LAND RESOURCE INVENTORY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF FARM HOUSEHOLDS FOR WATERSHED PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT JABBALGUDDA-2 (4D3A9I1c) MICRO WATERSHED Irakallagada Hobli, Koppal Taluk and District, Karnataka

Abstract

The land resource inventory of Jabbalgudda-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 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 521 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 99 per cent is covered by soils and 1 per cent by others. The salient findings from the land resource inventory are summarized briefly below.  The soils belong to 10 soil series and 11 soil phases (management units) and 5 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 6 per cent of the soils are shallow (25-50 cm), 5 per cent of the soils are moderately shallow (50-75 cm), <1 per cent of the soils are moderately deep (75-100 cm), 5 per cent soils are deep (100-150 cm) and 9 per cent area has very deep (>150 cm) soils.  Entire area of about 12 per cent area has loamy soils and 17 per cent area has clayey soils at the surface at the surface.  About 17 per cent of the area has non-gravelly (<15%) soils and 12 per cent gravelly (15-35 % gravel) soils.  About 10 per cent are very low (<50 mm/m), 5 per cent low (51-100 mm/m), 0.05 per cent medium (101-150 mm/m), 4 per cent high (151-200 mm/m) and 9 per cent very high (>200 mm/m) in available water capacity.  An area of about 3 per cent has nearly level sloping (0-1%) and 26 per cent has very gently sloping (1-3%) lands.  An area of about 14 per cent has soils that are slightly eroded (e1) and 15 per cent moderately eroded (e2) lands.  An area of about 3 per cent are slightly acid (pH 6.0-6.5), 15 per cent are neutral (pH 6.5-7.3), 10 per cent are slightly alkaline (pH 7.3-7.8) and 1 per cent moderately alkaline (pH 7.8-8.4) 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 about 24 per cent and high (>0.75%) in about 5 per cent of the soils.  Available phosphorus is medium (23-57 kg/ha) in about 18 per cent and 11 per cent is high (>57 kg/ha) in the microwatershed.  About 10 per cent of the soils are medium (145-337 kg/ha) and 19 per cent are high (>337 kg/ha) in available potassium content.  Available sulphur is low (<10 ppm) in 29 per cent and <1 per cent are medium (10- 20 ppm) in the microwatershed.  Available boron is low (0.5 ppm) in entire area of about 29 per cent area in soils.  Available iron is deficient (<4.5 ppm) in entire area of about 29 per cent.  Available zinc is deficient (<0.6 ppm) in entire area of about 29 per cent.  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 42 (8) 55 (11) Sapota 21 (4) 0.28 (<1) Maize - 97 (19) Pomegranate 21 (4) 49 (9) Bajra - 76 (15) Musambi 42 (8) 28 (5) Groundnut 21 (4) 27 (5) Lime 42 (8) 28 (5) Sunflower 42 (8) 28 (5) Amla 37 (7) 60 (12) Red gram 21 (4) 49 (9) Cashew 21 (4) 53 (5) Bengalgram 29 (6) 68 (13) Jackfruit 21 (4) 0.28 (<1) Cotton 42 (8) 55 (11) Jamun 21 (4) 49 (9) Chilli 21 (4) 43 (8) Custard apple 42 (8) 55 (11) Tomato 21 (4) 43 (8) Tamarind 21 (4) 49 (9) Brinjal - 97 (19) Mulberry 21 (4) 33 (6) Onion - 63 (11) Marigold 21 (4) 76 (15) Bhendi - 97 (19) Chrysanthemum 21 (4) 76 (15) Drumstick 21 (4) 49 (9) Jasmine 21 (4) 27 (5) Mango 21 (4) 20 (4) Crossandra 21 (4) 27 (5) Guava 21 (4) 0.28 (<1)  Apart from the individual crop suitability, a proposed crop plan has been prepared for the 5 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 STUDY  Results indicated that 35 farmers were sampled in Jabbalgudda-2 micro-watershed among them 8(22.86%) were marginal farmers, 7 (20%) were small farmers, 12 (34.29%) were semi medium farmers, 3 (8.57 %) were medium farmers and 5 (14.29 %) landless farmers were also interviewed for the survey.  The data indicated that there were 164 population households were there in the studied micro watershed. Among them 95 (57.93%) men and 69 (42.07%) were women. The average family size of landless was 3, marginal farmers were 4, small and semi medium farmer was 5 and medium farmers were 9.  The data indicated that 21(12.80%) people were in 0-15 years of age, 79 (48.17 %) were in 16-35 years of age, 54 (32.93 %) were in 36-60 years of age and 10 (6.10%) were above 61 years of age.  The results indicated that the Jabbalgudda-2 had 31.10 per cent illiterates, 31.71 per cent of them had primary school education, 4.27 per cent of them had both middle schools, 14.63 per cent of them had high school education, 7.93 per cent of them had PUC education, 0.61 per cent them had ITI and diploma education and 4.88 per cent them had degree education.  The results indicated that, 80 per cent of households practicing agriculture, 2.86 per cent of the household heads were agricultural labour and in private service respectively. 14.29 per cent of the household heads were general labour.  The results indicated that agriculture was the major occupation for 61.59 per cent of the household members, 3.05 per cent were agricultural labourers, 10.37 per cent were general labours, 2.44 per cent of them were in private sector, 13.41 per cent of them were students and 4.27 per cent of them were children.  In case of landless households 100 per cent were general labourers. In case of marginal farmers 70.97 per cent were agriculturist, 16.13 per cent were students and 3.23 per cent were general labour and in private service. In case of small farmers 81.82 per cent of them were agriculturist, 6.06 per cent were in agricultural labour and 12.12 per cent of them were students. In case of semi medium farmers 72.41 per cent of the family members were agriculturist, 3.45 per cent were agriculture labour, 5.71 per cent were in private service and 10.34 per cent of them were students. In case of medium farmers 38.46 per cent of the family members were agriculturist, 3.85 per cent of them were agricultural labour, 26.92 per cent of them were student, 11.54 per cent of them were housewives and 3.85 per cent of them were children.  The results showed that 100 per cent of population have not participated in any local institutions.  The results indicated that 91.43 per cent of the households possess Katcha house and 8.57 per cent of them possess Thatched house.  The results showed that, 48.57 per cent of the households possess TV, 17.14 per cent of the households possess Mixer grinder, 28.57 per cent of the households possess 2 bicycle, 22.86 per cent of the households possess motor cycle, and 85.71 per cent of the households possess mobile phones.  The results showed that the average value of television was Rs. 9000, mixer grinder was Rs.2000, bicycle was Rs.2100, motor cycle was Rs.27375 and mobile phone was Rs.2350.  Data indicated that, 2.86 per cent of the households possess both tractor and sprayer respectively. 34.29 per cent of the households possess weeder.  The results showed that, average value of tractor was Rs. 400000, the average value of sprayer was Rs. 1000 and the average value of weeder was Rs. 93.  The results indicated that, 2.86 per cent of the households possess both bullocks and buffalo and 14.29 per cent of the households possess local cow. In case of semi medium farmers, 8.33 per cent of the households possess bullock, and buffalo correspondingly and 33.33 per cent of the households possess local cow. In medium farmers 33.33 per cent of the households possess local cow.  The results indicated that, average own labour men available in the micro watershed was 1.77, average own labour (women) available was 1.40, average hired labour (men) available was 7.47and average hired labour (women) available was 6.13.  In case of marginal farmers, average own labour men available was 1.38, average own labour (women) was also 1, average hired labour (men) was 6.13 and average hired labour (women) available was 4.88. In case of small farmers, average own labour men available was 1.71, average own labour (women) was 1.57, average hired labour (men) was 8.14 and average hired labour (women) available was 6.71. In case of semi medium farmers, average own labour men available was 2, average own labour (women) was 1.42, average hired labour (men) was 8.08 and average hired labour (women) available was 6.42. In medium farmers average own labour men available was 2, average own labour (women) was 2, average hired labour (men) was 7 and average hired labour (women) available was 7.  The results indicated that, 85.71 per cent of the household opined that hired labour was adequate.  The results indicated that, households of the Jabbalgudda-2 micro-watershed possess 19.62 ha (46.98 %) of dry land and 22.14 ha (53.02%) of irrigated land. Marginal farmers possess 5.46 ha (100 %) of dry land. Small farmers possess 8.90 ha (90.61 %) of dry land and 0.92 ha (9.39 %) of irrigated land. Semi medium farmers possess 5.26 ha (26.85 %) of dry land and 14.33 ha (73.15 %) of irrigated land. Medium farmers possess 6.88 ha (100%) of irrigated land.  The results indicated that, the average value of dry land was Rs. 346,523.62 and average value of irrigated was Rs. 415,429.62. In case of marginal famers, the average land value was Rs. 568,026.71 for dry land. In case of small famers, the average land value was Rs. 269,577.08 for dry land Rs. 650,000.01 for irrigated land. In case of semi medium famers, the average land value was Rs. 247,000 for dry land 3 and Rs. 460,248.45 for irrigated land. In case of medium famers, the average land value was Rs. 290,588.24 for irrigated land.  The results indicated that, there were 14 functioning bore wells in the micro watershed.  The results indicated that, bore well was the major irrigation source for 40 per cent of the farmers.  The results indicated that on an average the depth of the bore well was 38.32 meters.  The results indicated that, in case of small farmers there was 0.92 ha of irrigated land, in semi medium farmers there was 14.34 ha irrigated land and in medium farmers there was 4.86 per cent of the irrigated land.  The results indicated that, farmers have grown maize (21.29 ha), paddy (12.13 ha), groundnut (2.02 ha), bajra (1.70 ha) and navane (1.21 ha). Marginal farmers have grown maize, groundnut and bajra. Small farmers had grown maize, paddy, bajra and navane. Semi medium farmers had grown maize, paddy and groundnut. Medium farmers had grown maize and paddy.  The results indicated that, the cropping intensity in Jabbalgudda-2 micro-watershed was found to be 99.92 per cent. In case of marginal farmers it was 99.41 per cent, in small, semi medium farmers and medium farmers it was 100 per cent.  The results indicated that, 68.57 per cent of the households have bank account and 28.57 per cent of the households have savings.  The results indicated that, 25 per cent of marginal, 63.16 per cent of small, 42.86 per cent of the small, 33.33 per cent of the semi medium and medium farmers have borrowed credit from different sources respectively.  The results indicated that, 40 per cent of the households have availed loan from commercial bank, 10 per cent of the households have availed loan from friends/ relatives and 50 per cent have availed loan from Grameena bank.  The results indicated that, marginal, small, semi medium and medium farmers have availed Rs.57500, Rs. 126666.67, Rs. 212500 and Rs. 10000 respectively. Overall average credit amount availed by households in the micro watershed is 135500.  The results indicated that, 100 per cent of the institutional credit was borrowed for agriculture production.  The results indicated that, 100 percent of private credit was taken for agriculture production.  Results indicated that 100 per cent of the households have unpaid their institutional credit.  Results indicated that 100 percent of the households have unpaid their private loan.  Results indicated that 100 per cent of the farmers opined that the credit, which was taken from various institutes was helped them to perform timely agricultural operations. 4  Results indicated that 100 per cent of the farmers opined that the credit, which was taken from private credit helped them to perform timely agricultural operations.  The results indicated that, the total cost of cultivation for bajra was Rs. 31144.38. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 26243.75. The net income from bajra cultivation was Rs. -4900.63, thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.84.  The results indicated that, the total cost of cultivation for maize was Rs. 35993.38. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 42562.86. The net income from maize cultivation was Rs. 6569.47. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.18.  The results indicated that, the total cost of cultivation for paddy was Rs. 120050.47. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 97734.16. The net income from paddy cultivation was Rs. -22316.31. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.81.  The results indicated that, the total cost of cultivation for groundnut was Rs. 43776.50. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 47823.32. The net income from groundnut cultivation was Rs. 4046.81. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.09.  The results indicated that, the total cost of cultivation for Navane+redgram was Rs. 23835.19. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 33641.40. The net income from Navane+redgram cultivation was Rs. 9806.21. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.41.  The results indicated that, 8.57 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder and green fodder were adequate respectively.  The table indicated that, in landless farmers, the average income from wage was Rs. 94000. In marginal farmers the average income from service/salary was Rs. 8750, wage was Rs.45000 and agriculture was Rs.65318.75. In small farmers the average income from wage was Rs.30000 and agriculture was Rs.130714.29. In semi medium farmers, the average income from service/salary was Rs. 17,500, wage was Rs. 13,333.33 and agriculture was Rs. 192,916.67. In case of medium farmers the average income from wage was Rs.26666.67 and agriculture was Rs.333333.33.  The results indicated that, in case of landless farmers, the annual average expenditure from wage was Rs. 64400. In marginal farmers the annual average expenditure from service/salary was Rs. 45000, wage was Rs. 33833.33 and agriculture was Rs.34250. In small farmers, the annual average expenditure from wage was Rs. 52000 and agriculture was Rs.64142.86. In semi medium farmers, the annual average expenditure from service/salary was Rs. 51666.67, wage was Rs. 18500 and agriculture was Rs.109583.33. In case of medium farmers, the annual average expenditure from wage was Rs. 65000 and agriculture was Rs.183333.33.  The results indicated that, sampled households have grown 19 coconut trees and 3 mango trees in their field and also planted 6 coconut trees in their backyard. 5  The results indicated that, households have planted 2 teak trees, 62 neem trees, 2 tamarind tress, 3 acacia trees and 2 banyan trees in their field and also grown 1 Neem tree in the backyard.  The results indicated that, households have an average investment capacity of Rs.2285.71 for improved livestock management. Semi medium farmers have an average investment capacity of Rs.6666.67 for improved livestock management.  The results indicated that for 2.86 per cent of the households were dependent on government subsidy for improved livestock management.  The results indicated that, maize crops were sold to the extent of 100 per cent. Bajra, Groundnut, navane and paddy were sold to an extent of 55 per cent, 80 per cent, 25 per cent and 75 per cent respectively.  The results indicated that, 45.71 percent of the households have sold their produce local/village merchant and 42.86 percent of the households sold their produce in regulated markets.  The results indicated that 8.57 per cent of the households have used cart as a mode of transport and 80 per cent have used tractor.  The results indicated that, 40 per cent of the households have experienced the soil and water erosion problems i.e. 37.50 percent of marginal farmers, 57.14 per cent of small farmers, 50 per cent of semi medium farmers and 33.33 per cent of medium farmers.  The results indicated that, 80 per cent of the households have shown interest in soil testing.  The results indicated that, 88.57 percent used fire wood as a source of fuel and 11.43 percent of the households used LPG as a source of fuel.  The results indicated that, piped supply was the source of drinking water for 20 per cent, 71.43 per cent of them were using bore well and 8.57 per cent of the households were using lake/tank for drinking water.  The results indicated that, electricity was the major source of light for 100 per cent of the households.  The results indicated that, 20 per cent of the households possess sanitary toilet i.e. 20 per cent of landless, 12.50 per cent of marginal, 14.29 per cent of the small, 33.33 per cent of the semi medium farmers and 25 per cent of the medium farmers had sanitary toilet facility.  The results indicated that, 100 per cent of the sampled households possessed BPL card.  The results indicated that, 51.43 per cent of the households participated in NREGA programme which included 100 per cent of the landless, 50 per cent of the marginal and semi medium farmers, 14.29 per cent of the small farmers and 66.67 per cent of the medium farmers. 6  The results indicated that cereals and pulses were adequate for 100 per cent of the households; milk and egg were adequate for 97.14 per cent of the households respectively. Oil seed, vegetables and meat were adequate for 2.86 per cent, 11.43 per cent and 17.14 per cent of the households respectively.  The results indicated that, oilseed, vegetables, fruits and meat were inadequate for 97.14 per cent, 88.57 per cent, 100 per cent and 82.86 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 and frequent incidence of pest and diseases were experienced by (77.14%), inadequacy of irrigation water (65.71%), high cost of Fertilizers and plant protection chemicals and high rate of interest on credit problems were experienced by (62.86%), low price for the agricultural commodities (74.29%), lack of marketing facilities in the area (77.14%), inadequate extension services and lack of transport for safe transport of the agricultural produce to the market were experienced by (82.86%) and Source of Agri-technology information(Newspaper/TV/Mobile) (2.86 %) of the households.