LAND RESOURCE INVENTORY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF FARM HOUSEHOLDS FOR WATERSHED PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT MATTUR (4D4A2Q4e) MICRO WATERSHED Alavandi Hobli, Koppal Taluk and District, Karnataka

Abstract

The land resource inventory of Mattur 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 448 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 76 per cent is covered by soils and 24 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 11 soil series and 14 soil phases (management units) and 8 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 <1 per cent of the soils are shallow (50-75 cm), 41 per cent of the soils are moderately shallow (50-75 cm), 12 per cent of the soils are moderately deep (75-100 cm) and 23 per cent area has deep (100-150 cm) soils.  Entire area of about 76 per cent has clayey soils at the surface.  About 31 per cent of the area has non-gravelly (<15%) soils, 44 per cent gravelly (15-35% gravel) and 1 per cent has very gravelly (35-60%) soils.  About 10 per cent are very low (<50 mm/m), 38 per cent low (51-100 mm/m), 4 per cent medium (101-150 mm/m) and 23 per cent very high (>200 mm/m) in available water capacity.  Entire area of about 6 per cent has nearly level (0-1%) and 70 per cent area has very gently sloping (1-3%) lands.  An area of about 43 per cent has soils that are slightly eroded (e1) and 33 per cent moderately eroded (e2) lands.  An area of about 6 per cent are moderately alkaline (pH pH 7.8-8.4), 43 per cent are strongly alkaline (pH 8.4-9.0) and 28 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 high (>0.75%) in entire area of the soils.  Available phosphorus is medium (23-57 kg/ha) in entire area of about 76 per cent in the microwatershed.  About 54 per cent of the soils are medium (145-337 kg/ha) and 22 per cent soils are high (>337 kg/ha) in available potassium content.  Available sulphur is low (<10 ppm) in about 73 per cent and medium (10-20 ppm) in about 3 per cent soils.  Available boron is low (0.5 ppm) in about 31 per cent area and 45 per cent are medium (0.5-1.0 ppm).  Available iron is deficient (<4.5 ppm) in the entire area of about 84 per cent.  Available zinc is deficient (<0.6 ppm) in 72 per cent and sufficient (>0.6 ppm) in about 4 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 1 (<1) 287 (64) Sapota - 34 (8) Maize - 289 (65) Pomegranate - 153 (34) Bajra 1 (<1) 335 (75) Musambi - 153 (34) Groundnut - 43 (10) Lime - 153 (34) Sunflower - 148 (33) Amla 1 (<1) 337 (75) Red gram - 130 (29) Cashew - 6 (1) Bengalgram - 330 (74) Jackfruit - 6 (1) Cotton - 288 (65) Jamun - 107 (24) Chilli 1 (<1) 35 (8) Custard apple 1 (<1) 337 (75) Tomato 1 (<1) 63 (14) Tamarind - 101 (23) Brinjal 1 (<1) 290 (65) Mulberry - 128 (29) Onion - 38 (9) Marigold - 289 (65) Bhendi - 291 (65) Chrysanthemum - 289 (65) Drumstick - 150 (34) Jasmine - 141 (32) Mango - 101 (23) Crossandra - 54 (12) Guava - 6 (1)  Apart from the individual crop suitability, a proposed crop plan has been prepared for the 8 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 (52.74%) men and 95 (47.26%) women among the sampled households.  The average family size of landless farmers’ was 3.50, marginal farmers’ was 4.83, small farmers’ was 5, semi medium farmers’ was 6.38 and medium farmers’ was 6.  The data indicated that, 17 (8.46%) people were in 0-15 years of age, 106 (52.74%) were in 16-35 years of age, 58 (28.86%) were in 36-60 years of age and 20 (9.95%) were above 61 years of age.  The results indicated that Mattur had 33.33 per cent illiterates, 0.50 per cent functional literate, 18.41 per cent of them had primary school education, 4.98 per cent of them had middle school education, 26.37 per cent of them had high school education, 10.95 per cent of them had PUC education, 0.50 per cent had diploma, 1.49 per cent had ITI and 2.49 per cent of them had degree.  The results indicate that, 70.27 per cent of household heads were practicing agriculture and 29.73 per cent of the household heads were agricultural labourers.  The results indicate that agriculture was the major occupation for 48.26 per cent of the household members, 30.85 per cent were agricultural labourers, 3.48 per cent were in private service, 12.44 per cent were student, 3.98 per cent were housewives and 0.50 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 2.70 per cent of the households possess thatched house, 70.27 per cent of the households possess katcha house, 8.11 per cent of them possess pucca/RCC house and 18.92 per cent of the households possess semi pucca house.  The results show that 75.68 per cent of the households possess TV, 27.03 per cent of them possess mixer/grinder, 8.11 per cent of them possess bicycle, 37.84 per cent of the households possess motor cycle, 2.70 per cent of them possess tempo and landline phone and 94.59 per cent of the households possess mobile phones.  The results show that the average value of television was Rs. 6,928, mixer grinder was Rs. 1,260, bicycle was Rs. 1,200, motor cycle was Rs. 31,071, tempo was 500,000, landline was 2,000 and mobile phone was Rs. 2,347.  About 24.32 per cent of the households possess bullock cart, 21.62 per cent of them possess plough, 2.70 per cent of them possess tractor, 8.11 per cent of them possess sprayer, 48.65 per cent of them possess weeder, 2.70 per cent of them possess harvester and 5.41 per cent of them possess chaff cutter.  The results show that the average value of bullock cart was Rs. 20,777, plough was Rs. 1,780, tractor was Rs. 500,000, sprayer was Rs. 4,500, weeder was Rs. 52, harvester was Rs. 5,000 and the average value of chaff cutter was Rs. 825. 2  The results indicate that, 32.43 per cent of the households possess bullocks, 27.03 per cent of the households possess local cow, 2.70 per cent of them possess crossbred cow, 8.11 per cent possess buffalo and 2.70 per cent of them possess poultry birds.  The results indicate that, average own labour men available in the micro watershed was 2.33, average own labour (women) available was 1.94, average hired labour (men) available was 6.22 and average hired labour (women) available was 5.14.  The results indicate that 81.08 per cent of the households opined that the hired labour was adequate and 18.92 per cent opined that hired labour was inadequate.  The results indicate that, households of the Mattur micro-watershed possess 11.53 ha (27.70%) of dry land, 28.76 ha (69.09%) of irrigated land and 1.34 ha (3.21%) of permanent fallow. Marginal farmers possess 5.36 ha (75.67%) of dry land, 0.87 ha (12.34%) of irrigated land and 0.85 ha (11.99%) of permanent fallow. Small farmers possess 5.67 ha (100%) of irrigated land. Semi medium farmers possess 6.17 ha (30.49%) of dry land, 13.59 ha (67.11%) of irrigated land and 0.49 ha (2.40%) of permanent fallow. Medium farmers possess 8.64 ha (100%) of irrigated land.  The results indicate that, the average value of dry land was Rs. 428,133.33, the average value of irrigated land was Rs. 401,761.64 and the average value of permanent fallow land was Rs. 254,484.85. In case of marginal famers, the average land value was Rs. 585,343.40 for dry land, Rs. 800,462.98 for irrigated land and Rs. 352,857.16 for permanent fallow land. In case of small famers, the average land value was Rs. 652,785.71 for irrigated land. In case of semi medium famers, the average land value was Rs. 291,540.98 for dry land, Rs. 357,587.13 for irrigated land and Rs. 82,333.33 for permanent fallow land. In case of medium farmers, the average land value was Rs. 266,213.68 for irrigated land.  The results indicate that, there were 22 functioning and 5 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 59.46 per cent of the farmers.  The results indicate that, the depth of bore well was found to be 67.39 meters.  The results indicate that marginal, small, semi medium and medium farmers had an irrigated area of 1.34 ha, 5.26 ha, 14.03 ha and 8.94 ha respectively.  The results indicate that, farmers have grown maize (21.26 ha), Bengalgram (4.64 ha), onion (3.3 ha), bajra (3.17 ha), cotton (2.43 ha), groundnut (1.62 ha), sorghum (2.02 ha), cowpea (1.28 ha), sugarcane (1.21 ha) and wheat (0.81 ha).  The results indicate that, the cropping intensity in Mattur micro-watershed was found to be 81.42 per cent.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for maize was Rs. 31242.91. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 76824.86. The net income from maize cultivation was Rs. 45581.96. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:2.46. 3  The total cost of cultivation for sugarcane was Rs. 19242.89. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 44460. The net income from sugarcane cultivation was Rs. 25217.11. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:2.31.  The total cost of cultivation for sorghum was Rs. 29582.79. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 59280. The net income from sorghum cultivation was Rs. 29697.21. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:2.  The total cost of cultivation for Bengal grma was Rs. 35740.29. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 39942.37. The net income from Bengal gram cultivation was Rs. 4202.08. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.12.  The total cost of cultivation for cowpea was Rs. 19033.14. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 22233.19. The net income from cowpea cultivation was Rs. 3200.05. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.17.  The total cost of cultivation for onion was Rs. 50248.49. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 145418.29. The net income from onion cultivation was Rs. 95169.81. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:2.89.  The total cost of cultivation for groundnut was Rs. 19973.19. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 44460. The net income from groundnut cultivation was Rs. 24486.81. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:2.23.  The total cost of cultivation for wheat was Rs. 36026.18. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 17043. The net income from wheat cultivation was Rs. - 18983.18. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.47.  The total cost of cultivation for bajra was Rs. 53039.21. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 45570.78. The net income from bajra cultivation was Rs. - 7468.43. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.86.  The total cost of cultivation for cotton was Rs. 35308.21. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 69557.94. The net income from cotton cultivation was Rs. 34249.74. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.97.  The results indicate that, 35.14 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was adequate and 40.54 per cent opined that green fodder was adequate. Also, 16.22 per cent opined that dry fodder was inadequate and 5.41 per cent opined that green fodder was inadequate.  The results indicate that the annual gross income was Rs. 20,000 for landless farmers, for marginal farmers it was Rs. 109,025, for small farmers it was Rs. 101,642.86, for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 92,746.15 and for medium farmers it was Rs. 203,333.33.  The results indicate that the average annual expenditure is Rs. 17,392.16. For landless households it was Rs. 6,750, for marginal farmers it was Rs. 18,611.95, for small farmers it was Rs. 23,642.86, for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 7,064.10 and for medium farmers it was Rs. 49,777.78. 4  The results indicate that, sampled households have grown 155 coconut trees in their field and 11 coconut trees in their backyard.  The results indicate that, households have planted 1 cashew tree, 2 teak trees, 60 neem trees, 1 pongamia trees and 9 banyan trees in their field.  The results indicated that, bajra was sold to the extent of 98.39 per cent, Bengalgram was sold to the extent of 86.15 per cent, maize was sold to the extent of 83.57 per cent, onion was sold to the extent of 78.34 per cent, sorghum was sold to the extent of 52.38 per cent. Cotton, cowpea, groundnut, sugarcane and wheat were sold to the extent of 100 per cent.  The results indicated that, about 32.43 per cent of the farmers sold their produce to agent/traders, 56.76 per cent of the farmers sold their produce to local/village merchants, 27.03 per cent of the farmers sold their produce to regulated market and 2.70 per cent of them sold their produce through contract marketing arrangement.  The results indicated that, 8.11 per cent of the households carried head load, 40.54 per cent of them used cart and 70.27 per cent of them used tractor as a mode of transportation.  The results indicated that, 29.73 per cent of the households have experienced soil and water erosion problems in the farm.  The results indicated that, 29.73 per cent have shown interest in soil test.  The results indicated that, 81.08 per cent of the households used firewood and 18.92 per cent of the households used LPG as a source of fuel.  The results indicated that, piped supply was the major source of drinking water for 56.76 per cent of the households and bore well was the source of drinking water for 43.24 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, 27.03 per cent of the households possess sanitary toilet facility.  The results indicated that, 97.30 per cent of the sampled households possessed BPL card and 2.70 per cent of the sampled households did not possess any PDS card.  The results indicated that, 54.05 per cent of the households participated in NREGA programme.  The results indicated that, cereals were adequate for 94.59 per cent of the households, pulses were adequate for 67.57 per cent, oilseeds were adequate for 27.03 per cent, vegetables were adequate for 37.84, fruits were adequate for 8.11 per cent, milk was adequate for 62.16 per cent, eggs were adequate for 59.46 per cent and meat were adequate for 54.05 per cent.  The results indicated that, cereals were in adequate for 2.70 per cent of the households, pulses were inadequate for 29.73 per cent, oilseeds were inadequate for 40.54 per cent, vegetables were inadequate for 54.05 per cent, fruits were inadequate 5 for 56.76 per cent, milk was inadequate for 21.62 per cent, eggs were inadequate for 5.41 per cent and meat was inadequate for 8.11 per cent of the households.  The results indicated that, oilseeds were market surplus for 29.73 per cent of the households, vegetables were market surplus for 5.41 per cent of the households, fruits were market surplus for 2.70 per cent of the households and eggs were market surplus for 5.41 per cent of the households.  The results indicated that, lower fertility status of the soil was the constraint experienced by 72.50 per cent of the households, wild animal menace on farm field (75%), frequent incidence of pest and diseases (57.50%), inadequacy of irrigation water (45%), high cost of fertilizers and plant protection chemicals (30%), high rate of interest on credit and lack of marketing facilities in the area (20%), low price for the agricultural commodities (22.5%), inadequate extension services (10%), lack of transport for safe transport of the agricultural produce to the market (25%), less rainfall (60%) and Source of Agri-technology information (37.5%).