LAND RESOURCE INVENTORY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF FARM HOUSEHOLDS FOR WATERSHED PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT KINHALU-1 (4D4A1S1f) MICROWATERSHED Irakallagada Hobli, Koppal Taluk & District, Karnataka

Abstract

The land resource inventory of Kinhalu-1 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 591 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 86 per cent is covered by soils and 14 per cent by habitation and water bodies, settlements and others. The salient findings from the land resource inventory are summarized briefly below.  The soils belong to 10 soil series and 23 soil phases (management units) and 6 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 10 per cent of the soils are moderately shallow (50-75 cm), 3 per cent of the soils are moderately deep (75-100 cm), 45 per cent area has deep (100-150 cm) and 28 per cent has very deep (>150 cm) soils.  About 14 per cent has loamy soils at the surface and 71 per cent has clayey soils at the surface.  About 81 per cent of the area has non-gravelly (<15%) soils and 5 per cent gravelly (15-35% gravel) soils.  About 9 per cent are very low (<50 mm/m), 34 per cent low (51-100 mm/m), 1 per cent medium (101-150 mm/m), 7 per cent high (151-200 mm/m) and 41 per cent very high (>200 mm/m) in available water capacity.  An area of about 10 per cent has nearly level (0-1%) and 75 per cent area has very gently sloping (1-3%) lands.  An area of about 23 per cent has soils that are slightly eroded (e1) and 62 per cent moderately eroded (e2) lands.  An area of about 48 per cent are moderately alkaline (pH 7.8-8.4), 34 per cent are strongly alkaline (pH 8.4-9.0) and 3 per cent are very strongly alkaline (pH >9.0) 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 <1 per cent and high (>0.75%) in 85 per cent area of the soils.  Available phosphorus is medium (23-57 kg/ha) in the entire area of about 86 per cent in the microwatershed.  About 24 per cent of the soils are medium (145-337 kg/ha) and 61 per cent soils are high (>337 kg/ha) in available potassium content.  Available sulphur is medium (10-20 ppm) in 14 per cent and high (>320 ppm) in 72 per cent soils.  Available boron is low (0.5 ppm) in about 27 per cent, medium (0.5-1.0 ppm) in 54 per cent and high (>1.0 ppm) in 5 per cent area.  Available iron is sufficient (>4.5 ppm) in the entire cultivated area of the microwatershed.  Available zinc is deficient (<0.6 ppm) in 19 per cent and sufficient (>0.6 ppm) in about 66 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 79 (13) 276 (47) Sapota 45 (8) 10 (2) Maize 8 (1) 346 (59) Pomegranate 45 (8) 253 (43) Bajra 45 (8) 309 (52) Musambi 79 (13) 219 (37) Groundnut 37 (6) 152 (26) Lime 79 (13) 219 (37) Sunflower 79 (13) 219 (37) Amla 79 (13) 428 (72) Red gram 45 (8) 253 (43) Cashew 45 (8) 9 (1) Bengalgram 34 (6) 321 (54) Jackfruit 45 (8) - Cotton 71 (12) 284 (48) Jamun 37 (6) 251 (42) Chilli 45 (8) 34 (6) Custard apple 79 (13) 428 (72) Tomato 45 (8) 43 (7) Tamarind 37 (6) 252 (43) Brinjal 8 (1) 500 (84) Mulberry 45 (8) 235 (40) Onion 8 (1) 190 (32) Marigold 45 (8) 310 (52) Bhendi 8 (1) 500 (84) Chrysanthemum 45 (8) 310 (52) Drumstick 45(8) 154 (26) Jasmine 45 (8) 57 (10) Mango 37 (6) 89 (15) Crossandra 45 (8) - Guava 45 (8) -  Apart from the individual crop suitability, a proposed crop plan has been prepared for the 6 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 99 (59.28%) men and 68 (40.72%) women among the sampled households.  The average family size of landless farmers’ was 4.2, marginal farmers’ was 4.63, small farmers’ was 5.3 and semi medium farmers’ was 4.3.  The data indicated that, 37 (22.16%) people were in 0-15 years of age, 63 (37.72%) were in 16-35 years of age, 53 (31.74%) were in 36-60 years of age and 14 (8.38%) were above 61 years of age.  The results indicated that Kinhalu-1 had 31.14 per cent illiterates, 30.54 per cent of them had primary school education, 4.79 per cent of them had middle school education, 16.77 per cent of them had high school education, 7.19 per cent of them had PUC education, 0.60 per cent had diploma, 1.80 per cent did ITI and 3.59 per cent of them had degree education.  The results indicate that, 66.67 per cent of household heads were practicing agriculture and 33.33 per cent of the household heads were agricultural labourers.  The results indicate that agriculture was the major occupation for 34.73 per cent of the household members, 35.33 per cent were agricultural laborers, 2.99 per cent were in private service, 0.60 per cent were in trade and business, 21.56 per cent were students, 2.99 per cent were children and 1.80 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 22.22 per cent of the households possess thatched house, 61.11 per cent of the households possess katcha house and 16.67 per cent of them possess semi pucca house.  The results show that 69.44 per cent of the households possess TV, 61.11 per cent of them possess mixer/grinder, 5.56 per cent of them possess bicycle, 33.33 per cent of the households possess motor cycle and 100 per cent of the households possess mobile phones.  The results show that the average value of television was Rs. 7,280, mixer grinder was Rs. 3,636, bicycle was Rs. 4,500 motor cycle was Rs. 37,016 and mobile phone was Rs. 2,391.  About 5.56 per cent of them possess plough, 5.56 per cent of them possess irrigation pump, 2.78 per cent possess tractor, 2.78 per cent of them possess sprayer, 2.78 per cent of them possess sprinkler, 8.33 per cent of them possess harvester, 2.78 per cent of them possess thresher and 47.22 per cent of them possess weeder.  The results show that the average value of plough was Rs. 2,000, irrigation pump was Rs. 55,000, tractor was Rs. 500,000, sprayer was Rs. 1,500, sprinkler was Rs. 500, harvester was Rs.72, thresher was Rs.60 and the average value of weeder was Rs.80. 2  The results indicate that, 13.89 per cent of the households possess bullocks, 13.89 per cent of the households possess local cow, 2.78 per cent possess buffalo, 2.94 per cent of the households possess sheep, 2.78 per cent of them possess goat and 2.78 per cent of them possess poultry birds.  The results indicate that, average own labour men available in the micro watershed was 2, average own labour (women) available was 1.25, average hired labour (men) available was 11.29 and average hired labour (women) available was 9.07.  The results indicate that, 77.78 per cent of the households opined that the hired labour was adequate.  The results indicate that, households of the Kinhalu-1 micro-watershed possess 13.62 ha (38.55%) of dry land and 21.17 ha (61.45%) of irrigated land. Marginal farmers possess 4.84 ha (100%) of dry land. Small farmers possess 5.54 ha (55.65%) of dry land and 4.42 ha (44.35%) of irrigated land. Semi medium farmers possess 3.24 ha (15.77%) of dry land and 17.29 ha (84.23%) of irrigated land.  The results indicate that, the average value of dry land was Rs. 594,385.03 and the average value of irrigated land was Rs. 589,301.02. In case of marginal famers, the average land value was Rs. 908,695.66 for dry land. In case of small famers, the average land value was Rs. 558,905.11 for dry land and Rs. 882,142.85 for irrigated land. In case of semi medium famers, the average land value was Rs. 185,250 for dry land and Rs. 514,462.91 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 55.88 meters.  The results indicate that small and semi medium farmers had an irrigated area of 4.42 ha and 16.23 ha respectively.  The results indicate that, farmers have grown bajra (2.32 ha), cotton (3.44 ha), maize (22.31 ha), paddy (7.56 ha), sugarcane (0.4) and sunflower (0.4 ha). Marginal farmers have grown bajra and maize while small farmers have grown bajra, cotton, paddy and maize. Semi medium farmers have grown cotton, maize, paddy, sugarcane and sunflower.  The results indicate that, the cropping intensity in Kinhalu-1 micro-watershed was found to be 83.03 per cent.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for maize was Rs. 41518.86. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 40694.61. The net income from maize cultivation was Rs. -824.25. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.98.  The total cost of cultivation for bajra was Rs. 34232.60. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 30298.67. The net income from bajra cultivation was Rs. - 3933.94. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.89. 3  The total cost of cultivation for paddy was Rs. 83699.59. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 52578.55. The net income from paddy cultivation was Rs. - 31121.04. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.63.  The total cost of cultivation for cotton was Rs. 53220.55. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 50635. The net income from cotton cultivation was Rs. - 2585.55. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.95.  The results indicate that, 16.67 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was adequate and green fodder was adequate for 27.78 per cent of the households.  The results indicate that the annual gross income was Rs. 21,000 for landless farmers, for marginal farmers it was Rs. 27,012.50, for small farmers it was Rs. 67,100 and for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 84,000.  The results indicate that the average annual expenditure is Rs. 4,054.40. For landless households it was Rs. 2,480, for marginal farmers it was Rs. 1,892.86, for small farmers it was Rs. 7,380 and for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 3,431.95.  The results indicate that, sampled households have grown 18 coconut trees and 2 mango trees in their field.  The results indicate that, households have planted 2 eucalyptus, 40 neem, 1 tamarind and 4 banyan trees in their field.  The results indicated that, households have an average investment capacity of Rs. 1,750 for land development, Rs. 250 for irrigation facility, Rs. 1,277.78 for improved crop production and Rs. 55.56 for improved livestock management.  The results indicated that loan from bank was the source of additional investment for 2.78 per cent for land development and for 2.78 per cent for improved crop production. Own funds were the source of additional investment for 38.89 per cent for land development, for 8.33 per cent for irrigation facility and for 36.11 per cent improved crop production. Soft loans were the source of funds for additional investment for 2.78 per cent for improved crop production and for 2.78 per cent for improved livestock management.  The results indicated that, all crops were sold to the extent of 100 per cent except paddy which was sold to the extent of 98.39 per cent.  The results indicated that, about 55.56 per cent of the farmers sold their produce to local/village merchants, 41.67 per cent of them sold their produce to agents/traders and 2.78 per cent of them sold their produce through regulated market.  The results indicated that, 11.11 per cent of the households used cart and 88.89 per cent of the households used tractor as a mode of transportation for their agricultural produce.  The results indicated that, 38.89 per cent of the households have experienced soil and water erosion problems in the farm.  The results indicated that, 41.67 per cent have shown interest in soil test. 4  The results indicated that, 58.33 per cent of the households used LPG as a source of fuel, 38.89 per cent of the households used firewood and 2.78 per cent of the households used dung cake as a source of fuel.  The results indicated that, piped supply was the major source of drinking water for 63.89 per cent of the households, bore well was the source of drinking water for 25 per cent and lake/tank was the major source of drinking water for 11.11 per cent of the households in micro watershed.  Electricity was the major source of light for 100 per cent of the households in micro watershed.  The results indicated that, 50 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 households did not possess PDS card.  The results indicated that, 22.22 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 83.33 per cent, oilseeds were adequate for 19.44 per cent, vegetables were adequate for 52.78 per cent, fruits were adequate for 11.11 per cent, milk was adequate for 97.22 per cent, eggs were adequate for 88.89 per cent and meat was adequate for 77.78 per cent.  The results indicated that, pulses were inadequate for 2.94 per cent of the households, oilseeds were inadequate for 94.12 per cent, vegetables were inadequate for 14.17 per cent, fruits were inadequate for 100 per cent, milk was inadequate for 5.88 per cent, eggs were inadequate for 88.24 per cent and meat was inadequate for 100 per cent of the households.  The results indicated that, oilseeds were market surplus for 5.56 per cent of the households.  The results indicated that, lower fertility status of the soil was the constraint experienced by 41.67 per cent of the households, wild animal menace on farm field (63.89%), frequent incidence of pest and diseases (52.78%), inadequacy of irrigation water (38.89%), high cost of fertilizers and plant protection chemicals (47.22%), high rate of interest on credit (30.56%), low price for the agricultural commodities (5.56%), lack of marketing facilities in the area (25%), less rainfall (44.44%) and source of agri-technology information (16.67%).