LAND RESOURCE INVENTORY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF FARM HOUSEHOLDS FOR WATERSHED PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT HIREBOMANHAL-1 (4D3A9O1d) MICRO WATERSHED Irakallagada Hobli, Koppal Taluk and District, Karnataka

Abstract

The land resource inventory of Hire Bamanhal-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 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 465 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 94 per cent is covered by soil, <1 per cent by rock outcrops and 6 per cent by habitation and water body. The salient findings from the land resource inventory are summarized briefly below  The soils belong to 13 soil series and 25 soil phases (management units) and 8 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 4 per cent of the soils are shallow (25-50 cm), 11 per cent of the soils are moderately shallow (50-75 cm), 31per cent moderately deep (75- 100 cm) and 47 per cent is deep to very deep (100->150cm) soils.  About <1 per cent sandy, 87 per cent loamy (sandy loam and sandy clay loam) and 7 per cent has clayey (sandy clay and clay) soils at the surface.  About 5 per cent of the area has non-gravelly (<15%) soils, 63 per cent has gravelly soils (15-35 % gravel) and 25 per cent very gravelly (35-60 %) soils.  With respect to available water capacity 30 per cent of the area has very low (<50mm/m), 30 per cent of the area has low (51-100 mm/m), 31 per cent medium (101-150 mm/m) and 2 per cent very high (>200 mm/m) in available water capacity.  An area of about 6 per cent is nearly level (0-1%), 87 per cent is very gently sloping (1-3%) and <1 per cent is gently sloping (3-5%) lands.  An area of about 42 per cent is slightly eroded (e1) and 52 per cent is moderately eroded (e2) lands.  An area of about 27 per cent is slightly alkaline (pH 7.3-7.8), 57 per cent is moderately alkaline (pH 7.8-8.4) and 9 per cent is strongly alkaline (pH 8.4-9.0) in reaction.  The Electrical Conductivity (EC) of the soils are dominantly <2 dSm-1 indicating that the soils are non saline.  Organic carbon is medium (0.5-0.75%) in 14 per cent and high (>0.75%) in 80 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 35per cent, medium (145-337 kg/ha) in 57 per cent and high (>337 kg/ha) in 1 per cent of the soils.  Available sulphur is low (<10 ppm) in 30 per cent, medium (10-20 ppm) in 55 per cent and high (>20 ppm) in 9 per cent of the soils.  Available boron is low (<0.5 ppm) in 61 per cent and medium (0.5-1.0) in 32 per cent area of the microwatershed.  Available iron is deficient (<4.5 ppm) in 11 per cent and sufficient (>4.5 ppm) in 82 per cent area of the microwatershed.  Available zinc is deficient (<0.6 ppm) in 92 per cent and sufficient (>0.6 ppm) in 1 per cent 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 16(3) 218(47) Sapota 12(3) 279(60) Maize 12(3) 221(48) Pomegranate 12(3) 289(62) Bajra 60(13) 292(63) Musambi 16(3) 285(62) Groundnut 51(11) 330(71) Lime 16(3) 285(62) Sunflower 16(3) 189(41) Amla 197(42) 218(47) Redgram 12(3) 193(42) Cashew 143(31) 144(31) Bengal gram 11(2) 247(54) Jackfruit 12(3) 279(60) Cotton 4(1) 229(49) Jamun - 300(65) Chilli 12(3) 214(46) Custard apple 198(43) 217(47) Tomato 12(3) 214(46) Tamarind - 183(40) Brinjal 191(41) 105(23) Mulberry 146(31) 214(46) Onion 191(41) 101(22) Marigold 12(3) 221(48) Bhendi 191(41) 105(23) Chrysanthemum 12(3) 221(48) Drumstick 146(31) 121(27) Jasmine 12(3) 211(45) Mango - 146(32) Crossandra 12(3) 212(45) Guava 12(3) 278(60)  Apart from the individual crop suitability, a proposed crop plan has been prepared for the 8 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 102 (58.62%) men and 72 (41.38%) women among the sampled households.  The average family size of landless farmers’ was 4.25, marginal farmers’ was 5, small farmers’ was 5.21, semi medium farmers’ was 5.3 and medium farmers’ was 5.5.  The data indicated that, 44 (25.29%) people were in 0-15 years of age, 72 (41.38%) were in 16-35 years of age, 52 (29.89%) were in 36-60 years of age and 6 (3.45%) were above 61 years of age.  The results indicated that Hire Bamanhal-1 had 28.16 per cent illiterates, 51.15 per cent of them had primary school education, 6.90 per cent of them had middle school education, 5.75 per cent of them had high school education, 3.45 per cent of them had PUC education, 0.57 per cent of them did ITI and 2.30 per cent of them had degree education.  The results indicate that, 79.41 per cent of households were practicing agriculture and 20.59 per cent of the households were agricultural labourers.  The results indicate that agriculture was the major occupation for 15.52 per cent of the household members, 56.90 per cent were agricultural laborers, 25.86 per cent were students and 1.72 per cent were children.  The results show that 98.28 per cent of the population in the micro watershed has not participated in any local institutions and 1.72 per cent of the population has participated in NGOs.  The results indicate that, 11.76 per cent of the households possess thatched house, 82.35 per cent of the households possess Katcha house and 5.88 per cent of the households possess pucca/RCC house.  The results show that 100 per cent of the households possess TV, 94.12 per cent of the households possess Mixer grinder, 23.53 per cent of the households possess bicycle, 38.24 per cent of the households possess motor cycle and 94.12 per cent of the households possess mobile phones.  The results show that the average value of television was Rs. 6911, mixer grinder was Rs.1740, bicycle was Rs. 2437, motor cycle was Rs.41923 and mobile phone was Rs.2340.  About 17.65 per cent of the households possess bullock cart, 44.12 per cent of the households possess plough, 2.94 per cent of them possess tractor, 8.82 per cent of them possess sprayer and 73.53 per cent of them possess weeder.  The results show that the average value of bullock cart was Rs.13300, the average value of plough was Rs.2166, tractor was Rs.250000, the average value of sprayer was Rs.3833 and weeder was Rs.92.  The results indicate that, 41.18 per cent of the households possess bullocks and 38.24 per cent of the households possess local cow. 2  The results indicate that, average own labour men available in the micro watershed was 1.79, average own labour (women) available was 1.65, average hired labour (men) available was 7.44 and average hired labour (women) available was 7.82.  The results indicate that, 100 per cent of the households opined that the hired labour was inadequate.  The results indicate that, households of the Hire Bamanhal-1 micro-watershed possess 54.81 ha (94.03%) of dry land and 3.48 ha (5.97%) of irrigated land. Marginal farmers possess 3.19 ha (100%) of dry land. Small farmers possess 20.06 ha (97.43%) of dry land and 0.53 ha (2.57%) of irrigated land. Semi medium farmers possess 21.85 ha (88.10%) of dry land and 2.95 per cent (11.90%) of irrigated land. Medium farmers possess 9.71 ha (100%) dry land.  The results indicate that, the average value of dry land was Rs. 186,927.79 and average value of irrigated land was Rs. 516,976.75. In case of marginal famers, the average land value was Rs. 438,276.29 for dry land. In case of small famers, the average land value was Rs. 259,108.33 for dry land and was Rs. 1,131,297.76 for irrigated land. In case of semi medium famers, the average land value was Rs. 130,409.41 for dry land and Rs. 406,584.36 for irrigated land. In case of medium famers, the average land value was Rs. 82,333.33 for dry land.  The results indicate that, there were 7 functioning and 7 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 20.59 per cent of the farmers.  The results indicate that, the depth of bore well was found to be 10.49 meters.  The results indicate that, small, semi medium and medium farmers had irrigated area of 0.53 ha, 2.02 ha and 4.86 ha respectively.  The results indicate that, farmers have grown bajra (17.64 ha), maize (33.21 ha), sunflower (4.86 ha), cotton (0.81 ha) and jowar (1.62 ha).  Marginal farmers have grown maize and bajra. Small farmers have grown bajra, sunflower and maize. Semi medium farmers have grown bajra, maize, sunflower and jowar. Medium farmers have grown maize, bajra, sunflower and cotton.  The results indicate that, the cropping intensity in Hire Bamanhal-1 micro-watershed was found to be 77.58 per cent. In case of marginal farmers it was 100 per cent, small farmers it was 93.66 per cent, in case of semi medium farmers it was 70.04 and medium farmers it was 66.67 per cent.  The results indicate that, 85.29 per cent of the households have bank account and 85.29 per cent have savings.  The results indicate that, 85.29 per cent of the households have availed credit from different sources.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for Cotton was Rs. 29765.11. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 74100. The net income from Cotton cultivation was Rs. 44334.89. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:2.49. 3  The total cost of cultivation for Sunflower was Rs. 25012.23. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 40909.38. The net income from Sunflower cultivation was Rs. 15897.14. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.64.  The total cost of cultivation for maize was Rs. 29113.27. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 34584.67. The net income from maize cultivation was Rs. 5471.40. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.19.  The total cost of cultivation for bajra was Rs. 24298.39. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 21902.28. The net income from bajra cultivation was Rs. -2396.11. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.9.  The total cost of cultivation for Jowar was Rs. 15879.95. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 16549. The net income from Jowar cultivation was Rs. 669.05. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.04.  The results indicate that, 17.65 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was adequate and 32.35 per cent opined that dry fodder was inadequate.  The results indicate that the average annual gross income was Rs. 15,750 for landless farmers, for marginal farmers it was Rs. 51,650, for small farmers it was Rs. 48,328.57, for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 78,060 and for medium farmers it was Rs. 172,400.  The results indicate that the average annual expenditure is Rs. 4,525.21. For landless households it was Rs. 1,312.50, for marginal farmers it was Rs. 5,250, for small farmers it was Rs. 1,548.47, for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 3,392.86 and for medium farmers it was Rs. 36,000.  The results indicate that, households have planted 6 coconut trees and 2 mango trees in the field.  The results indicate that, households have planted 67 neem trees and 3 tamarind trees in their fields.  The results indicate that, the average additional investment capacity with the households for land development was Rs. 7,000, for improved crop production Rs. 411.76 and for irrigation facility Rs. 705.88.  The results indicate that, Government subsidy was the source of additional investment for 2.86 per cent for land development and 2.86 per cent for irrigation facility. Loan from bank was the source of additional investment for 2.86 per cent for land development. Own funds was the source of additional investment for 5.71 per cent for land development and 2.86 per cent for irrigation facility. Soft loan was the source of additional investment for 71.43 per cent for land development, 5.71 per cent for irrigation facility and another 5.71 per cent for improved crop production.  The results indicated that, bajra was sold to the extent of 64.68 per cent, jowar to the extent of 75 per cent, cotton, maize and sunflower were sold to the extent of 100 per cent. 4  The results indicated that, about 111.76 per cent of the famers have sold their produce in regulated markets and 5.88 per cent of the farmers have sold to local/village merchants.  The results indicated that, 114.71 per cent of the households have used tractor and 2.94 per cent of them have carried head loads as a mode of transportation for their agricultural produce.  The results indicated that, 8.82 per cent of the households have experienced soil and water erosion problems in the farm i.e., 25 per cent of the marginal farmers, 7.14 per cent of the small farmers and 10 per cent of semi medium farmers have experienced soil and water erosion problems.  The results indicated that, 88.24 per cent have shown interest in soil test.  The results indicated that, 100 per cent of the households used firewood as a source of fuel.  The results indicated that, bore well was the major source of drinking water for 35.29 per cent of the households and piped supply was the source of drinking water for 64.71 per cent of the households 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, 100 per cent of the households possess sanitary toilet.  The results indicated that, 97.06 per cent of the sampled households possessed BPL card and 2.94 per cent of the households did not possess any PDS cards.  The results indicated that, 23.53 per cent of the households participated in NREGA programme.  The results indicated that, cereals were adequate for 100 per cent of the households, pulses were adequate for 88.24 per cent, oilseeds were adequate for 29.41 per cent, vegetables were adequate for 47.06 per cent, fruits were adequate for 47.06 per cent, milk was adequate for 44.12 per cent and eggs were adequate for 32.35 per cent.  The results indicated that, pulses were inadequate for 11.76 per cent of the households, oilseeds were inadequate for 61.76 per cent, vegetables were inadequate for 50 per cent, fruits were inadequate for 26.47 per cent, eggs were inadequate for 58.82 per cent and milk was inadequate for 26.47 per cent of the households.  The results indicated that, lower fertility status of the soil was the constraint experienced by 88.24 per cent of the households, wild animal menace on farm field (85.29%), frequent incidence of pest and diseases (52.94%), inadequacy of irrigation water (8.82%), high cost of fertilizers and plant protection chemicals (41.18%), high rate of interest on credit (2.94%), low price for the agricultural commodities (14.71%), lack of marketing facilities in the area (14.71%), lack of transport for safe transport of the agricultural produce to the market (35.29%), inadequate extension services (11.76%), less rainfall (41.18%) and source of agri-technology information (14.71%).