LAND RESOURCE INVENTORY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF FARM HOUSEHOLDS FOR WATERSHED PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT MASKANAHALLI-2 (4D5B1J2a) MICROWATERSHED Hatthakuni & Yadgir Hobli, Yadgir Taluk and District, Karnataka

Abstract

The land resource inventory of Maskanahalli-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 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 668 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 506 ha in the microwatershed is covered by soils, 138 ha by rock outcrops and about 24 ha by others (habitation and water bodies). The salient findings from the land resource inventory are summarized briefly below.  The soils belong to 9 soil series and 14 soil phases (management units) and 8 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 30 per cent area of the microwatershed has soils that are moderately deep to very deep (75 - >150 cm) and 46 per cent soils are shallow to moderately shallow (25 - 75 cm).  About 3 per cent area in the microwatershed has sandy soils, 60 per cent soils are loamy and 12 per cent clayey soils at the surface.  About 55 per cent of the microwatershed area is non gravelly (<15%) and 21 per cent of the microwatershed area is gravelly (15 – 35%).  About 16 per cent area of the microwatershed is very high (>200 mm/m) in available water capacity,11 per cent is medium(101-150 mm/m), 19 per cent is low (51- 100 mm/m) and 30 per cent is very low (<50 mm/m).  Entire area of the microwatershed falls under very gently sloping (1-3% slope) lands.  Entire area of the microwatershed has moderately (e2) eroded lands.  An area of about 14 per cent soils are slightly acid (pH 6.0-6.5) in soil reaction, an area of 58 per cent is neutral (pH 6.5-7.3) and 4 per cent soils are slightly alkaline (pH 7.3-7.8).  The Electrical Conductivity (EC) of the soils in the entire area of the microwatershed is dominantly <2 dsm-1indicating that the soils are non-saline.  Available organic carbon is high (>0.75) in an area of 3 per cent and medium (0.5- 0.75%) in an area of 72 per cent.  About 2 per cent is low (<23 kg/ha) in available phosphorus, 73 per cent is medium (23-57 kg/ha) and high (>57 kg/ha) in an area of one per cent.  About 42 per cent is low (145 kg/ha) in available potassium and 33 per cent is medium (145-337 kg/ha).  Available sulphur is low (<10 ppm) in an area of about 36 per cent and medium (10 -20 ppm) in 40 per cent.  Available boron content is low (<0.5 ppm) in the entire area of the microwatershed.  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.  Available zinc is deficient (<0.6 ppm) in an area of about 65 per cent and sufficient (>0.6 ppm) in an area of about 11 per cent.  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 109(16) 197(29) Guava - 89(13) Maize - 306(46) Sapota - 89(13) Bajra - 305(46) Pomegranate - 198(30) Groundnut - 117(18) Musambi - 198(30) Sunflower 109(16) 89(13) Lime - 198(30) Red gram - 89(13) Amla 128(19) 177(26) Bengal gram 109(16) 127(19) Cashew - 19(3) Cotton 109(16) 127(19) Jackfruit - 89(13) Chilli - 306(46) Jamun - 109(16) Tomato - 197(29) Custard apple 198(30) 107(16) Brinjal 19(3) 286(43) Tamarind - 109(16) Onion 89(13) 216(32) Mulberry - 89(13) Bhendi 89(13) 216(32) Marigold - 306(46) Drumstick - 198(30) Chrysanthemum - 306(46) 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 horticulture crops.  Maintaining soil-health is vital to 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 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 sub marginal 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 102 (61.45%) men and 64 (38.55%) women among the sampled households.  The average family size of landless farmers’ was 5.5, marginal farmers’ was 4.4, small farmers’ was 4.9, semi medium farmers’ was 5.6 and medium farmers’ was 3.7.  The data indicated that, 18 (16.87%) people were in 0-15 years of age, 76 (45.78%) were in 16-35 years of age, 51 (30.72%) were in 36-60 years of age and 11 (6.63%) were above 61 years of age.  The results indicated that Maskanahalli-2 had 64.42 per cent illiterates, 20.48 per cent of them had primary school, 5.42 per cent of them had middle school, 3.61 per cent of them had high school education, 2.41 per cent of them had PUC and 1.2 per cent of them had degree education.  The results indicate that, 91.43 per cent of household heads were practicing agriculture, 8.57 per cent of the household heads were agricultural laborers and 2.86 per cent of the household’s heads were General Labour and housewives.  The results indicate that agriculture was the major occupation for 72.29 per cent of the household members, 5.42 per cent were agricultural laborers, 1.81 per cent were in general labour and housewives, 0.60 per cent were private service, 14.46 per cent were student and 2.41 per cent were children.  The results show that, 1.2 per cent of the population in the micro watershed has participated in raitha sangha and 98.80 per cent of the population in the micro watershed has not participated in local institution.  The results indicate that 31.43 per cent of the households possess thatched, 54.29 per cent of the households possess katcha house and 14.29 per cent of the households possess pucca/RCC house.  The results show that 71.43 per cent of the households possess TV, 57.14 per cent of the households possess mixer/grinder, 5.71 per cent of the households possess bicycle and auto, 28.57 per cent of the households possess motor cycle, 2.86 per cent of the households possess tempo and computer/ laptop, 97.14 per cent of the households possess mobile phones.  The results show that the average value of television was Rs. 5,456, mixer/grinder was Rs. 1,707, bicycle was Rs. 3,000, motor cycle was Rs. 42,800, auto was Rs. 57,500, tempo was Rs. 200,000, mobile phone was Rs. 1,814 and computer/laptop was Rs. 10,000.  About 14.29 per cent each of the households possess bullock cart, 57.14 per cent of the households possess plough, 5.71 per cent of the households possess seed/fertilizer drill, 20 per cent of the households possess sprayer, 91.43 per cent of the households possess weeder and 25.71per cent of the households possess thresher. 2  The results show that the average value of bullock cart was Rs. 13,560, plough was Rs. 1,945, seed/ fertilizer drill was Rs. 3,550, sprayer was Rs. 4,100, weeder was Rs. 89 and the average value of thresher was Rs. 158.  The results indicate that, 40 per cent of the households possess bullocks, 20 per cent of the households possess local cow, 5.71 per cent of the households possess buffalo and 2.86 per cent of the households possess sheep.  The results indicate that, average own labour men available in the micro watershed was 1.79, average own labour (women) available was 1.82, average hired labour (men) available was 11.12 and average hired labour (women) available was 11.30.  The results indicate that, 100 per cent of the households opined that the hired labour was adequate.  The results indicate that, households of the Maskanahalli-2 micro-watershed possess 25.16 ha (58.57%) of dry land and 17.79 ha (41.43%) of irrigated land. Marginal farmers possess 7.36 ha (100 %) of dry land. Small farmers possess 17.8 ha (100%) of dry land. Semi medium farmers possess 6.46 ha (100%) of irrigated land. Medium farmers possess 11.34 ha (100%) of irrigated land.  The results indicate that, the average value of dry land was Rs. 381,467.19 and the average value of irrigated land was Rs. 306,151.92. In case of marginal famers, the average land value was Rs. 624,972.49 for dry land. In case of small famers, the average land value was Rs. 280,809.46 for dry land. In case of semi medium famers, the average land value was Rs. 479,761.91 for irrigated land. In case of medium farmers, the average land value was Rs. 207,229.56 for irrigated land.  The results indicate that, there were 7 functioning bore wells in the micro watershed.  The results indicate that, bore well was the major irrigation source in the micro water shed for 20 per cent of the farmers.  The results indicate that, the depth of bore well was found to be 17.7 meters.  The results indicate that, small, semi medium and medium farmers had an irrigated area of 1.62 ha, 3.72 ha and 6.48 ha respectively.  The results indicate that, farmers have grown groundnut (18.93 ha), cotton (11.96 ha), horse gram (5.98 ha), red gram (2.49 ha), green gram (1.86 ha), mandarin (1.62 ha), groundnut (1.21 ha) and paddy (0.81 ha). Marginal farmers have grown groundnut, cotton, red gram and green gram. Small farmers have grown groundnut, cotton, horse gram, green gram and mandarin. Semi medium farmers have grown groundnut and horse gram. Medium farmers have grown groundnut, cotton and paddy.  The results indicate that, the cropping intensity in Maskanahalli-2 micro-watershed was found to be 85.8 per cent.  The results indicate that, 57.14 per cent of the households have bank account.  The results indicate that, 62.86 per cent of the households have availed credit from different sources. 3  The results indicate that, 4.55 per cent of the households have borrowed from cooperative bank.  The results indicate that, the average credit amount borrowed by households in micro-watershed was Rs, 2,727.27.  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 not paid their loan borrowed from institutional sources.  The results indicate that, 83.33 per cent opined that the loan amount borrowed from forced to sell the produce at low price to repay loan in time.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for Cotton was Rs. 45643.18. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 82923.49. The net income from Cotton cultivation was Rs. 37280.31. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.82.  The total cost of cultivation for groundnut was Rs. 33417.23. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 57542.62. The net income from groundnut cultivation was Rs. 24125.39. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.72.  The total cost of cultivation for Red gram was Rs. 30757.10. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 42762.27. The net income from Red gram cultivation was Rs. 12005.17. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.39.  The total cost of cultivation for Paddy was Rs. 36668.43. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 172900. The net income from Paddy cultivation was Rs. 136231.57. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:4.72.  The total cost of cultivation for Green gram was Rs. 19353.24. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 19042.22. The net income from Green gram cultivation was Rs. -3112. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.98.  The total cost of cultivation for Maize was Rs. 195857. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 24082.50. The net income from Maize cultivation was Rs. 4497.43. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.23.  The total cost of cultivation for Horse gram was Rs. 17866.94. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 40883.93. The net income from Horse gram cultivation was Rs. 23016.99. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:2.29.  The results indicate that, 57.14 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was adequate, 22.86 per cent of the households opined that green fodder was adequate and 2.86 per cent of the households opined that green fodder was inadequate.  The results indicate that the annual gross income was Rs. 72,416.67 for marginal farmers, for small farmers it was Rs. 139,481.67, semi medium farmers it was Rs. 112,600 and medium farmers it was Rs. 143,550. 4  The results indicate that the average annual expenditure is Rs. 6,953.17. For marginal farmers it was Rs. 4,625, for small farmers it was Rs. 10,231.48, for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 5,666.67 and medium farmers it was Rs. 9,187.50.  The results indicate that, households have planted 4 coconut, 2 lemon and 12 mango trees in their field.  The results indicate that, households have planted 1 eucalyptus, 59 neem, 5 tamarind and 4 banyan trees in their field.  The results indicated that, households have an average investment capacity of Rs. 7,686.14 for land development; households have an average investment capacity of Rs. 371.43 for irrigation facility, households have an average investment capacity of Rs. 2,657.14 for improved crop production and households have an average investment capacity of Rs. 800 for improved livestock management.  The results indicated that loan from bank was the source of additional investment for 65.71 per cent for land development 5.71 per cent for irrigation facility, 45.71 per cent for improved crop production and 14.29 per cent for improved livestock management.  The results indicated that, cotton was sold to the extent of 100 per cent, green gram was sold to the extent of 71.43 per cent, groundnut was sold to the extent of 86.63 per cent, horse gram was sold to the extent of 66.67 per cent, maize was sold to the extent of 93.33 per cent, paddy was sold to the extent of 60 per cent and red gram was sold to the extent of 68.75 per cent.  The results indicated that, about 105.71 per cent of the farmers sold their produce to local/village merchant.  The results indicated that, 102.86 per cent of the households have used tractor and 2.86 per cent of the households have used cart as a mode of transportation.  The results indicated that, 88.57 per cent of the households have experienced soil and water erosion problems in the farm.  The results indicated that, 91.43 per cent have shown interest in soil test.  The results indicated that, 97.14 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 100 per cent of the households in the micro watershed.  Electricity was the major source of light for 97.41 per cent of the households in micro watershed.  The results indicated that, 28.57 per cent of the households possess sanitary toilet facility.  The results indicated that, 97.14 per cent of the sampled households possessed BPL cards.  The results indicated that, 82.86 per cent of the households participated in NREGA programme. 5  The results indicated that, cereals and pulses were adequate for 94.29 per cent of the households, oilseed were adequate for 80 per cent, vegetables were adequate for 68.57 per cent, fruits were adequate for 5.71 per cent, milk were adequate for 80 per cent, egg were adequate for 22.86 per cent and meat were adequate for 2.86 per cent.  The results indicated that, pulses were inadequate for 2.86 per cent, oilseeds and milk were inadequate for 14.29 per cent, vegetables were inadequate for 28.57 per cent, fruits were inadequate for 88.57 per cent, egg were inadequate for 68.57 per cent and meat were inadequate for 91.43 per cent of the households.  The results indicated that, lower fertility status of the was the constraint experienced by 91.43 per cent of the households, wild animal menace on farm field (88.57%), frequent incidence of pest and diseases, high cost of fertilizer and plant protection chemicals and lack of marketing facilities in the area (85.71%), Inadequacy of irrigation water (17.41%), (80%), high rate of interest on credit (80%), low price for the agricultural commodities (82.86%), inadequate extension service (5.71%), Lack of transport for safe transport of the Agril produce to the market (71.43%) and Source of Agri-technology information(2.86%)