LAND RESOURCE INVENTORY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF FARM HOUSEHOLDS FOR WATERSHED PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT KHANAPUR HOSALLI-1 (4D5B1A1b) MICROWATERSHED Yadgir Taluk and District, Karnataka

Abstract

The land resource inventory of Khanapur Hosalli-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 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 433 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 337 ha in the microwatershed is covered by soils, 69 ha by rock outcrops and about 27 ha by others (habitation and water bodies). The salient findings from the land resource inventory are summarized briefly below.  The soils belong to 10 soil series and 15 soil phases (management units) and 5 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 38 per cent area of the microwatershed has soils that are moderately deep to very deep (75 - >150 cm) and 39 per cent soils are shallow to moderately shallow (25-75 cm).  About less than 1 per cent area in the microwatershed has sandy soils, 29 per cent has loamy soils and 49 per cent clayey soils.  About of 68 per cent area of the microwatershed has non gravelly (<15%) soils and 10 per cent has gravelly (15-35%) soils.  About 23 per cent area of the microwatershed is very high (>200 mm/m) in available water capacity, 3 per cent medium (101-150 mm/m), 38 per cent area low (51-100 mm/m) and 14 per cent area very low (<50 mm/m) in available water capacity.  An area of 77 per cent has very gently sloping (1-3% slope) lands and less than 1 per cent has gently sloping (3-5% slope) lands in the microwatershed.  An area of about less than 1 per cent is severely (e3) eroded and 78 per cent area is moderately (e2) eroded.  Entire cultivated area has neutral (pH 6.5-7.3) soils in the microwatershed.  The Electrical Conductivity (EC) of the soils in the entire cultivated area of the microwatershed is <2 dsm-1indicating that the soils are non-saline.  An area of about 13 per cent of the microwatershed is high (>0.75%) and 65 per cent is medium (0.50-0.75%) in organic carbon content.  About 21 per cent area is low (<23kg/ha), 53 per area is medium (23-57 kg/ha) and 3 per cent is high (> 57 kg/ha) in available phosphorus.  An area 1 per cent is high (>337 kg/ha) and 77 per cent is medium (145-337 kg/ha) in available potassium in the microwatershed.  Available sulphur is low (<10 ppm) in 43 per cent, medium (10-20 ppm) in 34 per cent and high (>20 ppm) in 1 per cent of the microwatershed.  Available boron is low (<0.5 ppm) in 65 per cent and medium (0.5-1.0 ppm) in 13 per cent area of the microwatershed.  Available iron is sufficient (>4.5 ppm) in the entire cultivated area of the microwatershed.  Available manganese and copper are sufficient in the entire cultivated area of the microwatershed.  Available zinc is deficient (<0.6 ppm) in the entire cultivated 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 - 223(52) Guava - 55(13) Maize 55(13) 168(39) Sapota - 55(13) Bajra 55(13) 168(39) Pomegranate - 70(16) Groundnut 55(13) 111(26) Musambi - 70(16) Sunflower - 70(16) Lime - 70(16) Redgram - 112(26) Amla 55(13) 111(26) Bengal gram - 15(3) Cashew - 55(13) Cotton - 15(3) Jackfruit - 55(13) Chilli 55(13) 126(29) Jamun - - Tomato 55(13) 111(26) Custard apple 55(13) 126(29) Brinjal 55(13) 111(26) Tamarind - - Onion 55(13) 111(26) Mulberry - 55(13) Bhendi 55(13) 126(29) Marigold 55(13) 126(29) Drumstick - 55(13) Chrysanthemum 55(13) 126(29) 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 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 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 sub marginal 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 35 farmers were sampled in Kanakpura Hosalli-1 micro-watershed among them 6 (17.14 %) were landless, 15 (42.86 %) were marginal farmers, 10 (28.57 %) were small farmers, 2 (5.71 %) were semi medium farmers and 2 (5.71 %) were medium farmers.  The data indicated that there were 108 (59.02 %) men and 75 (40.98 %) women among the sampled households. The average family size of landless farmers’ was 4.66, marginal farmers’ was 5.2, small farmers’ was 5.1, semi medium farmers’ was 6.5 and medium farmers’ was 6.5  The data indicated that, 43 (23.50 %) people were in 0-15 years of age, 74 (40.44 %) were in 16-35 years of age, 48 (26.23 %) were in 36-60 years of age and 18 (9.84 %) were above 61 years of age.  The results indicated that Kanakpura Hosalli-1 had 55.19 per cent illiterates, 25.68 per cent of them had primary school, 3.83 per cent of them had middle school, 6.56 per cent of them had high school education, 1.64 per cent of them had PUC, 1.09 per cent of them had ITI and 3.83 per cent of them had Degree education.  The results indicate that, 91.43 per cent of household heads were practicing agriculture and 8.57 per cent of the household heads were agricultural labourers.  The results indicate that agriculture was the major occupation for 19.13 per cent of the household members, 56.28 per cent were agricultural labourers, 1.09 per cent were in general labour, 0.55 per cent were Government Service and private service, 20.77 per cent were Student and 0.55 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 20 per cent of the households possess Thatched house and 80 per cent of the households possess Katcha house.  The results show that 77.14 per cent of the households possess TV, 8.57 per cent of the households possess mixer/grinder, 2.86 per cent of the households possess bicycle, 2.86 per cent of the households possess Auto, Car/Four Wheeler and Landline Phone, 14.29 per cent of the households possess motor cycle and 77.14 per cent of the households possess mobile phones.  The results show that the average value of television was Rs. 6,185, mixer/grinder was Rs. 1,266, Bicycle was Rs. 1,000, motor cycle was Rs. 43,000, Auto was Rs. 100,000, Car/Four Wheeler was Rs. 200,000, Landline Phone was Rs. 1,000 and mobile phone was Rs. 2,061.  About 8.57 per cent of the households possess Bullock Cart and plough and 17.14 per cent of them possess weeder. 2  The results show that the average value of bullock cart was Rs. 20,000, plough was Rs. 2,000 and the average value of weeder was Rs. 126.  The results indicate that, 11.43 per cent of the households possess bullocks and 8.57 per cent of the households possess local cow.  The results indicate that, average own labour men available in the micro watershed was 1.86, average own labour (women) available was 1.57, average hired labour (men) available was 7.31 and average hired labour (women) available was 8.23.  In case of marginal farmers, average own labour men available was 2, average own labour (women) was 2.07, average hired labour (men) was 7.27 and average hired labour (women) available was 8. In case of small farmers, average own labour men available was 2.30, average own labour (women) was 1.40, average hired labour (men) was 8 and average hired labour (women) available was 10.10. In case of semi medium farmers, average own labour men available was 3.50, average own labour (women) was 3, average hired labour (men) was 10 and average hired labour (women) available was 10. In case of medium farmers, average own labour men available was 1.50 and average own labour (women) was 1, average hired labour (men) was 22.50 and average hired labour (women) available was 22.50.  The results indicate that, 2.86 per cent of the households opined that the hired labour was adequate and 97.14 per cent of the households opined that the hired labour was Inadequate.  The results indicate that, households of the Kanakpura Hosalli-1 micro-watershed possess 23.08 ha (69.36 %) of dry land, 10.14 ha (30.47 %) of irrigated land and 0.06 ha (0.17 %) of Permanent Fallow land. Marginal farmers possess 10.46 ha (94.97 %) of dry land and 0.55 ha (5.03 %) of irrigated land. Small farmers possess 11.13 ha (88.89 %) of dry land and 1.39 ha (11.11 %) of irrigated land. Semi medium farmers possess 2.93 ha (100 %) of irrigated land. Medium farmers possess 1.48 ha (21.79 %) of dry land and 5.26 ha (77.38 %) of irrigated land and 0.06 ha (0.83 %) of Permanent Fallow land.  The results indicate that, the average value of dry land was Rs. 376,867.77, the average value of irrigated land was Rs. 414,131.74 and the average value of Permanent Fallow land was Rs. 3,528,571.41. In case of marginal famers, the average land value was Rs. 458,646.04 for dry land and the average land value was Rs. 2,343,795.61 for Irrigated land. In case of small famers, the average land value was Rs. 278,335.15 for dry land and Rs. 646,220.92 for irrigated land. In case of semi medium famers, the average land value was Rs. 341,160.23 for irrigated land. In case of medium farmers, the average land value was Rs. 539,890.72 for dry land, Rs. 190,000 for irrigated land and the average value of Permanent Fallow land was Rs. 3,528,571.41. 3  The results indicate that, there were 8 De-functioning and 8 functioning bore wells in the micro watershed.  The results indicate that, bore well was the major irrigation source in the micro water shed for 22.86 per cent of the farmers and Canal was the irrigation source in the micro water shed for 2.86 per cent of the farmers.  The results indicate that, the depth of bore well was found to be 9.75 meters and the depth of Canal was found to be 0.87 meters.  The results indicate that, small, semi medium farmers and medium had an irrigated area of 2.59 ha, 2.93ha and 5.26 ha respectively.  The results indicate that, farmers have grown Bajra (1.23 ha), green gram (4.45 ha), Groundnut (3.94 ha), Onion (4.45 ha), Sorghum (4.05 ha), Paddy (1.71 ha) and red gram (15.14 ha). Marginal farmers have grown groundnut and green gram. Small farmers have grown Bajra, Green gram, Groundnut, Onion red gram, green gram and Sorghum. Semi medium farmers have grown paddy and Groundnut. Medium farmers have grown Groundnut, Onion red gram and green gram.  The results indicate that, the cropping intensity in Kanakpura Hosalli-1 microwatershed was found to be 83.05 per cent.  The results indicate that, 80 per cent of the households have bank account and savings.  The results indicate that, 80 per cent of the households have availed credit from different sources.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for green gram was Rs. 21844.66. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 28096.25. The net income from green gram cultivation was Rs. 6251.59. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1: 1.29.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for Red gram was Rs. 38339.32. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 58914.94. The net income from Red gram cultivation was Rs. 20575.63. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1: 1.54.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for Paddy was Rs. 37054.95. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 18729.86. The net income from Paddy cultivation was Rs. -18325.09. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1: 0.51.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for Sorghum was Rs. 47249.08. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 24420.07. The net income from Sorghum cultivation was Rs. -22829.02. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1: 0.52.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for Bajra was Rs. 19987.50. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 19987.50. The net income from 4 Bajra cultivation was Rs. -2408.92. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1: 0.89.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for Onion was Rs. 144060.17. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 183397.50. The net income from Onion cultivation was Rs. 39337.33. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1: 1.27.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for Groundnut was Rs. 59439.76. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 67300.34. The net income from Groundnut cultivation was Rs. 7860.58. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1: 1.13.  The results indicate that, 54.29 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was adequate and 17.14 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was inadequate.  The results indicate that the annual gross income was Rs. 60,666.67 for land less, for marginal farmers it was Rs. 104,060, for small farmers it was Rs. 125,610, semi medium farmers it was Rs. 132,700 and medium farmers it was Rs. 105,000.  The results indicate that the average annual expenditure is Rs. 8,012.86. For landless it was Rs.12,291.67, marginal farmers it was Rs. 2,573.33, for small farmers it was Rs. 5,110, for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 34,500 and medium farmers it was Rs. 24,000.  The results indicate that, households have planted 2 Pomegranate and 5 Mango trees in their field and 1 coconut tree in their backyard..  The results indicate that, households have planted 9 Teak, 73 Neem, 1 Acacia, 1 Banyan and 1 tamarind trees in their field.  The results indicated that, households have an average investment capacity of Rs. 1,371.43 for land development, average investment capacity of Rs. 1,428.57 for Irrigation facility and average investment capacity of Rs. 114.29 for Improved crop production.  The results indicated that, Onion, Paddy, Red gram and Green gram was sold to the extent of 100 per cent, Bajra was sold to the extent of 94.44 per cent, Sorghum was sold to the extent of 97.44 per cent and Groundnut was sold to the extent of 96.88 per cent.  The results indicated that, about 28.57 per cent of the farmers sold their produce to local/village merchants and 62.86 per cent of the farmers sold their produce to Regulated Market.  The results indicated that, 91.43 per cent of the households have used tractor as a mode of transportation.  The results indicated that, 82.86 per cent of the households have experienced soil and water erosion problems in the farm.  The results indicated that, 80 per cent have shown interest in soil test. 5  The results indicated that, 94.29 per cent of the households used firewood as a source of fuel and 5.71 per cent of the households used LPG as a source of fuel.  The results indicated that, piped supply and bore well were the major source of drinking water for 48.57 per cent of the households in the micro watershed.  The results indicated that, Electricity was the major source of light for 100 per cent of the households in micro watershed.  The results indicated that, 48.57 per cent of the households possess sanitary toilet facility.  The results indicated that, 100 per cent of the sampled households possessed BPL cards.  The results indicated that, 88.57 per cent of the households participated in NREGA programme.  The results indicated that, cereals were adequate for 97.14 per cent of the households, Pulses were adequate for 88.57 per cent of the households, Oilseed were adequate for 5.71 per cent of the households, Vegetables were adequate for 11.43 per cent, Egg were adequate for 17.14 per cent, Fruits were adequate for 25.71 per cent, Milk was adequate for 20 per cent and Meat were adequate for 2.86 per cent.  The results indicated that, Cereals were inadequate for 5.71 per cent, Pulses were inadequate for 8.57 per cent, oilseeds were inadequate for 94.29 per cent, vegetables were inadequate for 80 per cent, fruits and Milk were inadequate for 68.57 per cent, Egg were inadequate for 80 per cent of the households and Meat was inadequate for 94.29 per cent of the households.  The results indicated that, lower fertility status of the soil was 85.71 the constraint experienced by 88.57 per cent of the households, Frequent incidence of pest and diseases were the constraint experienced by 45.71 per cent of the households, Wild animal menace on farm field (77.14 %), High cost of Fertilizers and plant protection chemicals (22.86 %), Lack of marketing facilities in the area and Low price for the agricultural commodities (5.71 %), High rate of interest on credit (80 %), Inadequacy of irrigation water (20 %), Inadequate extension services (14.29 %), Lack of transport for safe transport of the Agril produce to the market (20 %), Less Rainfall (34.29 %) and Source of Agri-technology information (Newspaper/TV/Mobile) (31.43 %).