LAND RESOURCE INVENTORY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF FARM HOUSEHOLDS FOR WATERSHED PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT HONAGERI-1 (4D5B1H2a) MICROWATERSHED Hattakuni Hobli, Yadgir Taluk and District, Karnataka

Abstract

The land resource inventory of Honageri-1Microwatershed 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 574 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 501 ha in the microwatershed is covered by soils, 25 ha by rock outcrops and 47 ha by others (habitation and water body). The salient findings from the land resource inventory are summarized briefly below.  The soils belong to 6 soil series and 10 soil phases (management units) and 3 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.  Entire area in the microwatershed is suitable for agriculture.  About 10 per cent area is moderately shallow (<25 cm), 78 per cent area of the microwatershed has soils that are moderately deep to very deep (75 - >150 cm).  About 73 per cent area in the microwatershed has loamy soils and 15 per cent clayey soils at the surface.  Entire area of 87 per cent in the microwatershed is non gravelly (<15%)  About 75 per cent area of the microwatershed is very high (>200 mm/m) in available water capacity, 12 per cent is low (51-100 mm/m).  About 40 per cent area in the microwatershed has nearly level (0-1% slope) lands and 48 per cent has very gently sloping (1-3% slope) lands.  An area of about 48 per cent is moderately (e2) eroded and 40 per cent area is slightly (e1) eroded.  An area of about 27 per cent area is neutral (pH 6.5-7.3) in soil reaction, 38 per cent soils is slightly to moderately alkaline (pH 7.3-8.4) and 22 per cent soils are strongly to very strongly alkaline (pH 8.4 - >9.0).  The Electrical Conductivity (EC) of entire soils of the microwatershed is dominantly <2 dsm-1indicating that the soils are non-saline.  About 6 per cent of the soils are low (<0.5%) in organic carbon and 82 per cent medium (0.5-0.75%).  87 per cent area is medium (23-57 kg/ha)in available phosphorus  About 72 per cent is medium (145-337 kg/ha) in available potassium and 16 per cent is low (<145 kg/ha).  Available sulphur is low (<10 ppm) in an area of about 65 per cent and medium (10 -20 ppm) in 22 per cent.  Available boron is low (<0.5 ppm) in an area of about 85 per cent and 3 per cent is medium (0.5-1.0 ppm).  Available iron is sufficient (>4.5 ppm) in the entire area of the microwatershed.  Available manganese and copper are sufficient in all the soils of the microwatershed.  Available zinc is deficient (<0.6 ppm) in the entire area 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 432 (75) 65 (11) Guava - 14 (2) Maize - 496 (87) Sapota - 14(2) Bajra - 502 (87) Pomegranate - 446 (78) Groundnut - 14 (2) Musambi 431 (75) 15 (3) Sunflower 426 (74) 15 (3) Lime 431 (75) 14 (3) Redgram - 446 (78) Amla - 497 (87) Bengal gram 432 (75) 56(10) Cashew - - Cotton 426 (74) 62 (11) Jackfruit - 9(2) Chilli - 502 (88) Jamun - 437 (76) Tomato - 496 (87) Custard apple 441 (77) 56(10) Brinjal 142(25) 361(63) Tamarind - 437 (76) Onion 395 (69) 56(10) Mulberry - 9(2) Bhendi 201(35) 301(52) Marigold - 502 (88) Drumstick - 446(78) Chrysanthemum - 502 (88) Mango - 135(24)  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 94 (59.12%) men and 65 (40.88%) women among the sampled households.  The average family size of landless farmers’ was 4, marginal farmers’ was 3.7, small farmers’ was 3.8 and semi medium farmers’ was 5.2.  The data indicated that, 31 (19.50 %) people were in 0-15 years of age, 69 (43.40 %) were in 16-35 years of age, 45 (28.30 %) were in 36-60 years of age and 14 (8.81 %) were above 61 years of age.  The results indicated that Honageri-1 had 56.60 per cent illiterates, 0.63 per cent of them had functional literate and masters, 13.84 per cent of them had primary school education, 3.14 per cent of them had middle school education, 10.69 per cent of them had high school education, 2.52 per cent of them had PUC education and 6.29 per cent had degree education.  The results indicate that, 52.78 per cent of household heads were practicing agriculture, 47.22 per cent of the household heads were agricultural labourer and 2.78 per cent were general labour.  The results indicate that agriculture was the major occupation for 41.51 per cent of the household members, 33.33 per cent were agricultural laborers, 1.26 per cent were general laborers, 0.63 per cent were in private service, 16.98 per cent were students and 6.29 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 22.22 per cent of the households possess thatched house, 69.44 per centre of them possess Katcha house and 8.33 per cent of them possess pucca/RCC house.  The results show that 77.78 per cent of the households possess TV, 2.78 per cent of them possess mixer/grinder and tempo, 16.67 per cent of the households possess motor cycle and 94.44 per cent of the households possess mobile phones.  The results show that the average value of television was Rs. 8,785, mixer/grinder was Rs. 2,000, motor cycle was Rs. 59,333, tempo was Rs. 180,000 and mobile phone was Rs. 3,002.  About 8.33 per cent of the households possess plough, 5.56 per cent of them possess weeder and 2.78 per cent of them possess chaff cutter. About 8.33 per cent of the households possess plough, 5.56 per cent of them possess weeder and 2.78 per cent of them possess chaff cutter.  The results indicate that, 19.44 per cent of the households possess bullocks, 13.89 per cent of the households possess local cow and 2.78 per cent of the households possess buffalo. 2  The results indicate that, average own labour men available in the micro watershed was 1.52, average own labour (women) available was 1.19, average hired labour (men) available was 8.52 and average hired labour (women) available was 7.70.  The results indicate that, 75 per cent of the households opined that the hired labour was adequate.  The results indicate that, households of the Honageri-1 micro-watershed possess 39.98 ha (92.16 %) of dry land, 2.59 ha (5.97%) of irrigated land and 0.81 ha (1.87%) of permanent fallow land. Marginal farmers possess 6.12 ha (88.31 %) of dry land and 0.81 ha (11.69%) of Permanent Fallow. Small farmers possess 7.86 ha (100 %) of dry land. Semi medium farmers possess 26.01 ha (90.94 %) of dry land and 2.59 ha (9.06 %) of irrigated land.  The results indicate that, the average value of dry land was Rs. 632,750, the average value of irrigated land was Rs. 1,157,812.48 and the average value of permanent fallow was Rs. 642,200. In case of marginal famers, the average land value was Rs. 1,062,541.37 for dry land and Rs. 642,200 for permanent fallow. In case of small famers, the average land value was Rs. 662,310.86 for dry land. In case of semi medium famers, the average land value was Rs. 522,751.33 for dry land and the average land value was Rs. 1,157,812.48 of 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 5.56 per cent of the farmers.  The results indicate that, the depth of bore well was found to be 5.93 meters.  The results indicate that semi-medium farmers had an irrigated area of 2.59 ha, respectively.  The results indicate that, farmers have grown red gram (17.43 ha), groundnut (15.48 ha), cotton (3.87ha), sorghum (3.72 ha) and bajra (0.4 ha).  The results indicate that, the cropping intensity in Honageri-1 micro-watershed was found to be 96.03 per cent.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for red gram was Rs. 37189.90. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 69834.81. The net income from red gram cultivation was Rs. 32644.91. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.88.  The total cost of cultivation for cotton was Rs. 33175.92. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 51960.12. The net income from cotton cultivation was Rs. 18784.20. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.57.  The total cost of cultivation for Groundnut was Rs. 44384.27. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 110787.87. The net income from Groundnut cultivation was Rs. 66403.60. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:2.5. 3  The total cost of cultivation for sorghum was Rs. 42476.37. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 95269.99. The net income from sorghum cultivation was Rs. 52793.62. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:2.24.  The total cost of cultivation for Bajra was Rs. 66871.31. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 78926.34. The net income from Bajra cultivation was Rs. 12055.03. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1: 1.18.  The results indicate that, 25 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder and green fodder was adequate.  The results indicate that the annual gross income was Rs. 62,500 for landless farmers, for marginal farmers it was Rs. 78,500, for small farmers it was Rs. 104,666.67 and for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 89,105. The results indicate that the average annual expenditure is Rs. 6,851.39. For landless households it was Rs. 6,000, for marginal farmers it was Rs. 5,615, for small farmers it was Rs. 11,805.56 and for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 5,972.22.  The results indicate that, sampled households have grown 1 mango trees in their field. The results indicate that, households have planted 114 neem trees in their field.  The results indicated that, households have an average investment capacity of Rs. 5,694.44 for land development.  The results indicated that own funds was the source of additional investment for 33.33 per cent for land development.  The results indicated that, bajra was sold to the extent of 71.43 per cent, cotton was sold to the extent of 100 per cent, groundnut was sold to the extent of 68.22 per cent, red gram was sold to the extent of 86.49 per cent and sorghum was sold to the extent of 60.94 per cent.  The results indicated that, about 2.78 per cent of the farmers sold their produce to agent/ traders, 66.67 per cent of the farmers sold their produce to local/village merchants and 6.67 per cent of them sold in regulated markets.  The results indicated that, 2.78 per cent of the households have used head load and 72.22 per cent of the households have used tractor as a mode of transportation for their agricultural produce.  The results indicated that, 33.33 per cent of the households have experienced soil and water erosion problems in the farm.  The results indicated that, 72.22 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 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. 4  The results indicated that, 69.44 per cent of the households possess sanitary toilet facility.  The results indicated that, 97.22 per cent of the sampled households possessed BPL card and 2.78 per cent of the sampled households has not possessed PDS card.  The results indicated that, 88.89 per cent of the households participated in NREGA programme.  The results indicated that, cereals, pulses and meat were adequate for 100 per cent of the households, oilseed were adequate for 2.78 per cent, vegetables were adequate for 50 per cent, fruits was adequate for 8.33 per cent and eggs and meat were adequate for 97.22 per cent.  The results indicated that, oilseed were inadequate for 97.22 per cent of the households, vegetables were inadequate for 50 per cent, fruits was inadequate for 91.67 per cent, milk and eggs were inadequate for 2.78 per cent.  The results indicated that, lower fertility status of the soil, frequent incidence of pest and diseases, high cost of fertilizer and plant protection chemicals and high rate of interest on credit was the constraint experienced by 75 per cent of the households and wild animal menace on farm field (77.78 %).