LAND RESOURCE INVENTORY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF FARM HOUSEHOLDS FOR WATERSHED PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT CHUKKANAKALLU-2 (4D4A1Y1a) MICROWATERSHED Koppal Taluk & District, Karnataka

Abstract

The land resource inventory of Chukkanakallu-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 518 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 68 per cent is covered by soil, 1 per cent by rock outcrops and 31 per cent by habitation and water body. The salient findings from the land resource inventory are summarized briefly below  The soils belong to 9 soil series and 20 soil phases (management units) and 6 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 8 per cent of the soils are shallow (25-50 cm), 12 per cent of the soils are moderately shallow (50-75 cm), 11 per cent of the soils are moderately deep (75- 100 cm) and 37 per cent is deep to very deep (100 to >150 cm) soils.  About 14 per cent loamy (sandy loam and sandy clay loam) and 54 per cent has clayey (sandy clay and clay) soils at the surface.  About 45 per cent of the area has non-gravelly (<15%) soils, 19 per cent has gravelly (15-35 %) and 4 per cent has very gravelly (35-60 %) soils.  With respect to available water capacity 5 per cent of the area has very low (<50mm/m), 36 per cent of the area has low (51-100 mm/m), 11 per cent medium (101-150 mm/m), 4 per cent high (151-200 mm/m) and 11 per cent very high (>200 mm/m) in available water capacity.  An area of about 17 per cent is nearly level (0-1%) and 51 per cent is very gently sloping (1-3%) lands.  An area of about 37 per cent is slightly eroded (e1) and 30 per cent is moderately eroded (e2) lands.  An area of about 39 per cent is slightly alkaline (pH 7.3-7.8), 8 per cent is moderately alkaline (pH 7.8-8.4), 9 per cent is strongly alkaline (pH 8.4-9.0) and 12 per cent is very strongly alkaline (pH >9.0) in reaction.  The Electrical Conductivity (EC) of the soils are <2 dSm-1 indicating that the soils are non saline.  Organic carbon is medium (0.5-0.75%) in 47 per cent and high (>0.75%) in 21 per cent area of the soils.  Available phosphorus is medium (23-57 kg/ha) in the entire area of the microwatershed.  Available potassium is low (<145 kg/ha) in 25 per cent, medium (145-337 kg/ha) in 41 per cent and high (>337 kg/ha) in 1 per cent area of the soils.  Available sulphur is low (<10 ppm) in 67 per cent and medium (10-20 ppm) in <1 per cent area of the soils.  Available boron is low (<0.5 ppm) in 2 per cent and medium (0.5-1.0) in 65 per cent area of the microwatershed.  Available iron is deficient (<4.5 ppm) in 56 per cent and sufficient (>4.5 ppm) in 12 per cent area of the microwatershed.  Available zinc is sufficient (>0.6 ppm) in the entire area of the microwatershed.  Available manganese and copper are sufficient in the entire area of the microwatershed.  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 65(13) 216(42) Sapota 36(7) 94(18) Maize 16(3) 266(52) Pomegranate 36(7) 210(41) Bajra 36(7) 274(53) Musambi 65(13) 181(35) Groundnut - 58(11) Lime 65(13) 181(35) Sunflower 65(13) 181(35) Amla 36(7) 273(53) Redgram 36(7) 163(32) Cashew - 130(25) Bengal gram 29(6) 280(54) Jackfruit 36(7) 94(18) Cotton 65(13) 216(42) Jamun 36(7) 154(30) Chilli 16(3) 149(29) Custard apple 65(13) 244(47) Tomato 16(3) 149(29) Tamarind 36(7) 153(30) Brinjal 94(18) 188(37) Mulberry 16(3) 230(45) Onion 94(18) 71(14) Marigold 16(3) 265(52) Bhendi 94(18) 188(37) Chrysanthemum 16(3) 265(52) Drumstick 36(7) 210(41) Jasmine 16(3) 149(29) Mango 36(7) 124(24) Crossandra 36(7) 176(34) Guava 20(4) 110(21)  Apart from the individual crop suitability, a proposed crop plan has been prepared for the 6 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 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 78 (57.35 %) men and 58 (42.65 %) were women among the sampled households.  The average family size of landless’ was 2.8, marginal farmers’ was 4.2, small farmers’ was 4.3, semi medium farmers’ was 4 and medium farmers’ was 4.5.  The data indicated that, 15 (11.03 %) people were in 0-15 years of age, 51 (37.5 %) were in 16-35 years of age, 57 (41.91 %) were in 36-60 years of age and 13 (9.56 %) were above 61 years of age.  The results indicated that Chukkanakallu-2 had 37.50 per cent illiterates, 34.56 per cent of them had primary school education, 7.35 per cent of them had middle school education, 10.29 per cent of them had high school education, 2.94 per cent of them had PUC education, 1.47 per cent of them had Diploma and degree education and 2.21 per cent of them had masters education.  The results indicate that, 91.18 per cent of household heads were practicing agriculture and 5.88 per cent of the household heads were agricultural laborers. The results indicate that agriculture was the major occupation for 23.53 per cent of the household members, 67.65 per cent were agricultural laborers, 1.47 per cent were in government service, 6.62 per cent were students and 0.74 per cent were children.  The results show that, 100 per cent of the population in the micro watershed has not participated in any of the institution.  The results indicate that 82.35 per cent of the households possess katcha house and 17.65 per cent of them possess pucca/RCC house.  The results show that 55.88 per cent of the households possess TV, 70.59 per cent of them possess mixer/grinder, 5.88 per cent of them possess bicycle, 32.35 per cent of the households possess motor cycle, 2.94 per cent of the households possess auto and 67.65 per cent of the households possess mobile phones.  The results show that the average value of television was Rs 5,515, mixer/grinder was Rs 1,875, bicycle was Rs 2,000, motor cycle was Rs. 49,272, auto was Rs. 200,000 and mobile phone was Rs. 2,336.  About 5.88 per cent of the households possess bullock cart and thresher, 52.94 per cent of them possess plough, 8.82 per cent of them possess sprayer, 52.94 per cent of them possess weeder and 2.94 per cent of them possess Cultivator.  The results show that the average value of bullock cart was Rs. 10,000, plough was Rs. 1,877, sprayer was Rs. 1,550, average value of weeder was Rs. 123, average value of thresher was 190 and the average value of Cultivator was Rs. 32.  The results indicate that, 17.65 per cent of the households possess bullocks, 14.71 per cent of the households possess local cow and 2.94 per cent of the households possess Buffalo. 2  The results indicate that, average own labour men available in the micro watershed was 1.93, average own labour (women) available was 1.10, average hired labour (men) available and average hired labour (women) available was 15.86. The results indicate that, 85.29 per cent of the households opined that the hired labour was inadequate.  The results indicate that, households of the Chukkanakallu-2 micro-watershed possess 26.24 ha (72.73%) of dry land, 7.36 ha (20.39 %) of irrigated land and 2.48 ha (6.88%) of permanent fallow land. Marginal farmers possess 5.92 ha (100%) of dry land. Small farmers possess 12.27 ha (78.85 %) of dry land, 0.81 ha (5.20 %) of irrigated land and 2.48 ha (15.95%). Semi medium farmers possess 8.05 ha (86.22 %) of dry land and 1.29 ha (13.78%) of irrigated land. Medium farmers possess 5.26 ha (100 %) of irrigated land.  The results indicate that, the average value of dry land was Rs. 350,462.68, the average value of irrigated land was Rs.230,968.10 and the average value of permanent fallow land Rs. 201,468.19. In case of marginal famers, the average land value was Rs. 675,324.68 for dry land. In case of small famers, the average land value was Rs. 325,965.03 for dry land, Rs. 247,000 for irrigated land and Rs. 201,468.19 for permanent fallow land. In case of semi medium famers, the average land value was Rs. 148,944.72 for dry land and Rs. 388,364.77 for irrigated land. In case of medium farmers, Rs.190,000 for irrigated land.  The results indicate that, there were 4 functioning and 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 11.76 per cent of the farmers.  The results indicate that, the depth of bore well was found to be 3.59 meters.  The results indicate that semi medium and medium farmers had an irrigated area of 1.29 ha and 2.83 ha respectively.  The results indicate that, farmers have grown maize (22.36 ha), Bajra (7.36 ha), Sunflower (2.83 ha) and Wheat (3.34 ha). Marginal farmers have grown maize, bajra and sunflower. Small farmers have grown maize, bajra and cowpea. Semi medium farmers have grown maize and bajra. Medium farmers have grown maize and sunflower.  The results indicate that, the cropping intensity in Chukkanakallu-2 micro-watershed was found to be 100 per cent.  The results indicate that, 79.14 per cent of the households have bank account and savings.  The results indicate that, 79.41 per cent of the households have availed credit from different sources.  The results indicate that, 7.41 per cent of the households have borrowed from commercial bank. 3  The results indicate that, the average credit amount borrowed by households in micro-watershed was Rs, 5,000.  The results indicate that, 100 per cent of the households borrowed from institutional sources for the purpose of agricultural production.  The results indicated that 100 per cent of the households did not repay their loan borrowed from institutional sources.  The results indicate that, around 100 per cent opined that helped to perform timely agricultural operation.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for bajra was Rs. 15704.22. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 24107.32. The net income from bajra cultivation was Rs. 8403.10. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1: 1:1.54.  The total cost of cultivation for Sunflower was Rs. 25491.42. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 40617.78. The net income from Sunflower cultivation was Rs. 15126.36. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.59.  The total cost of cultivation for maize was Rs. 44628.49. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 40066.01. The net income from maize cultivation was Rs. - 4562.48. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.9.  The total cost of cultivation for cowpea was Rs. 11809.29. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 37050. The net income from cowpea cultivation was Rs. 25240.71. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:3.14.  The results indicate that, 2.94 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was inadequate and green fodder was adequate.  The results indicate that the annual gross income was Rs. 43,833.33 for landless households, for marginal farmers it was Rs. 32,400, for small farmers it was Rs. 68,916.67, for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 77,500 and for medium farmers it was Rs. 115,000.  The results indicate that the average annual expenditure is Rs. 4,806.06. For landless households it was Rs. 7,666.67, for marginal farmers it was Rs. 2,346.67, for small farmers it was Rs. 2,751.89, for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 7,104.17 and for medium farmers it was Rs. 16,250.  The results indicate that, sampled households have grown 1 coconut, 2 guava and 4 mango trees in their field and1 in backyard.  The results indicate that, households have planted 22 teak, 50 neem and 1 tamarind trees in their field and also 1 neem trees in their backyard.  The results indicated that, Bajra were sold to the extent of 79.17 per cent, cowpea were sold to the extent of 60 per cent, maize were sold to the extent of 98.33 per cent and sunflower were sold to the extent of 92.86 per cent.  The results indicated that, about 73.53 per cent of the farmers sold their produce to regulated market. The results indicated that 79.41 per cent of the households used tractor as a mode of transportation for their agricultural produce. 4  The results indicated that, 20.59 per cent of the households have experienced soil and water erosion problems in the farm.  The results indicated that, 76.47 per cent have shown interest in soil test.  The results indicated that, 100 per cent of the households used firewood, 2.86 per cent of the households used LPG as a source of fuel and 2.86 per cent of the households used Kerosene.  The results indicated that, piped supply was the source of drinking water for 2.94 per cent of the households and bore well was the major source of drinking water for 97.06 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, 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, 23.53 per cent of the households participated in NREGA programme.  The results indicated that, cereals were adequate for 76.47 per cent of the households, pulses were adequate for 70.59 per cent, oilseeds were adequate for 20.59 per cent, vegetables and egg were adequate for 14.71 per cent, fruits were adequate for 44.12 per cent, milk was adequate for 17.65 per cent and meat was adequate for 8.82 per cent.  The results indicated that, Cereals were inadequate for 11.76 per cent of the households, pulses were inadequate for 17.65 per cent of the households, oilseeds were inadequate for 67.65 per cent, vegetables were inadequate for 70.59 per cent, fruits was inadequate for 41.18 per cent, milk were inadequate for 44.12 per cent and egg and meat was inadequate for 70.59 per cent of the households.  The results indicated that, cereals, pulses, oilseeds, vegetables, milk and egg were market surplus for 11.76 per cent and fruits and meat were market surplus for 14.71 per cent of the households.  The results indicated that, lower fertility status of the soil was the constraint experienced by 76.41 per cent of the households, wild animal menace on farm field (79.41%), frequent incidence of pest and diseases (20.59%), inadequacy of irrigation water and inadequate extension services (5.88%), high cost of fertilizers and plant protection chemicals (20.59%), high rate of interest on credit and low price for the agricultural commodities (8.82%), lack of transport for safe transport of the agricultural produce to the market (23.53%), less rainfall (26.47%) and source of agri-technology information (14.71%).