LAND RESOURCE INVENTORY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF FARM HOUSEHOLDS FOR WATERSHED PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT GAJARKOT-1 (4D5B1B1b) MICROWATERSHED Gurumitkal Hobli, Yadgir Taluk and District, Karnataka

Abstract

The land resource inventory of Gajarakot-1 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 479 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 436 ha in the microwatershed is covered by soils and 43 ha 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.  Entire area in the microwatershed is suitable for agriculture.  About 65 per cent area are very shallow to shallow (<25 to 50 cm), 11 per cent area of the microwatershed has soils that are moderately shallow (50-75 cm) and 16 per cent area are moderately deep (75 - 100 cm).  About 7 per cent area in the microwatershed has sandy, 15 per cent area in loamy and 69 per cent clayey soils at the surface.  Maximum of 88 per cent area in the microwatershed is non gravelly (<15%) and 3 per cent is gravelly (15-35%).  About 11 per cent area medium (101-150 mm/m) in available water capacity, 15 per cent area low (51-100 mm/m) and 65 per cent area very low (<50 mm/m) in available water capacity.  Maximum of 90 per cent area in the microwatershed is very gently sloping (1-3% slope) and 1 per cent area is gently sloping (3-5%) lands.  An area of about 80 per cent area in the microwatershed is moderately (e2) eroded and 11 per cent area is severely (e3) eroded lands.  An area of about 64 per cent is neutral (pH 6.5-7.3) in soil reaction and 27 per cent soils is slightly alkaline (pH 7.3-7.8).  The Electrical Conductivity (EC) of entire soils of the microwatershed is dominantly <2 dsm-1indicating that the soils are non-saline.  About 4 per cent of the soils are medium (0.5-0.75%) in organic carbon and high (>0.75%) in 87 per cent area.  9 per cent area is high (>57 kg/ha) in available phosphorus, 58 per area is medium (23-57 kg/ha) and 25 per cent area is low (<23 kg/ha).  About 3 per cent is high (>337 kg/ha) in available potassium, 76 per cent is medium (145-337 kg/ha) and 11 per cent is low (<145 kg/ha).  Available sulphur is low (<10 ppm) in an area of about 3 per cent and medium (10 -20 ppm) in 88 per cent.  About 9 per cent area is low (<0.5 ppm) in available boron and 82 per cent is medium (0.5-1.0 ppm).  Available iron is sufficient (>4.5 ppm) in the entire area of the microwatershed.  Available manganese and copper are sufficient in all the soils of the microwatershed.  About 82 per cent area is deficient (<0.6 ppm) in available zinc and 10 per cent is sufficient (>0.6 ppm).  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 - 73 (15) Guava - 22(4) Maize - 126(26) Sapota - 22(4) Bajra - 73(15) Pomegranate - 22(4) Groundnut - 55(11) Musambi - 22(4) Sunflower - 22(4) Lime - 22(4) Redgram - 22(4) Amla - 73(15) Bengal gram - 72(15) Cashew - - Cotton - 72(15) Jackfruit - 22(4) Chilli - 73(15) Jamun - - Tomato - 73(15) Custard apple 22(4) 51(11) Brinjal - 73(15) Tamarind - 22(4) Onion 0.02(<1) 72(15) Mulberry - - Bhendi 0.02(<1) 72(15) Marigold - 73(15) Drumstick - 22(4) Chrysanthemum - 73(15) 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, 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 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. This would help in not only supplementing the farm income but also provide fodder and fuel and 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 95 (56.55%) men and 73 (43.45%) women among the sampled households.  The average family size of landless farmers’ was 4, marginal farmers’ was 4.8, small farmers’ was 4.6, semi medium farmers’ was 5.7 and medium farmers’ was 6.  The data indicated that, 27 (16.07%) people were in 0-15 years of age, 69 (41.07%) were in 16-35 years of age, 54 (32.14%) were in 36-60 years of age and 18 (10.71%) were above 61 years of age.  The results indicated that Gajarakot-1 had 45.24 per cent illiterates, 17.26 per cent of them had primary school, 6.55 per cent of them had middle school, 15.48 per cent of them had high school education, 4.17 per cent of them had PUC and 4.76 per cent of them had degree education.  The results indicate that, 85.71 per cent of household heads were practicing agriculture and 11.43 per cent of the household heads were agricultural labourers.  The results indicate that agriculture was the major occupation for 18.45 per cent of the household members, 59.52 per cent were agricultural labourers, 20.24 per cent were in student, 0.60 per cent were housewives and 1 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 11.43 per cent of the households possess thatched house, 71.43 per cent of the households possess katcha house and 17.14 per cent of them possess pucca/RCC house.  The results show that 80 per cent of the households possess TV, 17.14 per cent of the households possess mixer/grinder, 20 per cent of the households possess motor cycle, 2.86 per cent of the households possess auto and tempo and 88.57 per cent of the households possess mobile phones.  The results show that the average value of television was Rs. 5,428, mixer/grinder was Rs. 1,916, motor cycle was Rs. 40,428, auto was Rs. 30,000, tempo was Rs. 300,000 and mobile phone was Rs. 2,542.  About 11.43 per cent of the households possess bullock cart and weeder, 8.57 per cent of them possess plough, 2.86 per cent of them possess seed/fertilizer drill, tractor and chaff cutter, 5.71 per cent of them possess sparyer and harvester.  The results show that the average value of bullock cart was Rs. 23,750, plough was Rs. 9,000, seed/fertilizer drill was Rs. 20,000, tractor was Rs. 5000,000, sprayer was Rs. 5,000, weeder was Rs. 410, harvester was Rs. 266 and the average value of chaff cutter was Rs. 3,000. 2  The results indicate that, 22.86 per cent of the households possess bullocks and 8.57 per cent of the households possess local cow.  The results indicate that, average own labour men available in the micro watershed was 1.43, average own labour (women) available was 1.26, average hired labour (men) available was 6.37 and average hired labour (women) available was 5.80.  The results indicate that, 100 per cent of the households opined that the hired labour was inadequate.  The results indicate that, households of the Gajarakot-1 micro-watershed possess 30.28 ha (87.06 %) of dry land and 4.50 ha (12.94%) of irrigated land. Marginal farmers possess 9.48 ha (95.44%) of dry land and 0.45 ha (4.56%) of irrigated land. Small farmers possess 11.34 ha (93.34%) of dry land and 0.81 ha (6.66%) of irrigated land. Semi medium farmers possess 9.45 ha (100%) of dry land. Medium farmers possess 3.24 ha (100%) of irrigated land.  The results indicate that, the average value of dry land was Rs. 399,505.41 and the average value of irrigated land was Rs. 444,244.60. In case of marginal famers, the average land value was Rs. 759,350.99 for dry land and the average value of irrigated land was Rs. 882,142.85. In case of small famers, the average land value was Rs. 290,795.57 for dry land and Rs. 1,235,000 for irrigated land. In case of semi medium famers, the average land value was Rs. 169,178.08 for dry land. In case of medium farmers, the average land value was Rs. 185,250 for irrigated land.  The results indicate that, there were 3 functioning bore wells in the micro watershed. The results indicate that, there were 1 functioning bore wells in the micro watershed.  The results indicate that, bore well was the major irrigation source in the micro water shed for 8.57 per cent of the farmers and 2.86 per cent of the households used open well.  The results indicate that, the depth of bore well was found to be 5.57 meters.  The results indicate that, marginal, small and medium farmers had an irrigated area of 0.45 ha, 0.81 ha and 3.24 ha respectively.  The results indicate that, farmers have grown red gram (23.34 ha), cotton (6.24 ha), paddy (2.88 ha) and groundnut (2.1 ha). Marginal farmers have grown red gram, cotton, paddy and groundnut. Small farmers have grown red gram, cotton and paddy. Semi medium farmers have grown red gram and cotton. Medium farmers have grown red gram and paddy.  The results indicate that, the cropping intensity in Gajarakot-1 micro-watershed was found to be 90.70 per cent. 3  The results indicate that, 80 per cent of the households have bank account and savings. The results indicate that, 80 per cent of the households have availed credit from different sources.  The results indicate that, 7.14 per cent of the households have borrowed from commercial bank, 3.57 per cent of the households have cooperative bank and money lender and 14.29 per cent of the households have borrowed from grameena bank.  The results indicate that, the average credit amount borrowed by households in micro-watershed was Rs, 29,000.  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 unpaid their loan borrowed from institutional sources.  The results indicated that 100 per cent of the households did not repay their loan borrowed from private sources.  The results indicate that, around 16.67 per cent opined that the loan amount borrowed from helped to perform timely agricultural operations.  The results indicate that, around 100 per cent opined that the loan amount was high rate of interest.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for Cotton was Rs. 39960.78. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 54048.62. The net income from Cotton cultivation was Rs. 14087.83. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.35.  The total cost of cultivation for groundnut was Rs. 53471.45. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 89194.59. The net income from groundnut cultivation was Rs. 35723.14. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.67.  The total cost of cultivation for Red gram was Rs. 35900.64. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 68864.55. The net income from Red gram cultivation was Rs. 32963.91. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.92.  The total cost of cultivation for Paddy was Rs. 48228.58. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 50750.66. The net income from Paddy cultivation was Rs. 2522.08. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.05.  The results indicate that, 5.71 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. 58,500 for landless farmers, for marginal farmers it was Rs. 104,993.75, for small farmers it was Rs. 134,750, semi medium farmers it was Rs. 198,750 and medium farmers it was Rs. 618,800. 4  The results indicate that the average annual expenditure is Rs. 13,393.10. For landless households it was Rs. 4,055.56, for marginal farmers it was Rs. 3,833.33, for small farmers it was Rs. 12,192.71, for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 21,687.50 and medium farmers it was Rs. 198,800.  The results indicate that, sampled households have grown 45 mango trees in their field.  The results indicate that, households have planted 7 eucalyptus, 37 neem, 5 tamarind and 3 acacia trees in their field.  The results indicated that, households have an average investment capacity of Rs. 171.43 for land development and improved crop production.  The results indicated that soft loan was the source of additional investment for 8.57 per cent for land development and 5.71 per cent for improved crop production.  The results indicated that, cotton was sold to the extent of 100 per cent, groundnut was sold to the extent of 81.63 per cent, paddy was sold to the extent of 84.21 per cent and red gram to the extent of 87.38 per cent.  The results indicated that, about 17.14 per cent of the farmers sold their produce to local/village merchants and 68.57 per cent of the farmers sold their produce to regulated markets.  The results indicated that, 85.71 per cent of the households have used tractor as a mode of transportation.  The results indicated that, 80 per cent of the households have experienced soil and water erosion problems in the farm.  The results indicated that, 80 per cent have shown interest in soil test.  The results indicated that, 85.71 per cent of the households used firewood and 11.43 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 77.14 per cent and 22.86 per cent of the households used bore well 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, 57.14 per cent of the households possess sanitary toilet facility.  The results indicated that, 100 per cent of the sampled households possessed BPL cards.  The results indicated that, 82.86 per cent of the households participated in NREGA programme.  The results indicated that, cereals and pulses were adequate for 97.14 per cent of the households, oilseed were adequate for 40 per cent, vegetables were adequate for 48.57 per cent, fruits were adequate for 37.14 per cent, milk were adequate for 5 8.57 per cent, egg were adequate for 20 per cent and meat were adequate for 25.71 per cent.  The results indicated that, cereals were inadequate for 5.71 per cent of the households, pulses were inadequate for 8.57 per cent, oilseeds were inadequate for 54.29 per cent, vegetables were inadequate for 51.43 per cent, fruits were inadequate for 62.86 per cent, milk were inadequate for 74.29 per cent, egg were inadequate for 77.14 per cent and meat were inadequate for 71.43 per cent of the households.  The results indicated that, lower fertility status of the soil and wild animal menace on farm field was the constraint experienced by 80 per cent of the households, frequent incidence of pest and diseases (57.14%), inadequacy of irrigation water (31.43%), high cost of Fertilizers and plant protection chemicals (40%), high rate of interest on credit (11.43%), low price for the agricultural commodities (20%), lack of marketing facilities in the area (17.14%), inadequate extension service (14.29%), lack of transport for safe transport of the Agril produce to the market (34.29%), less rainfall (14.29%), and source of Agri-technology information (45.71%).