43, for small farmers it was Rs. 82,045.55, for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 80,050 and for medium farmers it was Rs. 100,000.  The results indicate that the average annual expenditure is Rs. 3,695.51. For marginal farmers it was Rs. 2,020.41, for small farmers it was Rs. 4,427.27, for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 3,650 and for medium farmers it was Rs. 15,000.  The results indicate that, households have planted 22 coconut trees and 2 mango trees in the field.  The results indicate that, households have planted 45 neem tree, 4 acacia trees and 2 eucalyptus trees in their field.  The results indicated that, households have an average investment capacity of Rs. 4,771.43 for land development, Rs. 257.14 for irrigation facility, Rs. 3,857.14 for improved crop production and Rs.228.57 for improved livestock management.  The results indicated that loan from bank was the source of additional investment for 20 per cent for land development, for 5.71 per cent for irrigation facility, for 22.86 per cent for improved crop production. Soft loan was the source of additional investment for 17.14 per cent for land development, for 11.43 per cent for improved crop production and 2.86 per cent for improved livestock management.  The results indicated that, bajra was sold to the extent of 58.33 per cent, groundnut to the extent of 25 per cent, Sugarcane to the extent of 60 per cent, maize to the extent of 4.03 per cent and paddy was sold to the extent of 54.55 per cent.  The results indicated that, about 2.86 per cent of the famers have sold their produce in regulated markets and 100 per cent of the farmers have sold to local/village merchants.  The results indicated that, 105.71 per cent of the households have used tractor and 2.86 per cent have used cart as a mode of transportation for their agricultural produce.  The results indicated that, 68.57 per cent of the households have experienced soil and water erosion problems in the farm i.e., 100 per cent of the marginal farmers, 90.91 per cent of the small farmers, 50 per cent of semi medium farmers and 100 per cent of medium farmers have experienced soil and water erosion problems.  The results indicated that, 85.71 per cent have shown interest in soil test.  The results indicated that, 94.29 per cent of the households used firewood and 5.71 per cent of the households used biogas as a source of fuel. 5  The results indicated that, bore well was the major source of drinking water for 11.43 per cent of the households, piped supply was the source of drinking water for 57.14 per cent of the households, open well was the source of drinking water for 2.86 per cent and lake/tank was the major source of drinking water for 28.57 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, 57.14 per cent of the households possess sanitary toilet.  The results indicated that, 100 per cent of the sampled households possessed BPL card.  The results indicated that, 65.71 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 92.29 per cent, oilseeds were adequate for 34.29 per cent, vegetables were adequate for 42.86 per cent, milk was adequate for 65.71 per cent, eggs were adequate for 48.57 per cent and meat was adequate for 14.29 per cent.  The results indicated that, cereals were inadequate for 5.71 per cent, pulses were inadequate for 8.57 per cent of the households, oilseeds were inadequate for 60 per cent, vegetables were inadequate for 51.43 per cent, fruits were inadequate for 94.29 per cent, eggs were inadequate for 48.57 per cent, milk was inadequate for 34.29 per cent and meat was inadequate for 71.43 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 (85.71%), frequent incidence of pest and diseases (82.86%), inadequacy of irrigation water (40%), high cost of fertilizers and plant protection chemicals (71.43%), high rate of interest on credit (57.14%), low price for the agricultural commodities (62.86%), lack of marketing facilities in the area (62.86%), lack of transport for safe transport of the agricultural produce to the market (37.14%), inadequate extension services (25.71%), less rainfall (2.86%) and source of agri-technology information (2.86%).