LAND RESOURCE INVENTORY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF FARM HOUSEHOLDS FOR WATERSHED PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT TAVARAGERE-2(4D3A9B2d) MICRO WATERSHED Irakallagada Hobli, Koppal Taluk and District, Karnataka

Abstract

The land resource inventory of Tavaregere-2 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 788 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 95 per cent is covered by soil, four per cent by rock out crops and less than one per cent by 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 44 soil phases (management units) and 5 land use classes.  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 28 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 8 per cent of the soils are moderately shallow (50-75 cm), 39 per cent moderately deep (75- 100 cm) and 48 per cent is deep to very deep (100->150cm) soils.  About 9 per cent is sandy (loamy sand), 79 per cent loamy (sandy loam and sandy clay loam) and 7 per cent has clayey (sandy clay and clay) soils at the surface.  About 73 per cent of the area has non-gravelly (<15%) soils and 22 per cent has gravelly soils (15-35 % gravel).  With respect to available water capacity 24 per cent of the area has very low (<50mm/m), 54 per cent of the area has low (51-100 mm/m), 7 per cent medium (101-150 mm/m) and 11 per cent area is very high (>200mm/m) in available water capacity.  An area of about 10 per cent has nearly level (0-1%) and 85 per cent has very gently sloping (1-3%) lands.  An area of about 32 per cent is slightly eroded (e1) and 64 per cent is moderately eroded (e2).  An area of about 6 per cent is moderately acid (pH 5.5 to 6.0), 24 per cent is slightly acid (pH6.0-6.5), 41 per cent has neutral soils, 12 per cent slightly alkaline (pH 7.3 to 7.8), 8 per cent is moderately alkaline (pH 7.8 to 8.4), 4 per cent is strongly alkaline (pH 8.4 to 9.0) and <1 per cent very strongly alkaline (pH>9.0).  The Electrical Conductivity (EC) of the soils are dominantly <2 dsm-1 indicating that soils are non saline.  Organic carbon is medium (0.5-0.75%) in 95 per cent and high (>0.75%) in <1 per cent area of the microwatershed.  Available phosphorus is medium (23-57 kg/ha) in 15 per cent and high (>57 kg/ha) in 81 per cent of the soils.  Available potassium is low (<145 kg/ha) in (3%), medium (145-337 kg/ha) in 90 per cent and high (>337 kg/ha) in 2 per cent area of the soils.  Available sulphur is low (<10 ppm) in 65 per cent, medium (10-20 ppm) in 29 per cent and high (>20 ppm) in 1 per cent area of the soils.  Available boron is low (<0.5 ppm) 68 per cent and medium (0.5-1.0 ppm) in 27 per cent area of the microwatershed.  Available iron is deficient in 19 per cent and sufficient (>4.5 ppm) in 76 per cent of the area.  Available zinc is deficient (<0.6 ppm) in 55 per cent and sufficient (>0.6 ppm) in 41 per cent of the microwatershed.  Available manganese and copper are sufficient in the entire area.  The land suitability for 28 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 168(21) 198 (28) Pomegranate 86(11) 279(35) Maize 168 (21) 198 (25) Guava 86(11) 279(35) Bajra 229(29) 200(25) Jackfruit 86(11) 279(35) Redgram 86(11) 216 (27) Jamun - 245(31) Bengal gram 14(2) 352(45) Musambi 86(11) 279(35) Groundnut 147(18) 378 (61) Lime 86(11) 279(35) Sunflower 86 (11) 216 (27) Cashew 154(20) 223(28) Cotton - 365(46) Custard apple 215(27) 536(68) Chilli 154(20) 184(23) Amla 215(27) 536 (68) Tomato 168(21) 170(22) Tamarind - 121(15) Drumstick 86(11) 475(60) Marigold 154(20) 212(27) Mulberry 86(11) 602(46) Chrysanthemum 154(20) 212 (27) Mango - 121(15) Jasmine 154(20) 212(27) Sapota 86(11) 279(35) Crossandra 154(20) 184(23)  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 104 (54.45%) men and 87 (45.55%) women among the sampled households.  The average family size of landless farmers’ was 4, marginal farmers’ was 4.8, small farmers’ was 5.4, semi medium farmers’ was 7 and medium farmers’ was 5.5.  The data indicated that, 40 (20.94%) people were in 0-15 years of age, 75 (39.27%) were in 16-35 years of age, 55 (28.80%) were in 36-60 years of age and 21 (10.99%) were above 61 years of age.  The results indicated that Tavaregere-2 had 29.32 per cent illiterates, 0.52 per cent functional literate and ITI, 45.55 per cent of them had primary school education, 13.61 per cent of them had high school education, 5.76 per cent of them had PUC education and 2.62 per cent had degree education.  The results indicate that, 80 per cent of household heads were practicing agriculture and 17.14 per cent of household heads were practicing agriculture labour.  The results indicate that agriculture was the major occupation for 15.18 per cent of the household members, 55.50 per cent were agricultural labourers, 2.09 per cent were in private service, 24.08 per cent were in students, 2.62 per cent were housewives and 0.52 per cent were in 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 45.71 per cent of the households possess thatched house, 37.14 per cent of the households possess katcha house and 20 per cent of the households possess pucca/RCC house.  The results show that 94.29 per cent of the households possess TV, 91.43 per cent of them possess mixer/grinder player, 31.43 per cent of them possess bicycle, 45.71 per cent o f the households possess motor cycle and 88.57 per cent of them possess mobile phones. The results show that the average value of television was Rs. 4,636, mixer grinder was Rs. 1,707, bicycle was 1,000, motor cycle was Rs. 33,187 and mobile phone was Rs. 1,500.  About 22.86 per cent of the households possess bullock cart, 31.43 per cent of them possess plough, 45.71 per cent of them possess sprayer, 100 per cent of them possess weeder and 2.86 per cent of them possess chaff cutter.  The results show that the average value of bullock cart was Rs. 17,625, plough was Rs. 1,730, sprayer was Rs. 2,876, weeder was Rs.57, and the average value of chaff cutter was Rs. 3,000.  The results indicate that, 25.71 per cent of the households possess bullocks, 28.57 per cent of the households possess local cow, 11.43 per cent possess buffalo and 5.71 per cent possess sheep. 2  The results indicate that, average own labour men available in the micro watershed was 2.10, average own labour (women) available was 1.9, average hired labour (men) available was 6.52 and average hired labour (women) available was 6.74.  The results indicate that, 88.57 per cent of the households opined that the hired labour was inadequate.  The results indicate that, households of the Tavaregere-2 micro-watershed possess 31.31 ha (64.21%) of dry land, 32.47 ha (32.47%) of irrigated land and 1.62 ha (3.32%) of permanent fallow land. Marginal farmers possess 4.4 ha (100%) of dry land. Small farmers possess 13.94 ha (85.74%) of dry land and 2.32 ha (14.26%) of irrigated land. Semi medium farmers possess 7.28 ha (53.96%) of dry land and 6.22 ha (46.04%) of irrigated land. Medium farmers possess 5.69 ha (38.94%) of dry land, 7.30 ha (49.97%) of irrigated land and 1.62 ha (11.09%) of permanent fallow land.  The results indicate that, the average value of dry land was Rs. 217,086.72, the average value of irrigated land was Rs. 366,206.54 and the average value of permanent fallow land was Rs. 216,125. In case of marginal famers, the average land value was Rs. 454,044.11 for dry land. In case of small famers, the average land value was Rs. 222,328.69 for dry land and Rs. 603,490.39 for irrigated land. In case of semi medium famers, the average land value was Rs. 150,944.44 for dry land and Rs. 353,776.04 for irrigated land. In case of medium farmers, the average land value was Rs. 105,480.43 for dry land, Rs. 301,386.57 for irrigated land and Rs. 216,125for permanent fallow land.  The results indicate that, there were 10 de-functioning and functioning bore wells in the micro watershed.  The results indicate that, there were 1 de-functioning and functioning bore wells in the micro watershed.  The results indicate that, 28.57 per cent of the bore well and 2.86 per cent of the open well was the irrigation source in the micro water shed.  The results indicate that, the depth of bore well was found to be 18.90 meters and 0.17 meters  The results indicate that small, semi medium and medium farmers had an irrigated area of 2.32 ha and 7.29 ha respectively.  The results indicate that, farmers have grown maize (19.95 ha), bajra (12.34 ha), groundnut (7.91 ha), mango (5.56 ha), Bengal garm (0.91 ha), cotton and paddy (0.81 ha) and sunflower (0.49 ha). Marginal farmers have grown maize, bajra, groundnut and bengal gram. Small farmers have grown maize, bajra, groundnut, mango, cotton and sunflower. Semi medium farmers have grown maize, bajra, groundnut and mango. Medium farmers have grown maize, bajra, groundnut, mango and paddy. 3  The results indicate that, the cropping intensity in Tavaregere-2 micro-watershed was found to be 73.01 per cent.  The results indicate that, 94.29 per cent of the households have bank account and savings.  The results indicate that, 94.29 per cent of the households have availed credit from different sources.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for bajra was Rs. 22307.91. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 19018.26. The net income from bajra cultivation was Rs. -3289.65. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.85.  The total cost of cultivation for groundnut was Rs. 58641.04. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 63763.38. The net income from groundnut cultivation was Rs. 5122.34. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.09.  The total cost of cultivation for maize was Rs. 29687.65. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 27748.28. The net income from maize cultivation was Rs. - 1939.38. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.93.  The total cost of cultivation for mango was Rs. 59922.80. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 459720.57. The net income from mango cultivation was Rs. 399797.77. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:7.67.  The total cost of cultivation for paddy was Rs. 74765.28. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 58045. The net income from paddy cultivation was Rs. - 16720.28. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.78.  The total cost of cultivation for sunflower was Rs. 46034.38. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 49400.00. The net income from sunflower cultivation was Rs. 3365.61. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.07.  The total cost of cultivation for cotton was Rs. 40006.43. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 98800.00. The net income from cotton cultivation was Rs. 58793.57. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:2.47.  The total cost of cultivation for Bengal gram was Rs. 52520.75. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 76067.26. The net income from Bengal gram cultivation was Rs. 23546.51. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.45.  The results indicate that, 42.86 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was adequate and 2.86 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was inadequate.  The results indicate that the annual gross income was Rs. 81,300 for landless farmers, for marginal farmers it was Rs. 63,200, for small farmers it was Rs. 84,792.31, for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 156,942.86 and for medium farmers it was Rs. 137,000.  The results indicate that the average annual expenditure is Rs. 6,359.30. For landless households it was Rs. 8,800, for marginal farmers it was Rs. 4,777.78, for 4 small farmers it was Rs. 3,840.24, for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 8,355.10 and for medium farmers it was Rs. 10,375.  The results indicate that, sampled households have grown 86 trees in their field.  The results indicate that, households have planted 9 teak, 18 neem and 2 tamarind trees in their field.  The results indicated that, households have an average investment capacity of Rs. 4,829.33 for land development, Rs. 3,531.95 for irrigation facility, Rs. 2,285.86 for improved crop production and Rs.600.09 for improved livestock management.  The results indicated that government subsidy was the source of additional investment for 77.14 per cent for land development, 42.86 per cent for irrigation facility and improved crop production and 11.43 per cent for improved livestock management.  The results indicated that, bajra was sold to the extent of 55.25 per cent, Bengal gram was sold to the extent of 68.75 per cent, cotton and mango was sold to the extent of 100 per cent, ground nut was sold to the extent of 93.06 per cent, maize was sold to the extent of 97.24 per cent, paddy was sold to the extent of 60 per cent and sunflower was sold to the extent of 87.50 per cent.  The results indicated that, about 105.71 per cent of the farmers sold their produce through regulated market.  The results indicated that, 5.71 per cent of the households used cart and 102.86 per cent of them used tractor as a mode of transportation for their agricultural produce.  The results indicated that, 82.86 per cent of the households have experienced soil and water erosion problems in the farm.  The results indicated that, 85.71 per cent have shown interest in soil test.  The results indicated that, 94.29 per cent of the households used firewood and 5.71 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 8.57 per cent of the households and bore well was the source of drinking water for 91.43 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, 51.43 per cent of the households possess sanitary toilet facility.  The results indicated that, 97.14 per cent of the sampled households possessed BPL card and 2.86 per cent of the households not possessed PDS card.  The results indicated that, 41.67 per cent of the households participated in NREGA programme.  The results indicated that, cereals were adequate for 97.14 per cent of the households, pulses were adequate for 14.29 per cent, oilseeds were adequate for 5 57.14 per cent, vegetables were adequate for 34.29 per cent, fruits were adequate for 42.86 per cent, milk were adequate for 28.57 per cent and meat was adequate for 34.29 per cent.  The results indicated that, cereals were inadequate for 27.78 per cent of the households, pulses were inadequate for 85.71per cent, oilseeds were inadequate for 20 per cent, vegetables were inadequate for 62.86 per cent, fruits were inadequate for 28.57 per cent, milk was inadequate for 40 per cent and egg were inadequate for 57.14 per cent of the households.  The results indicated that, lower fertility status of the soil was the constraint experienced by 82.86 per cent of the households, wild animal menace on farm field (31.43%),frequent incidence of pest and diseases (37.14%), inadequacy of irrigation water (28.57%), high cost of fertilizers and plant protection chemicals (40%), high rate of interest on credit (5.71%), low price for the agricultural commodities (17.4%), lack of marketing facilities in the area (20%), inadequate extension services (34.29%), lack of transport for safe transport of the agricultural produce to the market (22.86%), less rainfall (31.43%) and source of Agritechnology information (2.86%) .