LAND RESOURCE INVENTORY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF FARM HOUSEHOLDS FOR WATERSHED PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT HIREBAGNALU-3 (4D4A1Z2d) MICRO WATERSHED Koppal Taluk and District, Karnataka

Abstract

The land resource inventory of Hire Bagnalu-3 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 485 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 82 per cent is covered by soil, 13 per cent by rockout crops, <1 per cent by mining/ Industrial area and 4 per cent by habitation, water bodies and settlements. The salient findings from the land resource inventory are summarized briefly below.  The soils belong to 9 soil series and 17 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 <1 per cent is very shallow (<25 cm), 35 per cent moderately shallow (50-75 cm), 28 per cent moderately deep (75- 100 cm), and 19 per cent is deep to very deep (100->150cm) soils.  About 66 per cent loamy (sandy loam and sandy clay loam) and 17 per cent has clayey (sandy clay) soils at the surface.  About 23 per cent of the area has non-gravelly (<15%) soils, 55 per cent has gravelly (15-35 % gravel) and 5 per cent has very gravelly (35-60%) soils.  With respect to available water capacity 51 per cent of the area has very low (<50mm/m), 25 per cent of the area has low (51-100 mm/m) and 7 per cent area is very high (>200mm/m) in available water capacity.  An area of about 3 per cent has nearly level (0-1%) and 80 per cent has very gently sloping (1-3%) lands.  An area of about 11 per cent is slightly eroded (e1) and 72 per cent is moderately eroded (e2).  An area of about 8 per cent is slightly acid (pH 6.0 to 6.5), 19 per cent is neutral (pH 6.5 to 7.3), 22 per cent is slightly alkaline (pH 7.3 to 7.8) and 34 per cent is moderately alkaline (pH 7.8 to 8.4).  The Electrical Conductivity (EC) of the soils are <2 dsm-1 indicating that soils are non saline.  Organic carbon is high (>0.75 %) in entire area of the microwatershed.  Available phosphorus is low (<23 kg/ha) in 7 per cent, medium (23-56 kg/ha) in 27 per cent and high (>57 kg/ha) 49 per cent area of the soils.  Available potassium is low (<145 kg/ha) in 11 per cent and medium (145-337 kg/ha) in 72 per cent area of the soils.  Available sulphur is low (<10 ppm) in 31 per cent, medium (10-20 ppm) in 45 per cent and high (>20 ppm) in 8 per cent area of the soils.  Available boron is low (<0.5 ppm) in 79 per cent and medium (0.5-1.0 ppm) in 4 per cent area of the microwatershed.  Available iron is deficient (<4.5ppm) in 32 per cent and sufficient (>4.5 ppm) in 51 per cent of the area.  Available zinc is deficient (<0.6 ppm) in 33 per cent and sufficient (>0.6 ppm) in 50 per cent of the microwatershed.  Available manganese and copper are sufficient in the entire area.  The land suitability for 31 major agricultural and horticultural crops grown in the microwatershed was assessed and the areas that are highly suitable (class S1) and moderately suitable (class 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 16(3) 204(42) Sapota 16(3) 104(21) Maize 16(3) 204(42) Pomegranate 16 (3) 139(29) Bajra 16(3) 308(64) Guava - 120(25) Redgram 16(3) 35(7) Jackfruit 16(3) 104(21) Bengal gram 35(7) 148(3) Jamun 16 (3) 139(29) Groundnut - 328(68) Musambi 16(3) 139(29) Sunflower 16 (3) 35(7) Lime 16(3) 139(29) Cotton 16(3) 204(42) Cashew - 154(32) Chilli 16(3) 169(35) Custard apple 16(3) 382 (79) Tomato 16 (3) 169(35) Amla 16(3) 382(79) Brinjal - 188(39) Tamarind 16(3) 58 (12) Onion - 187(39) Marigold 16(3) 204(42) Bhendi - 187(39) Chrysanthemum 16(3) 204(42) Drumstick 16 (3) 74(15) Jasmine 16 (3) 169(35) Mulberry 16(3) 212(44) Crossandra 16 (3) 169(35) Mango 16(3) - - - -  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.  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 and drainage line treatment plans have 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 111 (61.67%) men and 69 (38.33%) women among the sampled households.  The average family size of landless farmers’ was 4.16, marginal farmers’ was 5.33, small farmers’ was 5, semi medium farmers’ was 5.3 and medium farmers’ was 5.  The data indicated that, 39 (21.67%) people were in 0-15 years of age, 74 (41.11%) were in 16-35 years of age, 58 (32.22%) were in 36-60 years of age and 9 (5%) were above 61 years of age.  The results indicated that Hire Bagnalu-3 had 32.22 per cent illiterates, 41.11 per cent of them had primary school education, 7.22 per cent of them had middle school education, 4.44 per cent of them had high school education, 7.78 per cent of them had PUC education, 0.56 per cent did diploma, 2.22 per cent of them did ITI and 1.67 per cent of them had degree education.  The results indicate that, 86.11 per cent of households were practicing agriculture, 8.33 per cent of the households were agricultural labourers and 2.78 per cent were general labour.  The results indicate that agriculture was the major occupation for 17.78 per cent of the household members, 55.56 per cent were agricultural laborers, 0.56 per cent were general labour, 1.67 per cent were in private service, 21.67 per cent were students, 0.56 per cent were housewives and 2.22 per cent were children.  The results show that 99.44 per cent of the population in the micro watershed has not participated in any local institutions; only 1 per son participated in NGO.  The results indicate that 8.33 per cent of the households possess thatched house, 69.44 per cent of the households possess Katcha house and 22.22 per cent of the households possess pucca/RCC house.  The results show that 58.33 per cent of the households possess TV, 27.78 per cent of the households possess Mixer grinder, 5.56 per cent of the households possess bicycle, 38.89 per cent of the households possess motor cycle and 66.67 per cent of the households possess mobile phones.  The results show that the average value of television was Rs. 4,761, mixer grinder was Rs. 1,760, bicycle was Rs. 3,000, motor cycle was Rs. 44,285 and mobile phone was Rs. 2,115.  About 19.44 per cent of the households possess bullock cart, 27.78 per cent of the households possess plough, 5.56 per cent possessed irrigation pump, 2.78 per cent of the households possess power tiller, 11.11 per cent possess tractor, 16.67 per cent of them possess sprayer, 2.78 per cent of them possess thresher and 41.67 per cent of them possess weeder.  The results show that the average value of bullock cart was Rs. 15,714, the average value of plough was Rs. 1,166, the average value of irrigation pump was Rs.1,300, 2 power tiller was Rs.1,50,000, tractor was Rs.575,000, thresher was Rs.300, the average value of sprayer was Rs. 5,600 and the average value of weeder was Rs.29.  The results indicate that, 36.11 per cent of the households possess bullocks, 41.67 per cent of the households possess local cow, 2.78 per cent were crossbred cow and 2.78 per cent were buffalo.  The results indicate that, average own labour men available in the micro watershed was 1.89, average own labour (women) available was 1.43, average hired labour (men) available was 13.29 and average hired labour (women) available was 13.31.  The results indicate that, 97.22 per cent of the households opined that the hired labour was inadequate.  The results indicate that, households of the Hire Bagnalu-3 micro-watershed possess 16.64 ha (33.11%) of dry land and 33.61 ha (66.89%) of irrigated land. Marginal farmers possess 3.17 ha (88.69%) of dry land and 0.40 ha (11.31%) of irrigated land. Small farmers possess 7.69 ha (89.03%) of dry land and 0.95 ha (10.97%) of irrigated land. Semi medium farmers possess 5.78 ha (33.21%) of dry land and 11.61 ha (66.79%) of irrigated land. Medium farmers possess 20.64 (100%) of irrigated land.  The results indicate that, the average value of dry land was Rs. 294,405.25 and average value of irrigated land was Rs. 303,395.95. In case of marginal famers, the average land value was Rs. 630,102.03 for dry land and was Rs. 1,235,000 for irrigated. In case of small famers, the average land value was Rs. 260,000 for dry land and was Rs. 633,333.36 for irrigated land. In case of semi medium famers, the average land value was Rs. 155,781.35 for dry land and Rs. 395,888.50 for irrigated land. In case of medium famers, the average value of irrigated land was Rs. 217,941.18 for irrigated land.  The results indicate that, there were 20 functioning bore wells and 21 nonfunctioning bore wells in the micro watershed.  The results indicate that, bore well was the major irrigation source in the micro water shed for 55.56 per cent of the farmers.  The results indicate that, the depth of bore well was found to be 32.17 meters.  The results indicate that, marginal, small, semi medium and medium farmers had irrigated area of 0.40 ha, 0.81 ha, 11.98 and 16.23 ha respectively.  The results indicate that, farmers have grown maize (29.41 ha), bajra (6.6 ha), paddy (6.32 ha), sugarcane (3.24 ha), groundnut (1.62 ha) and pearlmillet (1.21 ha). Marginal and small farmers have grown maize and bajra. Semi medium farmers have grown maize, bajra, paddy, sugarcane and groundnut. Medium farmers have grown maize, bajra, paddy, sugarcane and pearlmillet.  The results indicate that, the cropping intensity in Hire Bagnalu-3 micro-watershed was found to be 70.93 per cent. In case of marginal farmers it was 100 per cent, 3 small farmers it was 84 per cent, in case of semi medium farmers it was 70.70 and medium farmers it was 63.80 per cent.  The results indicate that, 83.33 per cent of the households have bank account and savings.  The results indicate that, 83.33 per cent of the households have availed credit from different sources.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for Sugarcane was Rs. 55529.11. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 133380. The net income from Sugarcane cultivation was Rs. 77850.89. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:2.4.  The total cost of cultivation for maize was Rs. 28961.88. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 36880.47. The net income from maize cultivation was Rs. 7918.59. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.27.  The total cost of cultivation for bajra was Rs. 96761.57. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 31769.74. The net income from bajra cultivation was Rs. - 64991.83. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.33.  The total cost of cultivation for paddy was Rs. 36805.48. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 54441.97. The net income from paddy cultivation was Rs. 17636.49. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.48.  The total cost of cultivation for groundnut was Rs. 37934.72. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 61132.50. The net income from groundnut cultivation was Rs. 23197.78. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.61.  The results indicate that, 16.67 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was adequate and 25 per cent opined that dry fodder was adequate.  The results indicate that the average annual gross income was Rs. 38,333.33 for landless farmers, for marginal farmers it was Rs. 32,333.33, for small farmers it was Rs. 47,666.67, for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 97,150 and for medium farmers it was Rs. 103,987.50.  The results indicate that the average annual expenditure is Rs. 3,447.45. For landless households it was Rs. 1,250, for marginal farmers it was Rs. 4,033.33, for small farmers it was Rs. 2,138.89, for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 4,070 and for medium farmers it was Rs. 4,859.38.  The results indicate that, households have planted 139 coconut trees and 8 mango trees in the field. Also, they have planted 100 coconut trees in their backyard.  The results indicate that, households have planted 53 neem trees, 212 teak trees, 1 tamarind tree and 1 acacia trees in their field.  The results indicate that, the average additional investment capacity with the households for land development was Rs. 5347.22 and for improved crop production Rs. 727.78. 4  The results indicate that, government subsidy was the source of additional investment for 2.78 per cent for land development and for 2.78 per cent for improved crop production. Own funds was the source of additional investment for 22.22 per cent for land development and for another 11.11 per cent for improved crop production. Soft loan was the source of additional investment for 25 per cent for land development and for 5.56 per cent for improved crop production.  The results indicated that, bajra was sold to the extent of 80 per cent, groundnut was sold to the extent of 25 per cent, maize was sold to the extent of 95.02 per cent, paddy was sold to the extent of 96.67 per cent and sugarcane was sold to the extent of 69.09 per cent.  The results indicated that, about 25 per cent of the famers have sold their produce to local/village merchants, 75 per cent of the farmers have sold their produce to regulated market and 2.78 per cent of the farmers have sold through contract marketing arrangement.  The results indicated that, 11.11 per cent of the households have used cart, 88.89 per cent used tractor and 2.78 per cent used truck as a mode of transportation for their agricultural produce.  The results indicated that, 22.22 per cent of the households have experienced soil and water erosion problems in the farm.  The results indicated that, 77.78 per cent have shown interest in soil test.  The results indicated that, 100 per cent of the households used firewood as a source of fuel.  The results indicated that, bore well was the major source of drinking water for 52.78 per cent of the households and piped supply was the source of drinking water for 47.22 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 facility.  The results indicated that, 100 per cent of the sampled households possessed BPL card.  The results indicated that, 66.67 per cent of the households participated in NREGA programme.  The results indicated that, cereals were adequate for 97.22 per cent of the households, pulses were adequate for 77.78 per cent, oilseed were adequate for 30.56 per cent, vegetables were adequate for 36.11 per cent, fruits were adequate for 44.44 per cent, milk was adequate for 19.44 per cent and eggs were adequate for 33.33 per cent.  The results indicated that, pulses were inadequate for 25 per cent of the households, oilseeds were inadequate for 63.89 per cent, vegetables were inadequate for 58.33 5 per cent, fruits were inadequate for 44.44 per cent, milk were inadequate for 38.89 per cent, eggs were inadequate for 58.33 and meat was inadequate for 2.78 per cent of the households.  The results indicated that, lower fertility status of the soil was the constraint experienced by 80.56 per cent of the households, wild animal menace on farm field (75%), frequent incidence of pest and diseases (33.33%), inadequacy of irrigation water (16.67%), high cost of fertilizers and plant protection chemicals (11.11%), high rate of interest on credit (8.33%), low price for the agricultural commodities (22.22%), lack of marketing facilities in the area (13.89%), lack of transport for safe transport of the agricultural produce to the market (25%), source of agri-technology information (13.89%) and inadequate extension services (11.11%).