LAND RESOURCE INVENTORY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF FARM HOUSEHOLDS FOR WATERSHED PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT HALIGERI-2 (4D5B1J1f) MICROWATERSHED Yadgir & Balichakra Hobli, Yadgir Taluk and District, Karnataka

Abstract

The land resource inventory of Haligeri-2 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 749 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, 138mm during north-east and the remaining 76 mm during the rest of the year. An area of 645 ha in the microwatershed is covered by soils and about 104 ha by others (habitation and water bodies). The salient findings from the land resource inventory are summarized briefly below.  The soils belong to 13 soil series and 20 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 4thweek 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 53 per cent area of the microwatershed has soils that are very shallow to moderately shallow (0 -75 cm) and 33 per cent soils are moderately deep to very deep (75->150 cm).  About 10 per cent area in the microwatershed has sandy soils, 55 per cent of loamy soils and 20 per cent clayey soil1 at the surface.  About 66 per cent area is non gravelly (<15%) and 20 per cent is gravelly (15- 35%).  About 14 per cent area of the microwatershed is very high (>200 mm/m) in available water capacity, 59 per cent area low (51-100 mm/m) and 14 per cent area very low (<50 mm/m) in available water capacity.  About 4 per cent area of the microwatershed has nearly level (0-1% slope) lands. 77 per cent area of the microwatershed has very gently sloping (1-3% slope) lands and 5 per cent area is gently sloping lands (3-5% slope).  An area of about 4 per cent is slightly (e1) eroded, 65 per cent area is moderately (e2) eroded and 17 per cent area is severely (e3) eroded.  An area of about 0.37 per cent soils are slightly acid (pH 6-6.5) in soil reaction, 24 per cent soils are neutral (pH 6.5-7.3), 36 per cent soil are slightly to moderately alkaline (pH 7.3-8.4) and 25 per cent soils are strongly to very strongly alkaline (8.4 - >9.0).  The Electrical Conductivity (EC) of the soils in the entire area of the microwatershed is dominantly <2 dsm-1indicating that the soils are non-saline.  About 74 per cent of the soils are medium (0.5-0.75%) in organic carbon and 12 per cent high (>0.75).  About 76 per cent area is low in available phosphorus and 10 per area is medium (23-57 kg/ha)  About 26 per cent is low (145 kg/ha) in available potassium and 60 per cent medium (145-337 kg/ha)  Available sulphur is low (<10 ppm) in an area of about 30 per cent, medium (10 - 20 ppm) in 49 per cent and high in 30 per cent area of the microwatershed.  Available boron is low (<0.5 ppm) in an area of about 76 per cent and medium (0.5-1.0 ppm) in 10 per cent area of the microwatershed.  Available iron is sufficient (>4.5 ppm) in the whole 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 116 (16) 424 (57) Guava - 114 (15) Maize - 540 (72) Sapota - 114(15) Bajra - 556 (74) Pomegranate - 230(31) Groundnut - 382 (51) Musambi 34(5) 196(26) Sunflower 64 (9) 166(22) Lime 34 (5) 196 (26) Redgram - 192 (26) Amla 34 (5) 522 (70) Bengal gram 116(16) 310 (42) Cashew - - Cotton 68 (9) 358 (49) Jackfruit - 114 (15) Chilli - 540 (73) Jamun - 116(16) Tomato - 458(63) Custard apple 231(31) 326 (44) Brinjal 66 (9) 491 (65) Tamarind - 116 (15) Bhendi 181 (24) 10(2) Mulberry - 131 (17) Onion 197 (26) 343(46) Marigold - 540 (72) Drumstick - 247 (33) Chrysanthemum - 540 (72) 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 horticulture crops.  Maintaining soil-health is vital to 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 to 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 on households sampled for socio economic survey indicated that 45 farmers were sampled in Haligeri-2 micro-watershed among them 1 (2.22 %) were landless, 15 (33.33 %) were marginal farmers, 16 (35.56 %) were small farmers, 10 (22.22 %) were semi medium farmers and 3 (6.67 %) were medium farmers.  The data indicated that there were 126 (61.17 %) men and 80 (38.83 %) women among the sampled households. The average family size of landless farmers’ was 3.25, marginal farmers’ was 6.02, small farmers’ was 4.54, semi medium farmers’ was 4.5 and medium farmers’ was 11.  The data indicated that, 36 (17.48 %) people were in 0-15 years of age, 89 (43.20 %) were in 16-35 years of age, 71 (34.47 %) were in 36-60 years of age and 10 (4.85 %) were above 61 years of age.  The results indicated that Haligeri-2had 49.03 per cent illiterates, 14.08 per cent of them had primary school, 2.43 per cent of them had middle school and Diploma, 13.59 per cent of them had high school education, 8.74 per cent of them had PUC, 0.49 per cent of them had ITI, 4.37 per cent of them had Degree education and 0.49 per cent of them had Masters education.  The results indicate that, 88.89 per cent of household heads were practicing agriculture and 2.22 per cent of the household heads were agricultural labourers and Housewives.  The results indicate that agriculture was the major occupation for 72.33 per cent of the household members, 2.43 per cent were agricultural labourers, 0.49 per cent were Artisans and Government Service, 1.94 per cent were private service, 16.50 per cent were Student, 1.94 per cent were housewives and 3.88 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 8.89 per cent of the households possess Thatched house, 68.89 per cent of the households possess Katcha house and 24.44 per cent of them possess Pucca/RCC house.  The results show that 62.22 per cent of the households possess TV, 24.44 per cent of the households possess mixer/grinder and Motor Cycle, 4.44 per cent of the households possess Refrigerator, 6.67 per cent of the households possess Auto, 2.22 per cent of the households possess Tempo and Car/Four Wheeler and 100 per cent of the households possess mobile phones.  The results show that the average value of television was Rs. 5,985, mixer/grinder was Rs. 1,936, Refrigerator was Rs. 9,000, motor cycle was Rs. 60,909, Auto was 2 Rs. 125,000, Tempo was Rs. 3,00,000, Car/Four Wheeler was Rs. 4,00,000 and mobile phone was Rs. 1,993.  About 11.11 per cent of the households possess Bullock Cart, 31.11 per cent of the households possess Plough, 31.11 2.22 per cent of the households possess Seed/Fertilizer Drill, Transplanter/Grinder and Tractor, 4.44 per cent of the households possess Harvester, 8.89 per cent of the households possess Sprinkler, 20 per cent of them possess Sprayer and 53.33 per cent of them possess weeder.  The results show that the average value of bullock cart was Rs. 16,000, plough was Rs. 6,214, Seed/Fertilizer Drill was Rs. 2,000, Transplanter/Grinder was Rs. 650,000, Tractor was Rs. 500,000, sprayer was Rs. 4,411, sprinkler was Rs. 7,700 and the average value of weeder was Rs. 189.  The results indicate that, 13.33 per cent of the households possess bullocks, 8.89 per cent of the households possess local cow, 2.22 per cent of the households possess Crossbred cow and Goat and 4.44 per cent of the households possess Buffalo.  The results indicate that, average own labour men available in the micro watershed was 2.13, average own labour (women) available was 1.20, average hired labour (men) available was 8.04 and average hired labour (women) available was 7.62.  In case of marginal farmers, average own labour men available was 2.53, average own labour (women) was 1.07, average hired labour (men) was 7.27 and average hired labour (women) available was 6.93. In case of small farmers, average own labour men available was 2.25, average own labour (women) was 1.44, average hired labour (men) was 7.38 and average hired labour (women) available was 6.75. In case of semi medium farmers, average own labour men available was 1.40, average own labour (women) was 1.10, average hired labour (men) was 10 and average hired labour (women) available was 9.60. In case of medium farmers, average own labour men available was 2.33 and average own labour (women) was 1, average hired labour (men) was 11.67 and average hired labour (women) available was 11.67.  The results indicate that, 97.78 per cent of the households opined that the hired labour was adequate.  The results show that, 0.97 per cent of the population in the micro watershed has migrated.  The results show that, average distance of migration was 600 kms and average duration of migration was 12 months.  The results show that, 100 per cent of the population has migrated for the purpose of job/wage/work.  The results indicate that, households of the Haligeri-2 micro-watershed possess 42.36 ha (69.16 %) of dry land, 16.06 ha (26.22 %) of irrigated land, 2.83 ha 3 (4.63 %) of Permanent Fallow land. Marginal farmers possess 7.31 ha (100 %) of dry land and. Small farmers possess 12.23 ha (68.22 %) of dry land and 5.70 ha (31.78 %) of irrigated land. Semi medium farmers possess 10.27 ha (48.12 %) of dry land and 8.24 ha (38.60 %) of irrigated land and 2.83 ha (13.28 %) of Permanent Fallow land. Medium farmers possess 12.55 ha (85.52 %) of dry land and 2.12 ha (14.48 %) of irrigated land.  The results indicate that, the average value of dry land was Rs. 464,924.52, the average value of irrigated land was Rs. 722,076.62 and the average value of Permanent Fallow land was Rs. 141,142.86. In case of marginal famers, the average land value was Rs. 1,530,935.25 for dry land. In case of small famers, the average land value was Rs. 408,669.76 for dry land and Rs. 894,673.30 for irrigated land. In case of semi medium famers, the average land value was Rs. 214,189.99 for dry land and Rs. 691,842.76 for irrigated land and the average value of Permanent Fallow land was Rs. 141,142.86. In case of medium farmers, the average land value was Rs. 103,580.65 for dry land and Rs. 376,380.95 for irrigated land.  The results indicate that, there were 7 functioning bore wells in the micro watershed.  The results indicate that, bore well was the major irrigation source in the micro watershed for 17.78 per cent of the farmers and Open Well was the major irrigation source in the micro watershed for 6.67 per cent of the farmers.  The results indicate that, the depth of bore well was found to be 12.67 meters and the depth of Open Well was found to be 4.13 meters.  The results indicate that, small, semi medium farmers and medium farmers had an irrigated area of 4.87 ha, 4.88 ha and 2.02 ha respectively.  The results indicate that, farmers have grown cotton (22.88 ha), Groundnut (6.48 ha), green gram (5.29 ha), Paddy (11.19 ha), Sorghum (1.21 ha) and red gram (11.84 ha). Marginal farmers have grown red gram, Groundnut, cotton and green gram. Small farmers have grown cotton, Sorghum, red gram, green gram and paddy. Semi medium farmers have grown cotton, Groundnut, paddy and Red gram. Medium farmers have grown cotton and red gram.  The results indicate that, the cropping intensity in Haligeri-2 micro-watershed was found to be 99.70 per cent.  The results indicate that, 73.33 per cent of the households have bank account and 64.44 per cent of the households have bank Savings.  The results indicate that, 11.11 per cent of the households have availed credit from different sources.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for Cotton was Rs. 71877.62. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 195001.60. The net income 4 from Cotton cultivation was Rs. 123123.98. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1: 2.71.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for green gram was Rs. 52884.93. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 58336.08. The net income from green gram cultivation was Rs. 5451.16. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1: 1.1.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for Red gram was Rs. 27561.73. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 57974.01. The net income from Red gram cultivation was Rs. 30412.28. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1: 2.1.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for Paddy was Rs. 59540.62. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 93411.60. The net income from Paddy cultivation was Rs. 33870.98. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1: 1.57.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for Sorghum was Rs. 23706.95. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 65866.67. The net income from Sorghum cultivation was Rs. 42159.72. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1: 2.78.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for Groundnut was Rs. 34959.62. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 79494.55. The net income from Groundnut cultivation was Rs. 44534.93. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1: 2.27.  The results indicate that, 15.56 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was adequate and 11.11 per cent of the households opined that green fodder was adequate.  The results indicate that the annual gross income was Rs. 35,000 for landless, Rs. 181,266.67 for marginal farmers, for small farmers it was Rs. 214,875, semi medium farmers it was Rs. 175,000 and medium farmers it was Rs. 440,000.  The results indicate that the average annual expenditure is Rs. 10,339.62. For landless it was Rs. 15,000, marginal farmers it was Rs. 4,232.78, for small farmers it was Rs. 6,598.18, for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 10,705.36 and medium farmers it was Rs. 58,055.56.  The results indicate that, households have planted 4 Mango trees in their field.  The results indicate that, households have planted 59 Neem, 5 Banyan, 1 Banyan, 3 Teak and 4 tamarind trees in their field and 4 neem trees in their backyard.  The results indicated that, households have an average investment capacity of Rs. 1,250 for land development.  The results indicated that, Groundnut, Sorghum and Red gram was sold to the extent of 100 per cent, Paddy was sold to the extent of 93.84 per cent and Green gram was sold to the extent of 77.61 per cent. 5  The results indicated that, about 86.67 per cent of the farmers sold their produce to local/village merchants and 8.89 per cent of the farmers sold their produce to Regulated Market.  The results indicated that, 6.67 per cent of the households have used Head Load as a mode of transportation, 20 per cent of the households have used Cart as a mode of transportation, 57.78 per cent of the households have used Tractor as a mode of transportation and 11.11 per cent of the households have used Truck as a mode of transportation.  The results indicated that, 68.89 per cent of the households have experienced soil and water erosion problems in the farm.  The results indicated that, 68.89 per cent have shown interest in soil test.  The results indicated that, 82.22 per cent of the households used firewood as a source of fuel, 4.44 per cent of the households used Kerosene as a source of fuel and 13.33 per cent of the households used LPG as a source of fuel.  The results indicated that, piped supply was the major source of drinking water for 82.22 per cent of the households in the micro watershed and Bore Well was the major source of drinking water for 15.56 per cent of the households in the micro watershed.  The results indicated that, Electricity was the major source of light for 95.56 per cent of the households in micro watershed and Kerosene Lamp was the major source of light for 2.22 per cent of the households in micro watershed.  The results indicated that, 53.33 per cent of the households possess sanitary toilet facility.  The results indicated that, 95.56 per cent of the sampled households possessed BPL cards and 2.22 per cent of the sampled households possessed APL cards .  The results indicated that, 88.89 per cent of the households participated in NREGA programme.  The results indicated that, cereals were adequate for 95.56 per cent of the households, Pulses were adequate for 88.89 per cent of the households, Oilseed were adequate for 15.56 per cent of the households, Vegetables were adequate for 8.89 per cent, Egg were adequate for 22.22 per cent, Fruits were adequate for 2.86 per cent, Milk was adequate for 24.44 per cent and Meat were adequate for 2.22 per cent.  The results indicated that, Pulses were inadequate for 6.67 per cent, oilseeds were inadequate for 80 per cent, vegetables were inadequate for 86.67 per cent, milk were inadequate for 57.78 per cent, fruits were inadequate for 88.89 per cent, Milk were inadequate for 57.78 per cent, Egg were inadequate for 85.71 per cent of the households and Meat was inadequate for 97.14 per cent of the households.  The results indicated that, lower fertility status of the soil was the constraint experienced by 68.89 per cent of the households, Frequent incidence of pest and 6 diseases were the constraint experienced by 82.22 per cent of the households, Wild animal menace on farm field (51.11 %), High cost of Fertilizers and plant protection chemicals (82.22 %), Lack of marketing facilities in the area (77.14 %), High rate of interest on credit (80 %), Inadequacy of irrigation water (64.44 %), Low price for the agricultural commodities (88.57 %), Lack of transport for safe transport of the Agril produce to the market (86.67 %), Source of Agritechnology information (Newspaper/ TV/Mobile) (26.67 %) and Less Rainfall (24.44 %).