LAND RESOURCE INVENTORY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF FARM HOUSEHOLDS FOR WATERSHED PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT HADAGIMADRA (4D5B2K2c) MICROWATERSHED Yadgir Taluk and District, Karnataka

Abstract

The land resource inventory of Hadagimadra 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 593 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 498 ha (84%) ha in the microwatershed is covered by soils, about 13 ha (2%) by rock outcrops and about 83 ha (14%) by others (Habitation and water body). The salient findings from the land resource inventory are summarized briefly below.  The soils belong to 7 soil series and 12 soil phases (management units) and 4 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.  An area of about 84 per cent is suitable for agriculture in the microwatershed.  About 59 per cent area of the microwatershed has soils that are deep to very deep (100- >150 cm), whereas 17 per cent soils are moderately deep (75-100 cm) and about 8 per cent soils are shallow (<25-50 cm) in the microwatershed.  About 2 percent soils are sandy, 16 percent soils are loamy and 66 per cent is clayey soils at the surface.  An area of about 84 per cent is non gravelly (<15%) soils and about <1 per cent soils are gravelly (15-35%) in the microwatershed.  About 59 per cent area of the microwatershed is very high (>200 mm/m) in available water capacity. About 17 per cent area of the microwatershed is medium (101-150 mm/m) and about 8 per cent soils are low (51-100 mm/m) in available water capacity.  An area of about 67 percent is very gently sloping (1-3% slope) lands, about 17 per cent soils are nearly level (0-1% slope) lands in the microwatershed.  Maximum area of about 67 per cent is moderately (e2) eroded and about 17 per cent are slightly (e1) eroded lands in the microwatershed.  Entire cultivated area is neutral (6.5-7.3) in soil reaction.  The Electrical Conductivity (EC) of the soils in the entire cultivated area of the microwatershed is <2 dsm-1 indicating that the soils are non-saline.  An area of 31 per cent is high (>0.75%), about 50 percent is medium (0.50-0.75%) and 3 per cent is low (<0.5%) in organic carbon content.  An area of about <1 percent is low (<23 kg/ha), about 81 percent is medium (23-57 kg/ha) and 2 percent soils are high (>57 kg/ha) in available phosphorus.  An area of about 9 per cent is medium (145-337 kg/ha) and 75 per cent is high (>337 kg/ha) in the microwatershed.  Available sulphur is high (>20 ppm) in an area of about 11 per cent, about 26 per cent is medium (10-20 ppm) and about 47 per cent is low (<10 ppm) in the microwatershed.  Available boron is low (<0.5 ppm) in an area of about 72 per cent and medium (0.5-1.0 ppm) in about 12 per cent soils.  Available iron content is sufficient (>4.5 ppm) in an area of about 72 per cent and 12 per cent is deficient (<4.5 ppm) in the microwatershed.  Available manganese and copper are sufficient in all the soils of the microwatershed.  An area of about 77 per cent is deficient (<0.6 ppm) and 7 per cent is sufficient (>0.6 ppm) in available zinc content in 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 2(<1) 349(59) Guava - - Maize - 351(59) Sapota - - Bajra - 351(59) Pomegranate - 246(42) Groundnut - - Musambi 2(<1) 244(41) Sunflower 2(<1) 244(41) Lime 2(<1) 244(41) Redgram - 351(59) Amla - 2(<1) Bengal gram 2(<1) 244(41) Cashew - - Cotton 2(<1) 244(41) Jackfruit - - Chilli - 246(42) Jamun - 2(<1) Tomato - - Custard apple 2(<1) 244(41) Brinjal - - Tamarind - 2(<1) Onion - - Mulberry - - Bhendi - 246(42) Marigold - 246(42) Drumstick - 2(<1) Chrysanthemum - 246(42) 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, fiber and horticulture crops.  Maintaining soil-health is vital to 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 submarginal 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 to 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 94 (62.25%) men and 57 (37.75%) women among the sampled households.  The average family size of landless farmers’ was 3.8, marginal farmers’ was 4.22, small farmers’ was 4.73 and semi medium farmers’ was 4.  The data indicated that, 32 (21.19%) people were in 0-15 years of age, 73 (48.34%) were in 16-35 years of age, 36 (23.84%) were in 36-60 years of age and 10 (6.62%) were above 61 years of age.  The results indicated that Hadagimadara had 48.34 per cent illiterates, 26.49 per cent of them had primary school education, 2.65 per cent of them had middle school education, 3.97 per cent of them had high school education, 7.28 per cent of them had PUC education, 3.31 per cent of them had degree education and 0.66 per cent of the population had diploma.  The results indicate that, 85.71 per cent of households were practicing agriculture, 11.43 per cent of the households were agricultural labourers and 2.86 per cent of them were in private service.  The results indicate that agriculture was the major occupation for 21.19 per cent of the household members, 50.99 per cent were agricultural laborers, 0.66 per cent were in private service, 23.18 per cent were students, 0.66 per cent were housewives and 3.31 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 22.86 per cent of the households possess thatched house, 54.29 per cent of the households possess Katcha house and 25.71 per cent of them possess pucca house.  The results show that 97.14 per cent of the households possess TV, 48.57 per cent of the households possess Mixer grinder, 2.86 per cent of the households possess refrigerator, 77.14 per cent of the households possess motor cycle, 2.86 per cent of the households possess landline phone and 94.29 per cent of the households possess mobile phones.  The results show that the average value of television was Rs.5735, mixer grinder was Rs.1811, refrigerator was Rs.5000, motor cycle was Rs.51464, landline phone was Rs.1000 and mobile phone was Rs.4616.  About 11.43 per cent of the households possess bullock cart, 28.57 per cent of them possess plough, 8.57 per cent of the households possess tractor, 25.71 per cent of them possess sprayer, 25.71 per cent of them possess weeder and 20 per cent of them possess harvester.  The results show that the average value of bullock cart was Rs.23000, plough was Rs.2050, the average value of tractor was Rs.600000, the average value of sprayer 2 was Rs.4500, the average value of harvester was Rs.1380 and the average value of weeder was Rs.445.  The results indicate that, 37.14 per cent of the households possess bullocks and 48.57 per cent of the households possess local cow.  The results indicate that, average own labour men available in the micro watershed was 2, average own labour (women) available was 1.4, average hired labour (men) available was 4.97 and average hired labour (women) available was 5.40.  The results indicate that, 82.86 per cent of the households opined that the hired labour was inadequate.  The results indicate that, households of the Hadagimadara micro-watershed possess 27.78 ha (97.17%) of dry land and 0.81 ha (2.83%) of irrigated land. Marginal farmers possess 11.73 ha (100%) of dry land. Small farmers possess 13.94 ha (94.51%) of dry land and 0.81 ha (5.49%) of irrigated land. Semi medium farmers possess 2.11 ha (100%) of dry land.  The results indicate that, the average value of dry land was Rs. 406,628.79 and average value of irrigated land was Rs. 741,000. In case of marginal famers, the average land value was Rs. 588,095.24 for dry land. In case of small famers, the average land value was Rs. 294,047.62 for dry land and the average land value was Rs.741000. In case of semi medium famers, the average land value was Rs. 141954.03 for dry land.  The results indicate that, there were 1 functioning and 1 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 2.86 per cent of the farmers.  The results indicate that, the depth of bore well was found to be 10 meters.  The results indicate that, small had an irrigated area of 0.81 ha.  The results indicate that, farmers have grown cotton (24.45 ha), red gram (2.92 ha), sorghum (0.83 ha) and greengram (0.81 ha).  Marginal farmers have grown cotton, greengram, red gram and sorghum. Small farmers have grown cotton and semi medium farmers have grown red gram.  The results indicate that, the cropping intensity in Hadagimadara micro-watershed was found to be 101.42 per cent.  The results indicate that, 88.57 per cent of the households have bank account and savings.  The results indicate that, 62.86 per cent of the households have availed credit from different sources.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for cotton was Rs. 33982.59. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 75413.24. The net income from Cotton cultivation was Rs. 41430.65, thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:2.22. 3  The total cost of cultivation for red gram was Rs. 24883.38. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 57920.08. The net income from red gram cultivation was Rs. 33036.71. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:2.33.  The total cost of cultivation for green gram was Rs. 22681. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 39520. The net income from green gram cultivation was Rs. 16839. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.74.  The total cost of cultivation for sorghum was Rs. 62922.56. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 36931.25. The net income from sorghum cultivation was Rs. -25991.31. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.59.  The results indicate that, 22.86 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was adequate and 20 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was inadequate.  The results indicate that the average annual gross income was Rs. 16,000 for landless farmers, for marginal farmers it was Rs. 168,420, for small farmers it was Rs. 139,166.67, for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 183,833.33 and for medium farmers it was Rs. 310,000.  The results indicate that the average annual expenditure is Rs. 9,809.24. For landless households it was Rs. 6,000, for marginal farmers it was Rs. 13,318.10, for small farmers it was Rs. 3,925.93, for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 6,250 and for medium farmers it was Rs. 24,375.  The results indicate that, sampled households have grown 2 custard apple trees in their fields.  The results indicate that, households have planted 2 teak, 44 neem, 2 tamarind, 5 eucalyptus and 3 banyan trees in their field.  The results indicate that, the average additional investment capacity with the households for land development was Rs. 4600.  The results indicate that, loan from bank was the source of additional investment capacity for 14.29 per cent and soft loan was the source of additional investment capacity for 42.86 per cent for land development.  The results indicated that, all crops were sold to the extent of 100 per cent except cotton which was sold to the extent of 93.97 per cent.  The results indicated that, about 25.71 per cent of the farmers sold their produce to local/village merchants and 57.14 per cent of the farmers.  The results indicated that, 80 per cent of the households have used tractor as a mode of transportation for their agricultural produce and 2.86 per cent have used cart as a mode of transportation.  The results indicated that, 28.57 per cent of the households have experienced soil and water erosion problems in the farm i.e., 33.33 per cent of the marginal farmers and 36.36 per cent of small farmers have experienced soil and water erosion problems. 4  The results indicated that, 85.71 per cent have shown interest in soil test which accounts for 100 per cent of marginal farmers, 100 per cent small farmers and 100 per cent of semi medium farmers.  The results indicated that, 100 per cent of the households used firewood as a source of fuel.  The results indicated that, piped supply was the major source of drinking water for 60 per cent of the households and bore well was the source of drinking water for 40 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, 100 per cent of the households possess sanitary toilet.  The results indicated that, 97.14 per cent of the sampled households possessed BPL card and 2.86 per cent of the households did not possess any PDS card.  The results indicated that, 40 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 68.57 per cent, oilseeds were adequate for 25.71 per cent, vegetables were adequate for 25.71 per cent, fruits were adequate for 54.29 per cent, milk was adequate for 31.43 per cent and eggs were adequate for 37.14 per cent.  The results indicated that, pulses were inadequate for 31.43 per cent of the households, oilseeds were inadequate for 68.57 per cent, vegetables were inadequate for 68.57 per cent, fruits were inadequate for 28.57 per cent, milk was inadequate for 31.43 per cent and eggs were inadequate for 60 per cent of the households.  The results indicated that, lower fertility status of the soil was the constraint experienced by 88.57 per cent of the households, wild animal menace on farm field (71.43%), frequent incidence of pest and diseases (40%), inadequacy of irrigation water (8.57%), high cost of fertilizers and plant protection chemicals (34.29%), low price for the agricultural commodities (17.14%), lack of marketing facilities in the area (8.57%), lack of transport for safe transport of the agricultural produce to the market (34.29%), inadequate extension services (5.71%) and less rainfall (40%) and source of agri-technology information (11.43%).