LAND RESOURCE INVENTORY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF FARM HOUSEHOLDS FOR WATERSHED PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT BUDIHALU (4D4A1W2e) MICRO WATERSHED Alavandi Hobli, Koppal Taluk and District, Karnataka

Abstract

The land resource inventory of Budihalu 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 792 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 99 per cent is covered by soils and 1 per cent by water bodies, settlements and others. The salient findings from the land resource inventory are summarized briefly below.  The soils belong to 21 soil series and 33 soil phases (management units) and 9 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 2 per cent of the soils are shallow (50-75 cm), 25 per cent of the soils are moderately shallow (50-75 cm), 29 per cent of the soils are moderately deep (75-100 cm) and 38 per cent area has deep (100-150 cm) to very deep (>150 cm) soils.  About 58 per cent has clayey soils, 35 per cent has loamy and 2 per cent has sandy soils at the surface.  About 66 per cent of the area has non-gravelly (<15%) soils, 25 per cent gravelly (15-35 % gravel) and 2 per cent has very gravelly (35-60%) soils.  About 9 per cent are very low (<50 mm/m), 45 per cent low (51-100 mm/m), 13 per cent medium (101-150 mm/m) and 27 per cent high (151-200 mm/m) to very high (>200 mm/m) in available water capacity.  About 5 per cent area has nearly level (0-1%) and 88 per cent has very gently sloping (1-3%) lands.  About 58 per cent has soils that are slightly eroded (e1) and 35 per cent moderately eroded (e2) lands.  An area of about 1 per cent are slightly acid (pH 6.0-6.5), 27 per cent are neutral (pH 6.5-7.3), 12 per cent are slightly alkaline (pH 7.3-7.8), 31 per cent are moderately alkaline (pH 7.8-8.4), 18 per cent are strongly alkaline (pH 8.4-9.0) and 5 per cent are very strongly alkaline (pH >9.0) in soil reaction.  The Electrical Conductivity (EC) of the soils is non-saline (<2 dS m-1) in 74 per cent, low (2-4 dS m-1) in 17 per cent and medium (4-8 dS m-1) in about 3 per cent soils.  Organic carbon is low (<0.5%) in about 13 per cent, 48 per cent of the soils are medium (0.5-0.75%) and high (>0.75%) in 33 per cent soils.  Available phosphorus is low (<23 kg/ha) in <1 per cent and medium (23-57 kg/ha) about 93 per cent in the microwatershed.  About <1 per cent of the soils are low (<145 kg/ha), medium (145-337 kg/ha) in 57 per cent soils and 36 per cent soils are high (>337 kg/ha) in available potassium content.  Available sulphur is low (<10 ppm) in <1 per cent, medium (10-20 ppm) in 34 per cent and high (>320 ppm) in about 59 per cent soils.  Available boron is low (0.5 ppm) in about 47 per cent, 47 per cent are medium (0.5- 1.0 ppm) and <1 per cent area is high (>1.0 ppm).  Available iron is sufficient (>4.5 ppm) in 74 per cent and deficient (<4.5 ppm) in about 20 per cent area.  Available zinc is deficient (<0.6 ppm) in about 21 per cent and deficient (<0.6 ppm) in 72 per cent soils.  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 282 (36) 389 (49) Sapota 169 (21) 180 (23) Maize 87 (11) 584 (74) Pomegranate 175 (22) 334 (42) Bajra 334 (42) 362 (46) Musambi 271 (34) 238 (30) Groundnut 174 (22) 313 (39) Lime 271 (34) 238 (30) Sunflower 271 (34) 228 (29) Amla 334 (42) 395 (50) Red gram 169 (21) 286 (36) Cashew 109 (14) 235 (30) Bengalgram 111 (14) 585 (74) Jackfruit 169 (21) 174 (22) Cotton 237 (30) 434 (55) Jamun 126 (16) 321 (41) Chilli 184 (23) 317 (40) Custard apple 445 (56) 284 (36) Tomato 184 (23) 323 (41) Tamarind 126 (16) 154 (20) Brinjal 208 (26) 460 (58) Mulberry 149 (19) 365 (46) Onion 166 (21) 333 (42) Marigold 144 (18) 527 (66) Bhendi 166 (21) 502 (63) Chrysanthemum 144 (18) 527 (66) Drumstick 175 (22) 349 (44) Jasmine 144 (18) 362 (46) Mango 126 (16) 49 (6) Crossandra 171 (22) 476 (60) Guava 148 (19) 195 (25) Apart from the individual crop suitability, a proposed crop plan has been prepared for the 9 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 97 (53.59%) men and 84 (46.41%) were women among the sampled households. The average family size of landless farmers’ was 4.5, marginal farmers’ was 4.4, small farmers’ was 5.0, semi medium farmers’ was 5.2, medium farmers’ was 6.2 and for large farmers’ it was 7.0.  The data indicated that 22 (12.15%) people were in 0-15 years of age, 76 (41.99%) were in 16-35 years of age, 62 (34.25 %) were in 36-60 years of age and 21 (11.60%) were above 61 years of age.  The results indicated that Budihalu micro watershed had 34.81 per cent illiterates, 0.55 per cent were functional literates, 19.89 per cent of the people had primary school education, 6.63 per cent of them had middle school education, 16.02 per cent of them had high school education, 10.50 per cent of them had PUC education, 5.52 per cent of them had degree education and 0.55 had studied ITI.  The results indicate that, 91.43 per cent of households practicing agriculture, 2.86 per cent of the household heads were in government service and 8.57 per cent of the households heads had other occupation. The results indicate that agriculture was the major occupation for 55.80 per cent of the household members, 14.36 per cent were agricultural labourers, 16.57 per cent were students, 3.31 per cent were children and housewives, 1.66 per cent were in government service.  The results show that 96.69 per cent of the population has not participated in any local institution, 1.10 per cent have participated in sthree shakthi sangha and 0.55 per cent each have participated in gram panchayat, taluk panchayat, dairy cooperative and raitha sangha.  The results indicate that 68.57 per cent of the households possess Katcha house, 11.43 per cent of them possess pucca house, 2.86 per cent of them possess thatched house and 17.14 per cent of them possess semi pucca house.  The results shows that 74.29 per cent of the households possess TV, 17.14 per cent of the households possess Mixer grinder, 42.86 per cent of the households possess bicycle, 34.29 per cent of the households possess motor cycle, 82.86 per cent of the households possess mobile phones, 2.86 per cent of the households possess radio, 5.71 per cent of the households possess DVD player and 5.71 per cent of the households possess auto.  The results shows that the average value of television was Rs.4730, mixer grinder was Rs. 2033, bicycle was Rs.3686, motor cycle was Rs. 29214, auto was Rs. 175000, mobile phone was Rs.1477, radio was Rs. 1000 and DVD player was Rs. 1600.  About 17.14 per cent of the households possess plough, 22.86 per cent of them possess bullock cart, 2.86 per cent of the households possess sprayer, and 2.86 per cent of the households possess tractor. 2  The results show that the average value of plough was Rs.2333, bullock cart was Rs.22250, sprayer was Rs.3000 and tractor was Rs.300000.  The results indicate that, 20 per cent of the households possess bullocks, 25.17 per cent of the households possess local cow, 8.57 per cent of the households possess crossbred cows, 2.86 per cent of the households possess buffalo, 8.57 per cent of the households possess goat, 5.71 per cent of the households possess sheep and 45.71 per cent of the households possess poultry birds.  The results indicate that, average own labour (men) available in the micro watershed was 2.39, average own labour (women) available was 1.67, average hired labour (men) available was 2.30 and average hired labour (women) available was 1.67.  The results indicate that, 60 per cent of the household opined that hired labour was adequate and 34.29 per cent of the households opined that hired labour was inadequate. About 55.56 per cent of the marginal farmers, 70 per cent of small, 100 per cent of semi medium and 33.33 medium farmers and 50 per cent of large farmers have opined that the hired labour was adequate.  The results indicate that, households of the Budihalu micro watershed possess 53.60 ha (73%) of dry land and 19.83 ha (27%) of irrigated land. Marginal farmers possess 5.99 ha (100%) of dry land.  The results indicate that, the average value of dry land was Rs. 170,772.45 and average value of irrigated land was Rs. 357,971.02.  The results indicate that, there were 13 functioning and 5 de-functioning bore wells in the micro watershed.  Bore well was the major irrigation source in the micro water shed which was possessed by small farmers, medium farmers, semi medium farmers and large farmers. The depth of bore well was found to be 34.21 meters.  The results indicate that, small farmers had 1.01 ha, semi medium farmers had 5.67 ha, medium farmers had 8.24 ha and large farmers had 3.24 ha of irrigated area. Farmers have grown Maize (26.66 ha), Bajra (4.78 ha), Sunflower (4.05 ha), Redgram (8.1 ha), Bengal gram (1.01 ha) and Sorghum (2.23 ha). Marginal farmers have grown maize, cotton, bajra, sunflower, sorghum and groundnut. Small farmers have grown maize, cotton, bajra, and sorghum. Semi medium farmers have grown maize, cotton, sunflower, sorghum and banana. Medium farmers have grown maize, red gram, cotton, bajra, sunflower, onion, sorghum and bengal gram. Large farmers have grown maize, cotton and chilly.  The results indicate that, the cropping intensity in Budihalu micro watershed was found to be 61.92 per cent. In case of Marginal farmers it was 100 per cent, for small farmers it was 76.94 per cent, in case of semi medium farmers it was 78.95 per cent, medium farmers had cropping intensity of 66.67 per cent and large farmers had a cropping intensity of 35.71 per cent. 3  The results indicate that, 22.86 per cent of the households have bank account and 17.14 per cent of the households have savings. Among landless, medium and large farmers nobody possessed bank account and savings.  The results indicate that, 44.44 per cent of marginal, 30 per cent of small and 16.67 per cent semi medium have borrowed credit from different sources.  Around 25 per cent have availed loan from commercial bank, 12.5 per cent have availed loan from cooperative bank, 37.5 per cent have availed loan from grameena bank and 12.5 per cent have availed loan from money lender.  Overall average credit amount availed by households in the micro watershed is Rs. 234000. The results indicate that, 100 per cent of the households have borrowed loan for agricultural production purpose.  The results indicate that, 16.67 per cent of the households have repaid their loan partially. The data also shows that 66.67 per cent of households have unpaid their loans and only 16.67 per cent of households have fully repaid their loans taken from institutional sources.  Around 100 per cent of the households have not repaid their loan borrowed from non institutional sources.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for maize was Rs. 30217.71. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 37123.44. The net income from maize cultivation was Rs. 6905.72, thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.23.  The total cost of cultivation for redgram was Rs. 10077.65. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 14806.28. The net income from redgram cultivation was Rs.4728.63. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.47.  The total cost of cultivation for cotton was Rs. 34942.88. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 54239.18. The net income from cotton cultivation was Rs. 19296.30, thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.55.  The total cost of cultivation for bajra was Rs. 54100.63. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 12054.82. The net income from bajra cultivation was Rs. - 42045.81. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.22.  The total cost of cultivation for sunflower was Rs. 31049.45. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 31250.07. The net income from sunflower cultivation was Rs. 200.63. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.01.  The total cost of cultivation for onion was Rs. 16968.62. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 19924.67. The net income from onion cultivation was Rs. 2956.05. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.17.  The total cost of cultivation for sorghum was Rs. 17508.50. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 61750. The net income from sorghum cultivation was Rs. 44241.50. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:3.53. 4  The total cost of cultivation for banana was Rs. 40661.40. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 3161600. The net income from banana cultivation was Rs. 3120938.60. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:77.75.  The total cost of cultivation for bengal gram was Rs. 47423.61. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 1729.00. The net income from bengal gram cultivation was Rs. -45694.61. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.04.  The total cost of cultivation for groundnut was Rs. 28538.75. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 32968.22. The net income from groundnut cultivation was Rs. 4429.47. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.16.  The total cost of cultivation for chilly was Rs. 16581.91. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 12350. The net income from chilly cultivation was Rs. - 4231.91. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.74.  The results indicate that, 34.29 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was adequate which includes 8.57 per cent of marginal farmers and 40 per cent of small farmers. Around 40 per cent of the households opined that green fodder was adequate. The data revealed that 8.57 per cent of the farmers opined that dry fodder is inadequate.  The results indicated that, banana, Bengal gram, chilly, groundnut, jowar, onion, redgram and sorghum were sold to the extent of 100 per cent.  Around 34.29 per cent of the households have sold their produce to agents/traders, 68.57 per cent of the households have sold their produce to village merchants, 28.57 per cent of the households have sold their produce in regulated markets and 11.43 per cent of the households have sold their produce in cooperative marketing society.  Around 17.14 per cent of the households have carried head load, 77.14 per cent have used cart and 57.14 per cent have used tractor as a mode of transport for their agricultural produce.  The results indicated that, 11.43 per cent of the households have shown interest in soil testing i.e. 22.22 per cent of marginal farmers, 10 per cent of small farmers and 14.29 per cent of medium farmers have shown interest in soil testing.  The results indicated that, 14.29 per cent of the households have adopted field bunding which includes 22.22 per cent of marginal, 20 per cent of small farmers, and 14.29 per cent of medium farmers.  Around 8.57 per cent of soil conservation structure is constructed by farmers on their own, and another 5.71 per cent is constructed by farmers’ organization.  The results indicated that, 3.03 per cent of the households used dung cake as a source of fuel, 93.94 per cent used fire wood and another 3.03 per cent of the households used LPG.  Piped supply was the major source for drinking water for 48.57 per cent of the households, bore well was the major source for 40 per cent of the households, open 5 well was the major source for 11.43 per cent of the households and canal was the major source of drinking water for 2.86 per cent of the households.  Electricity was the major source of light for 100 per cent of the households in micro watershed.  The results indicated that, 37.14 per cent of the households possess sanitary toilet i.e. 50 per cent of landless, 44.44 per cent of the marginal, 30 per cent of the small, 50 per cent of the semi medium and 14.29 per cent of the medium farmers had sanitary toilet facility.  Around 80 per cent of the sampled households possessed BPL card and 14.29 per cent possessed APL card.  Around 60 per cent of the households participated in NREGA programme which included 100 per cent of landless farmers, 33.33 percent of the marginal, 50 per cent of the small, 66.67 per cent of the semi medium, 85.71 percent of the medium farmers and 100 per cent of the small farmers.  The results indicated that, cereals were adequate for 97.14 per cent of the households, pulses were adequate for 60 per cent of the households, oilseeds were adequate for 20 per cent of the households, vegetables were adequate for 40 per cent of the households, fruits were adequate for 25.71 per cent of the households, milk was adequate for 48.57 per cent of the households, eggs were adequate for 22.86 per cent of the households and meat was adequate for 28.57 per cent of the households.  The results indicated that, lower fertility status of the soil was the constraint experienced by 3.03 per cent of the households, wild animal menace on farm field (60.61%), frequent incidence of pest and diseases (51.52%), high cost of Fertilizers and plant protection chemicals (15.15%), high rate of interest on credit (24.24%), lack of marketing facilities in the area (12.12%), lack of transport for safe transport of the agricultural produce to the market (90.91%), less rainfall (100%), source of Agri-technology information(Newspaper/TV/Mobile) (96.97).