LAND RESOURCE INVENTORY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF FARM HOUSEHOLDS FOR WATERSHED PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT HANUMANAHATTI (4D4A1R2e) MICROWATERSHED Irakallagada Hobli, Koppal Taluk & District, Karnataka

Abstract

The land resource inventory of Hanumanahatti 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 469 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 97 per cent is covered by soils and 3 per cent by rock outcrops, habitation and water bodies, settlements and others. The salient findings from the land resource inventory are summarized briefly below.  The soils belong to 15 soil series and 32 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.  Entire area is suitable for agriculture.  About 5 per cent of the soils are shallow (50-75 cm), 17 per cent of the soils are moderately shallow (50-75 cm), 16 per cent of the soils are moderately deep (75-100 cm), 57 per cent area has deep (100-150 cm) and 2 per cent has very deep (>150 cm) soils.  About 15 per cent has sandy soils at the surface, 43 per cent has loamy soils at the surface and 38 per cent has clayey soils at the surface.  About 35 per cent of the area has non-gravelly (<15%) soils and 44 per cent gravelly (15-35% gravel) and 17per cent very gravelly (35-60%) soils.  About 24 per cent are very low (<50 mm/m), 44 per cent low (51-100 mm/m), 15 per cent medium (101-150 mm/m) and 14 per cent very high (>200 mm/m) in available water capacity.  An area of about 8 per cent has nearly level (0-1%) and 87 per cent area has very gently sloping (1-3%) and 2 per cent has gently sloping (3-5%) lands.  An area of about 30 per cent has soils that are slightly eroded (e1) and 67 per cent moderately eroded (e2) lands.  An area of about 20 per cent are moderately acid (pH 5.5-6.0), 20 per cent are slightly acid (pH 6.0-6.5), 53 per cent are neutral (pH 6.5-7.3) and 5 per cent are slightly alkaline (pH 7.3-7.8) 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 medium (0.5-0.75%) in 8 per cent and high (>0.75%) in 89 per cent area of the soils.  Available phosphorus is high (>57 kg/ha) in the entire cultivated area in the microwatershed.  About 96 per cent of the soils are medium (145-337 kg/ha) and <1 per cent soils are high (>337 kg/ha) in available potassium content.  Available sulphur is low (<10 ppm) in about 90 per cent, medium (10-20 ppm) in 1 per cent and high (>320 ppm) in the area of about 5 per cent soils.  Available boron is low (0.5 ppm) in about 95 per cent and medium (0.5-1.0 ppm) in 2 per cent area.  Available iron is sufficient (>4.5 ppm) in the entire area of the microwatershed.  Available zinc is deficient (<0.6 ppm) in 3 per cent and sufficient (>0.6 ppm) in about 93 per cent area.  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 72 (15) 148 (31) Sapota 30 (6) 112 (24) Maize 8 (2) 212 (45) Pomegranate 30 (6) 177 (38) Bajra 88 (19) 190 (41) Musambi 95 (20) 112 (24) Groundnut 25 (5) 281 (60) Lime 95 (20) 112 (24) Sunflower 72 (15) 99 (21) Amla 126 (27) 304 (65) Red gram 8 (2) 164 (35) Cashew 8 (2) 135 (29) Bengalgram 65 (14) 186 (40) Jackfruit 30 (6) 112 (24) Cotton 65 (14) 156 (33) Jamun - 207 (44) Chilli 11 (2) 148 (31) Custard apple 161 (34) 269 (57) Tomato 11 (2) 148 (31) Tamarind - 134 (29) Brinjal 107 (23) 235 (50) Mulberry 59 (13) 262 (56) Onion 43 (9) 206 (44) Marigold 8 (2) 213 (45) Bhendi 43 (9) 299 (63) Chrysanthemum 8 (2) 213 (45) Drumstick 59 (13) 255 (54) Jasmine 8 (2) 148 (31) Mango - 69 (15) Crossandra 8 (2) 121 (26) Guava 8 (2) 134 (29)  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 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 90 (52.94%) men and 80 (47.06%) women among the sampled households.  The average family size of landless farmers’ was 3, marginal farmers’ was 5.85, small farmers’ was 4.8, semi medium farmers’ was 5.25, medium farmers’ was 6 and large farmers’ was 5.  The data indicated that, 52 (30.59%) people were in 0-15 years of age, 54 (31.76%) were in 16-35 years of age, 49 (28.82%) were in 36-60 years of age and 15 (8.82%) were above 61 years of age.  The results indicated that Hanumanahatti had 37.06 per cent illiterates, 25.88 per cent of them had primary school education, 4.71 per cent of them had middle school education, 20 per cent of them had high school education, 2.35 per cent of them had PUC education, 0.59 per cent had diploma, 1.18 per cent of them did ITI and 2.94 per cent of them had degree education.  The results indicate that, 66.67 per cent of households were practicing agriculture, 19.44 per cent of the households were agricultural labourers, 13.89 per cent were general labour and 2.78 per cent of them were students.  The results indicate that agriculture was the major occupation for 48.24 per cent of the household members, 5.88 per cent were agricultural laborers, 0.59 per cent were in private service, 30.59 per cent were students and 5.29 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 13.89 per cent of the households possess thatched house and 86.11 per cent of the households possess Katcha house.  The results show that 2.78 per cent of the households possess radio, 25 per cent of the households possess TV, 8.33 per cent of the households possess Mixer grinder, 5.56 per cent of the households possess bicycle, 41.67 per cent of the households possess motor cycle and 91.67 per cent of the households possess mobile phones.  The results show that the average value of radio was Rs.500, television was Rs.8555, mixer grinder was Rs.2000, bicycle was Rs. 2500, motor cycle was Rs.37000 and mobile phone was Rs.2281.  About 13.89 per cent of the households possess plough and 8.33 per cent of them possess weeder.  The results show that the average value of plough was Rs.1500 and the average value of weeder was Rs.80.  The results indicate that, 5.56 per cent of the households possess bullocks, 19.44 per cent of the households possess local cow and 5.88 per cent of them possess buffalo. 2  The results indicate that, average own labour men available in the micro watershed was 1.56, average own labour (women) available was 1.35, average hired labour (men) available was 7.65 and average hired labour (women) available was 6.26.  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 Hanumanahatti micro-watershed possess 13.17 ha (35.54%) of dry land and 23.89 ha (64.46%) of irrigated land. Marginal farmers possess 5.03 ha (100%) of dry land and 0.40 ha (7.44%) of irrigated land. Small farmers possess 8.13 ha (47.21%) of dry land and 9.10 ha (52.79%) of irrigated land. Semi medium farmers possess 6.29 ha (100%) of irrigated land. Medium farmers possess 2.83 ha (100%) of irrigated land and large farmers possess 5.26 ha (100%) of irrigated land.  The results indicate that, the average value of dry land was Rs. 500,983.41 and average value of irrigated land was Rs. 464,458.75. In case of marginal famers, the average land value was Rs. 675,080.38 for dry land and Rs. 1,482,000 for irrigated land. In case of small famers, the average land value was Rs. 393,233.83 for dry land and Rs. 725,177.93 for irrigated land. In case of semi medium famers, the average land value was Rs. 397,106.11 for irrigated land. In case of medium famers, the average land value was Rs. 211,714.29 for irrigated land and in case of large farmers it was Rs. 152,000 for irrigated land.  The results indicate that, there were 18 functioning bore wells in the micro watershed.  The results indicate that, bore well was the major irrigation source in the micro water shed for 50 per cent of the farmers.  The results indicate that, the depth of bore well was found to be 48.26 meters.  The results indicate that, marginal, small, semi medium, medium and large farmers had irrigated area of 0.40 ha, 9.10 ha, 6.30 ha, 2.83 ha and 5.26 ha respectively.  The results indicate that, farmers have grown bajra (4.86 ha), chilly (0.81 ha), green gram (0.81 ha), red gram (0.81 ha) and maize (27.66 ha).  Marginal farmers have grown bajra, chilly and maize. Small farmers have grown bajra, green gram, maize and red gram. Semi medium farmers have grown chilly and maize. Medium farmers have grown maize. Large farmers have grown bajra and maize.  The results indicate that, the cropping intensity in Hanumanahatti micro-watershed was found to be 82.62 per cent. In case of marginal farmers it was 100 per cent, small farmers it was 100.09 per cent, in case of semi medium farmers it was 85.85, medium farmers it was 100 per cent and in case of large farmers it was 38.46 per cent.  The results indicate that, 36.11 per cent of the households have bank account and 22.22 per cent have savings. 3  The results indicate that, 36.11 per cent of the households have availed credit from different sources.  The results indicate that, 84.62 per cent of the households availed loan from loan from grameena bank, 7.69 per cent of the households obtained loan from friends/relatives and another 7.69 per cent borrowed from cooperative bank.  The results indicate that the average credit borrowed was Rs.162692.31.  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, the main purpose of borrowing credit from private sources was also agricultural production.  The results indicated that 91.67 per cent of the households did not repay their loan and 8.33 per cent of the households partially paid the loan that they borrowed from institutional sources.  Results indicated that 100 per cent of the households did not repay their loan borrowed from private sources.  The results indicate that, around 91.67 per cent opined that the loan amount borrowed from institutional sources helped to perform timely agricultural operations and 8.33 per cent opined that the loan amount was adequate to fulfil the requirements.  The results indicate that, around 100 per cent of the households opined that the credit borrowed from private sources helped to perform timely agricultural operations.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for maize was Rs. 25583.39. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 38552.82. The net income from Maize cultivation was Rs. 12969.43, thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.51.  The total cost of cultivation for redgram was Rs. 33089.66. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 167466. The net income from redgram cultivation was Rs. 134376.34. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:5.06.  The total cost of cultivation for bajra was Rs. 18570. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 28775.50. The net income from bajra cultivation was Rs. 10205.50. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.55.  The total cost of cultivation for Green gram was Rs. 19969.24. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 123500. The net income from Green gram cultivation was Rs. 808.47. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:6.18.  the total cost of cultivation for chilly was Rs. 56285.23. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 93860. The net income from chilly cultivation was Rs. 37574.77. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.67.  The results indicate that, 13.89 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was adequate and 13.89 per cent opined that green fodder is adequate. 4  The results indicate that the average annual gross income was Rs. 63,333.33 for landless farmers, for marginal farmers it was Rs. 100,000, for small farmers it was Rs. 112,941.18, for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 118,500, for medium farmers it was Rs. 120,000 and for large farmers it was Rs. 135,000.  The results indicate that the average annual expenditure is Rs. 14,982.43. For landless households it was Rs. 7,583.33, for marginal farmers it was Rs. 7,836.73, for small farmers it was Rs. 9,603.56, for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 21,437.50, for medium farmers it was Rs. 80,000 and for large farmers it was Rs. 110,000.  The results indicate that, sampled households have grown 31 coconut and 5 mango tree in their fields. They have also planted 6 coconut trees in their backyard.  The results indicate that, households have planted 69 neem trees, 2 tamarind trees, 2 acacia and 5 banyan trees in their backyard.  The results indicated that, all crops were sold to the extent of 100 per cent.  The results indicated that, about 16.67 per cent of the famers have sold their produce in regulated markets, 66.67 per cent of the farmers have sold to local/village merchants and 2.78 per cent have sold their produce to agent/traders.  The results indicated that, 86.11 per cent of the households have used tractor as a mode of transportation for their agricultural produce.  The results indicated that, 50 per cent of the households have experienced soil and water erosion problems in the farm i.e., 28.57 per cent of the marginal farmers, 58.82 per cent of the small farmers, 100 per cent of semi medium, 100 per cent of medium and large farmers have experienced soil and water erosion problems.  The results indicated that, 83.33 per cent have shown interest in soil test which accounts for 100 per cent of marginal, small, semi medium, medium and large farmers.  The results indicated that, 94.44 per cent of the households used firewood and 5.56 per cent used LPG as a source of fuel.  The results indicated that, bore well was the major source of drinking water for 5.56 per cent of the households, piped supply was the source of drinking water for 47.22 per cent of the households and lake/tank was the major source of drinking water for 47.22 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, 47.22 per cent of the households possess sanitary toilet i.e. 50 per cent of the landless, 42.86 per cent of the marginal, 47.06 per cent of the small, 25 per cent of the semi medium, 100 per cent of the medium farmers and 100 per cent of the large farmers.  The results indicated that, 91.67 per cent of the sampled households possessed BPL card and 11.11 per cent of the households did not possess PDS card. 5  The results indicated that, 33.33 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 19.44 per cent, fruits were adequate for 8.33 per cent, milk was adequate for 94.44 per cent, eggs were adequate for 100 per cent and meat was adequate for 16.67 per cent.  The results indicated that, pulses were inadequate for 5.56 per cent of the households, oilseeds were inadequate for 88.89 per cent, vegetables were inadequate for 80.56 per cent, fruits were inadequate for 91.67 per cent, milk was inadequate for 2.78 per cent and meat was inadequate for 83.33 per cent of the households.  The results indicated that, lower fertility status of the soil was the constraint experienced by 80.56 per cent of the households, wild animal menace on farm field (33.33%), frequent incidence of pest and diseases (80.56%), inadequacy of irrigation water (80.56%), high cost of fertilizers and plant protection chemicals (80.56%), high rate of interest on credit (80.56%), low price for the agricultural commodities (83.33%), lack of marketing facilities in the area (83.33%), lack of transport for safe transport of the agricultural produce to the market (77.78%) and inadequate extension services (83.33%).