LAND RESOURCE INVENTORY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF FARM HOUSEHOLDS FOR WATERSHED PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT BUDISETTINAHALU-1 (4D4A1S1e) MICROWATERSHED Koppal Taluk and District, Karnataka

Abstract

The land resource inventory of Budisettinahalu-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 504 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 97 per cent is covered by soils and 3 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 13 soil series and 23 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 7 per cent of the soils are moderately shallow (50-75 cm), 11 per cent of the soils are moderately deep (75-100 cm), 64 per cent area has deep (100-150 cm) and 14 per cent has very deep (>150 cm) soils.  About 19 per cent has sandy soils at the surface, 33 per cent has loamy soils at the surface and 45 per cent has clayey soils at the surface.  About 86 per cent of the area has non-gravelly (<15%) soils and 11 per cent gravelly (15-35% gravel) soils.  About 10 per cent are low (<50 mm/m), 51 per cent are very low (<50 mm/m), 1 per cent high (151-200 mm/m) and 34 per cent very high (>200 mm/m) in available water capacity.  An area of about 8 per cent has nearly level (0-1%) and 88 per cent area has very gently sloping (1-3%) lands.  An area of about 62 per cent has soils that are slightly eroded (e1) and 34 per cent moderately eroded (e2) lands.  An area of about <1 per cent are strongly acid (pH 5.0-5.5), 13 per cent are moderately acid (pH 5.5-6.0), 8 per cent are slightly acid (pH 6.0-6.5), 14 per cent are neutral (pH 6.5-7.3), 14 per cent are slightly alkaline (ph 7.3-7.8), 25 per cent are moderately alkaline (pH 7.8-8.4),19 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 34 per cent and 62 per cent are high (>0.75%).  Available phosphorus is medium (23-57 kg/ha) in 50 per cent area and high (>57 kg/ha) in 46 per cent in the microwatershed.  About 1 per cent of the soils are low (<145 kg/ha), 84 per cent of the soils are medium (145-337 kg/ha) and 11 per cent soils are high (>337 kg/ha) in available potassium content.  Available sulphur is low (<10 ppm) in about 34 per cent, medium (10-20 ppm) in 52 per cent and high (>320 ppm) in the area of about 11 per cent soils.  Available boron is low (0.5 ppm) in about 43 per cent and medium (0.5-1.0 ppm) in 54 per cent area.  Available iron is deficient (<4.5 ppm) in 1 per cent and sufficient (>4.5 ppm) in 95 per cent area of the microwatershed.  Available zinc is deficient (<0.6 ppm) in the entire area of the microwatershed.  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 30 (6) 215 (43) Sapota 16 (3) 29 (6) Maize 9 (2) 212 (42) Pomegranate 16 (3) 202 (40) Bajra 16 (3) 239 (47) Musambi 30 (6) 188 (37) Groundnut 6 (1) 221 (44) Lime 30 (6) 188 (37) Sunflower 30 (6) 178 (35) Amla 16 (3) 473 (94) Red gram 16 (3) 193 (38) Cashew 6 (1) 52 (10) Bengalgram 14 (3) 231 (46) Jackfruit 16 (3) 13 (2) Cotton 30 (6) 216 (43) Jamun 16 (3) 187 (37) Chilli 16 (3) 3 (1) Custard apple 30 (6) 458 (91) Tomato 16 (3) 43 (8) Tamarind 16 (3) 214 (42) Brinjal 3 (1) 474 (94) Mulberry 16 (3) 373 (74) Onion 3 (1) 249 (49) Marigold 16 (3) 229 (45) Bhendi 3 (1) 452 (90) Chrysanthemum 16 (3) 229 (45) Drumstick 16 (3) 395 (78) Jasmine 16 (3) 64 (13) Mango 16 (3) 116 (23) Crossandra 16 (3) 41 (8) Guava 6 (1) 22 (4)  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 SURVEY  The data indicated that there were 106 (56.68%) men and 81 (43.32%) women among the sampled households.  The average family size of landless farmers’ was 4.75, marginal farmers’ was 4.75, small farmers’ was 4.82 and semi medium farmers’ was 4.83.  The data indicated that, 31 (16.58%) people were in 0-15 years of age, 81 (43.32%) were in 16-35 years of age, 52 (27.81%) were in 36-60 years of age and 23 (21.30%) were above 61 years of age.  The results indicated that Budisettinahalu-1 had 29.41 per cent illiterates, 39.04 per cent of them had primary school education, 6.42 per cent of them had middle school education, 8.56 per cent of them had high school education, 4.88 per cent of them had PUC education, 1.60 per cent had diploma and 6.42 per cent of them had degree education.  The results indicate that, 92.31 per cent of households were practicing agriculture and 10.26 per cent of the households were agricultural labourers.  The results indicate that agriculture was the major occupation for 25.13 per cent of the household members, 47.59 per cent were agricultural laborers, 0.53 per cent were in private service, 24.60 per cent were students and 2.14 per cent were children.  The results show that 98.93 per cent of the population in the micro watershed has not participated in any local institutions and 1.07 per cent of the population participated in NGOs.  The results indicate that 17.95 per cent of the households possess thatched house, 69.23 per cent of the households possess Katcha house and 12.82 per cent of the households possess semi pucca house.  The results show that 89.74 per cent of the households possess TV, 76.92 per cent of the households possess Mixer grinder, 35.90 per cent of the households possess bicycle, 20.51 per cent of the households possess motor cycle and 89.74 per cent of the households possess mobile phones.  The results show that the average value of television was Rs.5400, mixer grinder was Rs.2126, bicycle was Rs. 3928, motor cycle was Rs.43750 and mobile phone was Rs.2822.  About 7.69 per cent of the households possess bullock cart, 25.64 per cent of the households possess plough, 5.13 per cent of them possess harvester, 10.26 per cent of them possess sprayer and 87.18 per cent of them possess weeder.  The results show that the average value of bullock cart was Rs.16000, the average value of plough was Rs.2350, the average value of sprayer was Rs.4250 and the average value of weeder was Rs.54.  The results indicate that, 20.51 per cent of the households possess bullocks and 15.38 per cent of the households possess local cow. 2  The results indicate that, average own labour men available in the micro watershed was 1.82, average own labour (women) available was 1.68, average hired labour (men) available was 8.82 and average hired labour (women) available was 12.87.  The results indicate that, 10.26 per cent of the households opined that the hired labour was adequate and 87.18 per cent of the households opined that the hired labour was inadequate.  The results indicate that, households of the Budisettinahalu-1 micro-watershed possess 31.68 ha (76.41%) of dry land and 9.78 ha (23.59%) of irrigated land. Marginal farmers possess 6.92 ha (89.07%) of dry land and 0.85 ha (10.93%) of irrigated land. Small farmers possess 19.09 ha (85.55%) of dry land and 3.23 (14.45%). Semi medium farmers possess 5.67 ha (49.82%) of dry land and 5.71 ha (50.18%) of irrigated land.  The results indicate that, the average value of dry land was Rs. 312,338.74 and average value of irrigated land was Rs. 654,033.93. In case of marginal famers, the average land value was Rs. 577,440.10 for dry land and Rs. 1,411,428.56 for irrigated land. In case of small famers, the average land value was Rs. 277,469.26 for dry land and Rs.805,771.65 for irrigated land. In case of semi medium famers, the average land value was Rs. 105,857.14 for dry land and Rs. 455,461 for irrigated land.  The results indicate that, there were 7 functioning and 6 de-functioning bore wells in the micro watershed.  The results indicate that, bore well was the major irrigation source in the micro water shed for 17.95 per cent of the farmers.  The results indicate that, the depth of bore well was found to be 13.29 meters.  The results indicate that, small and semi medium farmers had irrigated area of 3.13 ha and 4.05 ha respectively.  The results indicate that, farmers have grown maize (25.09 ha), bajra (4.5 ha), groundnut (4.05 ha), paddy (2.22 ha), redgram (1.74 ha) and cotton (0.81 ha).  Marginal farmers have grown maize, bajra, maize, groundnut and paddy. Small farmers have grown maize, bajra, groundnut, paddy and red gram. Semi medium farmers have grown maize, bajra, groundnut and cotton.  The results indicate that, the cropping intensity in Budisettinahalu-1 micro-watershed was found to be 95.96 per cent. In case of marginal farmers it was 100.16 per cent, small farmers it was 99.96 per cent and in case of semi medium farmers it was 85.19.  The results indicate that, 76.92 per cent of the households have bank account and 74.36 per cent have savings.  The results indicate that, 79.49 per cent of the households have availed credit from different sources.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for maize was Rs. 36500.56. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 35757.60. The net income from Maize cultivation was Rs. -742.97, thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.98. 3  The total cost of cultivation for Groundnut was Rs. 134487.76. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 63854.65. The net income from Groundnut cultivation was Rs. -70633.11. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.47.  The total cost of cultivation for bajra was Rs. 39912.18. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 27685.56. The net income from bajra cultivation was Rs. - 12226.62. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.69.  The total cost of cultivation for Cotton was Rs. 37736.79. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 74100. The net income from Cotton cultivation was Rs. 36363.21. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.96.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for Paddy was Rs. 65218.03. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 50129.77. The net income from Paddy cultivation was Rs. -15088.26. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.77.  The results indicate that, 5.13 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was adequate and 20.51 per cent opined that dry fodder was inadequate.  The results indicate that the average annual gross income was Rs. 55,000 for landless farmers, for marginal farmers it was Rs. 43,816.67, for small farmers it was Rs. 53,664.71 and for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 82,000.  The results indicate that the average annual expenditure is Rs. 5,601.85. For landless households it was Rs. 5,000, for marginal farmers it was Rs. 1,708.33, for small farmers it was Rs. 1,855.17 and for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 10,055.56.  The results indicate that, sampled households have grown 6 coconut and 10 mango tree in their fields.  The results indicate that, households have planted 29 neem trees, 1 tamarind trees, 1 eucalyptus and 22 teak trees in their fields.  The results indicate that, the average additional investment capacity with the households for land development was Rs. 5641.03, for improved crop production Rs.102.56 and for irrigation facility Rs. 410.26.  The results indicate that, Asset selling was the source of additional investment capacity for 2.56 per cent for land development. Government subsidy was the source of additional investment capacity for 5.13 per cent for irrigation facility. Loan from bank was the source of additional investment capacity for 5.13 per cent for land development. Own funds were the source of additional investment for 2.56 per cent for land development. Soft loan was the source of additional investment capacity for 48.72 per cent for land development, for 2.56 per cent for irrigation facility and for 2.56 per cent for improved crop production.  The results indicated that, cotton and maize were sold to the extent of 100 per cent. Bajra was sold to the extent of 74.67 per cent, groundnut was sold to the extent of 80.70 per cent and paddy was sold to the extent of 59.70 per cent.  The results indicated that, about 79.49 per cent of the famers have sold their produce in regulated markets and 12.82 per cent have sold their produce to agents/traders. 4  The results indicated that, 87.18 per cent of the households have used tractor as a mode of transportation for their agricultural produce and 5.13 per cent have used cart as a mode of transport for their agricultural produce.  The results indicated that, 5.13 per cent of the farmers have experienced soil and water erosion problems in their farm.  The results indicated that, 76.92 per cent have shown interest in soil test i.e 83.33 per cent of marginal, 88.24 per cent of small and 83.33 per cent of semi medium farmers.  The results indicated that, 92.31 per cent of the households used firewood and 7.69 per cent used LPG as a source of fuel.  The results indicated that, bore well was the major source of drinking water for 71.79 per cent of the households and piped supply was the source of drinking water for 28.21 per cent of the households in the micro watershed.  Electricity was the major source of light for 100 per cent of the households in micro watershed.  The results indicated that, 33.33 per cent of the households possess sanitary toilet i.e. 16.67 per cent of the marginal farmers, 5.88 per cent of the small farmers, 100 per cent of the semi medium and landless farmers.  The results indicated that, 100 per cent of the sampled households possessed BPL card.  The results indicated that, 30.77 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 82.05 per cent, oilseeds were adequate for 48.72 per cent, vegetables were adequate for 48.72 per cent, fruits were adequate for 46.15 per cent, milk was adequate for 41.03 per cent, eggs were adequate for 61.54 per cent and meat was adequate for 7.69 per cent.  The results indicated that, pulses were inadequate for 20.51 per cent of the households, oilseeds were inadequate for 48.72 per cent, vegetables were inadequate for 46.15 per cent, fruits were inadequate for 15.38 per cent, milk was inadequate for 17.95 per cent and eggs were inadequate for 30.77 per cent of the households.  The results indicated that, lower fertility status of the soil was the constraint experienced by 82.05 per cent of the households, wild animal menace on farm field (89.74%), frequent incidence of pest and diseases (53.85%), inadequacy of irrigation water (12.82%), high cost of fertilizers and plant protection chemicals (41.03%), high rate of interest on credit (10.26%), low price for the agricultural commodities (17.95%), lack of marketing facilities in the area (20.51%), lack of transport for safe transport of the agricultural produce to the market (41.03%), inadequate extension services (2.56%), less rainfall (58.97%) and source of agri-technology information (28.21%).