LAND RESOURCE INVENTORY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF FARM HOUSEHOLDS FOR WATERSHED PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT NACHAWAR-2 (4D5B4J1c) MICROWATERSHED Yadgir Taluk and District, Karnataka

Abstract

The land resource inventory of Nachawar-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 429 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 300 ha in the microwatershed is covered by soils, 123 ha by rock outcrops and about 5 ha by others (habitation and water bodies). The salient findings from the land resource inventory are summarized briefly below.  The soils belong to 8 soil series and 8 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 20 per cent area of the microwatershed has soils that are moderately deep to deep (75 - 150 cm) and 50 per cent soils are very shallow to moderately shallow (<25-75 cm).  About 36 per cent area in the microwatershed has sandy soils, 17 per cent has loamy soils and 17 per cent clayey soils.  About of 20 per cent area of the microwatershed has non gravelly (<15%) soils, 49 per cent has gravelly (15-35%) and 1 per cent has very gravelly (35-60%) soils.  About 7 per cent area of the microwatershed is very high (>200 mm/m) in available water capacity, 6 per cent medium (101-150 mm/m), 20 per cent area low (51-100 mm/m) and 37 per cent area very low (<50 mm/m) in available water capacity.  Entire cultivated area has very gently sloping (1-3% slope) lands of the microwatershed.  Entire cultivated area of the microwatershed is moderately (e2) eroded.  An area of about 64 per cent soils are neutral (pH 6.5-7.3) and 6 per cent are moderately acidic (pH 5.5-6.0) in soil reaction.  The Electrical Conductivity (EC) of the soils in the entire cultivated area of the microwatershed is dominantly <2 dsm-1indicating that the soils are non-saline.  An area of about 62 per cent of the microwatershed is high (>0.75%) and 8 per cent is medium (0.50-0.75%) in organic carbon content.  About 35 per cent area is low (<23kg/ha) and 35 per area is medium (23-57 kg/ha) in available phosphorus.  An area 1 per cent is low (<145 kg/ha), 63 per cent is medium (145-337 kg/ha) and 6 per cent is high (>337 kg/ha) in available potassium of the microwatershed.  Available sulphur is low (<10 ppm) in 7 per cent, medium (10-20 ppm) in 32 per cent and high (>20 ppm) in 31 per cent area of the microwatershed.  Available boron is low (<0.5 ppm) in 31 per cent and medium (0.5-1.0 ppm) in 39 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 40 per cent and sufficient in 30 per cent 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 53(12) 88(21) Guava - 56(13) Maize 56(13) 85(20) Sapota - 56(13) Bajra 56(13) 85(20) Pomegranate - 84(20) Groundnut 31(7) 46(11) Musambi 28(7) 56(13) Sunflower 28(7) 56(13) Lime 28(7) 56(13) Redgram - 84(20) Amla 56(13) 85(20) Bengal gram 28(7) - Cashew - - Cotton 28(7) 61(14) Jackfruit - 56(13) Chilli 56(13) 85(20) Jamun - 28(7) Tomato 56(13) 57(13) Custard apple 59(14) 82(19) Brinjal 56(13) 57(13) Tamarind - 28(7) Onion 56(13) 57(13) Mulberry - 56(13) Bhendi 56(13) 85(20) Marigold 56(13) 85(20) Drumstick - 84(20) Chrysanthemum 56(13) 85(20) 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 indicated that there were 104 (56.52%) men and 80 (43.48%) women among the sampled households.  The average family size of landless farmers’ was 4.2, marginal farmers’ was 5.07, small farmers’ was 5.56, semi medium farmers’ was 6.5 and medium farmers’ was 5.5.  The data indicated that, 39 (21.20%) people were in 0-15 years of age, 75 (40.76%) were in 16-35 years of age, 51 (27.72%) were in 36-60 years of age and 19 (10.33%) were above 61 years of age.  The results indicated that Nachawar-2 had 40.76 per cent illiterates, 35.87 per cent of them had primary school education, 4.35 per cent of them had middle school education, 4.35 per cent of them had high school education, 7.07 per cent of them had PUC education, 0.54 per cent of them did diploma, 1.09 per cent of them did ITI, 2.72 per cent of them had degree education and 3.26 per cent of them were doing other educations.  The results indicate that, 94.29 per cent of households were practicing agriculture, and 5.71 per cent of the households were agricultural labourers.  The results indicate that agriculture was the major occupation for 18.48 per cent of the household members, 54.35 per cent were agricultural laborers, 3.26 per cent were private service,17.39 per cent were students, 3.26 per cent were housewife and 3.26 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 5.71 per cent of the households possess thatched house, 77.14 per cent of the households possess Katcha house and 17.14 per cent of the households possess pucca/RCC house.  The results show that 54.29 per cent of the households possess TV, 8.57 per cent of the households possess Mixer grinder, 2.86 per cent of them possess refrigerator, 14.29 per cent of the households possess motor cycle, 88.57 per cent of the households possess mobile phones and 2.86 per cent of the households possess bicycle.  The results show that the average value of television was Rs. 10489, mixer grinder was Rs. 2166, refrigerator was Rs. 10000, motor cycle was Rs. 27000, mobile phone was Rs. 2212 and bicycle was Rs.2000.  About 20.0 per cent of the households possess bullock cart, 51.43 per cent of the households possess plough, 34.29 per cent of them possess seed/fertilizer drill, 37.14 per cent of them possess sprayer and 60 per cent of them possess weeder. 2  The results show that the average value of bullock cart was Rs. 15071, the average value of plough was Rs. 2,580, Seed/Fertilizer Drill was Rs. 2,516, the average value of sprayer was Rs. 2,976 and weeder was Rs. 75.  The results indicate that, 45.71 per cent of the households possess bullocks, 14.29 per cent of the households possess local cow and 2.86 per cent of the households possess goat.  The results indicate that, average own labour men available in the micro watershed was 2.11, average own labour (women) available was 1.43, average hired labour (men) available was 8.0 and average hired labour (women) available was 9.0.  The results indicate that, 100 per cent of the households opined that the hired labour was inadequate.  The results indicate that, households of the Nachawar-2 micro-watershed possess 34.31 ha (86.62%) of dry land and 5.30 ha (13.38%) of irrigated land. Marginal farmers possess 8.91 ha (95.65%) of dry land and 0.40 ha (4.35%) of irrigated land. Small farmers possess 11.63 ha (92.59 %) of dry land and 0.93 ha (7.41%) of irrigated land. Semi medium farmers possess 8.51 ha (88.26%) of dry land and 1.13 per cent (11.74%) of irrigated land. Medium farmers possess 5.26 ha (65%) of dry land and 2.83 ha (35%) of irrigated land.  The results indicate that, the average value of dry land was Rs. 294,255.72 and average value of irrigated land was Rs. 339,389.32. In case of marginal famers, the average land value was Rs. 628,441.62 for dry land and Rs. 988,000 for irrigated land. In case of small famers, the average land value was Rs. 249,321.27 for dry land and Rs. 644,347.84 for irrigated land. In case of semi medium famers, the average land value was Rs. 140,874.52 for dry land and Rs. 352,857.15 for irrigated land. In case of medium famers, the average land value was Rs. 76,000 for dry land and Rs. 141,142.86 for irrigated land.  The results indicate that, there were 4 functioning bore wells and 4 de-functioning bore well in the micro watershed.  The results indicate that, bore well was the major irrigation source in the micro watershed for 11.43 per cent of the farmers.  The results indicate that, the depth of bore well was found to be 10.45 meters.  The results indicate that, marginal farmers had irrigated area of 0.4 ha, small farmers ha irrigated area of 0.93 ha, semi medium farmers had irrigated area of 0.84 ha and medium farmers had irrigated area of 2.83 ha.  The results indicate that, farmers have grown red gram (30.97 ha) followed by paddy (4.17 ha), green gram (2.87 ha), sorghum (2.46 ha) and cotton (0.52 ha). Marginal farmers have grown redgram, paddy and cotton. Small farmers have grown redgram, paddy, greengram and sorghum and paddy. Semi medium farmers have grown redgram, greengram and sorghum. Medium farmers have grown redgram, and paddy. 3  The results indicate that, the cropping intensity in Nachawar-2 micro-watershed was found to be 80.44 per cent. In case of marginal farmers it was 100 per cent, small farmers it was 84.84 per cent, in case of semi medium farmers it was 57.38 and medium farmers it was 100 per cent.  The results indicate that, 82.86 per cent of the households have bank account and it has a saving account.  The results indicate that, 48.57 per cent of the households have availed credit from different sources.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for redgram was Rs. 34796.88. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 59797.97. The net income from redgram cultivation was Rs. 25001.08. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.72.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for greengram was Rs. 32950.61. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 50453.97. The net income from greengram cultivation was Rs. 17503.36. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.53.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for paddy was Rs. 49410.24. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 76604.31. The net income from paddy cultivation was Rs. 27194.06. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.55.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for sorghum was Rs. 21328.55. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 27438.85. The net income from sorghum cultivation was Rs. 6110.30. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.29.  The results indicate that, 31.43 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was adequate and 11.43 per cent opined that green fodder was adequate.  The results indicate that the average annual gross income was Rs. 49,000 for landless farmers, for marginal farmers it was Rs. 125,713.33, for small farmers it was Rs. 200,088.89, for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 179,325 and for medium farmers it was Rs. 228,650.  The results indicate that the average annual expenditure is Rs. 17,778.54. For landless households it was Rs. 5,080, for marginal farmers it was Rs. 7,165.86, for small farmers it was Rs. 37,290.12, for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 20,937.50 and for medium farmers it was Rs. 35,000.  The results indicate that, households have planted 14 custard apple trees, 2 coconut trees, and 2 mango trees in their field. The households have 5 guava trees and 1 coconut tree in their back yard.  The results indicate that, households have planted 36 in field and 3 in back yard of neem trees. 4  The results indicated that, households have an average investment capacity of Rs. 2,428.57 for land development, Rs. 3,714.29 for irrigation facility and Rs.142.86 for improved crop production.  The results indicated that for 2.86 per cent of households government subsidy, 2.86 per cent of households own funds and 11.43 per cent of households soft loan was the source of additional investment for land development, 8.57 per cent of the households for government subsidy and 2.86 per cent of the households for own funds have irrigation facility and 2.86 per cent of the households for own funds have improved crop production.  The results indicated that, cotton was sold to the extent of 100 per cent. Greengram was sold to the extent of 73.3 per cent, paddy was sold to the extent of 55.8 per cent, red gram was sold to the extent of 84.1 per cent and sorghum was sold to the extent of 44.4 per cent.  The results indicated that, about 97.14 per cent of the famers have sold their produce to regulated market.  The results indicated that, 91.43 per cent of the households have used tractor, 2.86 per cent of far households have used cart and 2.86 per cent of the households have flight as a mode of transportation for their agricultural produce.  The results indicated that, 8.57 per cent of the households have experienced soil and water erosion problems in the farm.  The results indicated that, 85.71 per cent have shown interest in soil test.  The results indicated that, 100 per cent of the households used firewood.  The results indicated that, piped supply was the major source of drinking water for 51.43 per cent followed by bore well was 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, 100 per cent of the households possess sanitary toilet.  The results indicated that, 97.14 per cent of the sampled household’s possessed BPL card and 2.86 per cent possessed not available.  The results indicated that, 54.29 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 80 per cent, oilseeds were adequate for 25.71 per cent, vegetables were adequate for 28.57 per cent, fruits were adequate for 34.29 per cent, milk was adequate for 20 per cent, eggs were adequate for 14.29 per cent and meat was adequate for 2.86 per cent.  The results indicated that, pulse were inadequate for 20.0 per cent, oilseeds were inadequate for 62.86 per cent, vegetables were inadequate for 62.86 per cent, fruits were inadequate for 37.14 per cent, milk was inadequate for 42.86 per cent, eggs 5 were inadequate for 88.57 per cent and meat was inadequate for 2.86 per cent of the households.  The results indicated that, lower fertility status of the soil was the constraint experienced by 82.86 per cent of the households, wild animal menace on farm field (85.71%), frequent incidence of pest and diseases (40 %), inadequacy of irrigation water (8.57%), high cost of fertilizers and plant protection chemicals (34.29%), high rate of interest on credit (11.43%), low price for the agricultural commodities (8.57 %), lack of marketing facilities in the area (20%), Inadequate extension services (17.14%) and lack of transport for safe transport of the agricultural produce to the market (31.43%).