LAND RESOURCE INVENTORY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF FARM HOUSEHOLDS FOR WATERSHED PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT CHIKKASHINDHAG-2 (4D3A1X2d) MICRO WATERSHED Koppal Taluk and District, Karnataka

Abstract

The land resource inventory of Chikkashindhag-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 637 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 and 5 per cent by habitation and water body. The salient findings from the land resource inventory are summarized briefly below  The soils belong to 10 soil series and 23 soil phases (management units) and 5 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 27 per cent of the soils are shallow (25-50 cm), 28 per cent of the soils are moderately shallow (50-75 cm), 6 per cent of the soils are moderately deep (75- 100 cm) and 34 per cent is deep to very deep (100 to >150 cm) soils.  About 5 per cent loamy (sandy loam and sandy clay loam) and 90 per cent has clayey (sandy clay and clay) soils at the surface.  About 64 per cent of the area has non-gravelly (<15%) soils and 30 per cent has gravelly (15-35 %) soils.  With respect to available water capacity 4 per cent of the area has very low (<50mm/m), 51 per cent of the area has low (51-100 mm/m), 18 per cent medium (101-150 mm/m), 15 per cent high (151-200 mm/m) and 7 per cent very high (>200 mm/m) in available water capacity.  An area of about 21 per cent is nearly level (0-1%) and 73 per cent is very gently sloping (1-3%) lands.  An area of about 54 per cent is slightly eroded (e1) and 41 per cent is moderately eroded (e2) lands.  An area of about 2 per cent is moderately alkaline (pH 7.8-8.4), 38 per cent is strongly alkaline (pH 8.4-9.0) and 55 per cent is very strongly alkaline (pH >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 low (<0.5%) in 38 per cent, medium (0.5-0.75%) in 54 per cent and high (>0.75%) in 3 per cent area of the soils.  Available phosphorus is low (<23 kg/ha) in 31 per cent, medium (23-57 kg/ha) in 57 per cent and high (>57 kg/ha) in 6 per cent area of the microwatershed.  Available potassium is medium (145-337 kg/ha) in 64 per cent and high (>337 kg/ha) in 30 per cent area of the soils.  Available sulphur is low (<10 ppm) in 38 per cent, medium (10-20 ppm) in 54 per cent and high (>20 ppm) in 3 per cent area of the soils.  Available boron is low (<0.5 ppm) in 8 per cent, medium (0.5-1.0) in 82 per cent and high (>1.0) in 4 per cent area of the microwatershed.  Available iron is deficient (<4.5 ppm) in 92 per cent and sufficient (>4.5 ppm) in 2 per cent area of the microwatershed.  Available zinc is deficient (<0.6 ppm) in 66 per cent and sufficient (>0.6 ppm) in 28 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 44(7) 387(61) Sapota 19(3) 72(11) Maize 19(3) 412(65) Pomegranate 19(3) 230(36) Bajra 91(14) 328(51) Musambi 30(5) 218(34) Groundnut 32(5) 59(9) Lime 30(5) 218(34) Sunflower 30(5) 218(34) Amla 91(14) 340(54) Redgram 19(3) 209(33) Cashew - 59(9) Bengal gram 12(2) 419(66) Jackfruit 19(3) 72(11) Cotton 12(2) 419(66) Jamun - 229(36) Chilli 32(5) 59(9) Custard apple 103(16) 328(52) Tomato 32(5) 59(9) Tamarind - 214(34) Brinjal 59(9) 372(59) Mulberry 76(12) 161(25) Onion - 91(14) Marigold 19(3) 412(65) Bhendi - 431(68) Chrysanthemum 19(3) 412(65) Drumstick 63(10) 186(29) Jasmine 19(3) 254(40) Mango - 108(17) Crossandra 19(3) 105(17) Guava 19(3) 72(11)  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 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 105 (57.69%) men and 77 (42.31%) women among the sampled households.  The average family size of landless farmers’ was 4.2, marginal farmers’ was 5.06, small farmers’ was 4.8, semi medium farmers’ was 6 and medium farmers’ was 4.  The data indicated that, 22 (12.09%) people were in 0-15 years of age, 95 (52.2%) were in 16-35 years of age, 56 (30.77%) were in 36-60 years of age and 9 (4.95%) were above 61 years of age.  The results indicated that Chikkashindhag-2 had 25.82 per cent illiterates, 16.48 per cent of them had primary school education, 6.04 per cent of them had middle school education, 28.57 per cent of them had high school education, 10.99 per cent of them had PUC education, 0.55 per cent had ITI education, 6.59 per cent of them ha degree education and 1.10 per cent of them had degree level education.  The results indicate that, 55.56 per cent of household heads were practicing agriculture and 41.67 per cent of the household heads were agricultural labour.  The results indicate that agriculture was the major occupation for 39.56 per cent of the household members, 36.26 per cent were agricultural labourers, 2.20 per cent were private service, 15.38 per cent were students, 3.85 per cent were housewives and 2.75 per cent were children.  The results show that, 3.30 per cent of the population in the micro watershed has participated in user group and 96.70 per cent of the population in the micro watershed has not participated in any local institutions.  The results indicate that 83.33 per cent of the households possess katcha, 11.11 per cent of the households pucca/RCC and5.56 per cent of the households possess semi pacca house. The results show that 75 per cent of the households possess TV, 2.78 per cent of them possess DVD/VCD player, 58.33 per cent of them possess mixer/grinder, 44.44 per cent of them possess motor cycle and 91.67 per cent of them possess mobile phones.  The results show that the average value of television was Rs. 8,333, DVD/VCD player was Rs. 2,000, mixer grinder was Rs. 1,952, motor cycle was Rs. 42,687 and mobile phones was Rs. 1,980.  About 5.56 per cent of the households possess bullock cart, 30.56 per cent of them possess plough, 19.44 per cent of them possess sprayer and 52.78 per cent of them possess weeder.  The results show that the average value of bullock cart was Rs. 18,000, plough was Rs. 1,636, sprayer was Rs. 4,428 and weeder was Rs.75.  The results indicate that, 8.33 per cent of the households possess bullocks, 22.22 per cent of the households possess local cow, 2.78 per cent possess crossbreed cow and goat and 5.56 per cent of them possess buffalo. 2  The results indicate that, average own labour men available in the micro watershed was 2.13, average own labour (women) available was 1.29, average hired labour (men) available was 13.29 and average hired labour (women) available was 13.74.  The results indicate that 86.11 per cent of the households opined that the hired labour was adequate.  The results indicate that, households of the Chikkashindhag-2 micro-watershed possess 26.67 ha (67.76 %) of dry land and 12.69 ha (12.69 %) of irrigated land. Marginal farmers possess 4.71 ha (75.19%) of dry land and 1.55 ha (24.81%) of irrigated land. Small farmers possess 3.22 ha (52.17%) of dry land and 2.95 ha (47.83%) of irrigated land. Semi medium farmers possess 12.26 ha (69.80%) of dry land and 5.31 (30.20%) for irrigated land. Medium farmers possess 6.48 ha (69.23%) for dry land and 2.88 ha (30.77 %) for irrigated land.  The results indicate that, the average value of dry land was Rs. 401,107.91 and the average value of irrigated land was Rs. 653,939.39. In case of marginal famers, the average land value was Rs. 1,379,295.53 for dry land and Rs. 1,801,041.66 for irrigated land. In case of small famers, the average land value was Rs. 341,761.01 for dry land and Rs. 677,640.61 for irrigated land. In case of semi medium famers, the average land value was Rs. 220,099.01 for dry land and Rs. 546,376.81 for irrigated land. In case of medium farmers, the average land value was Rs. 61,750 for dry land and Rs. 208,438.81 for irrigated land.  The results indicate that, there were 15 functioning and 4 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 41.67 per cent of the farmers.  The results indicate that, the depth of bore well was found to be 44.87 meters.  The results indicate that marginal, small, semi medium and medium farmers had an irrigated area of 1.96 ha, 5 ha, 3.36 ha, 6.93 ha and 2.88 ha respectively.  The results indicate that, farmers have grown maize (23.72 ha), sunflower (3.24 ha), Bengal gram (2.83 ha), sorghum (2.43 ha), sugarcane (1.7 ha), jowar (0.81 ha), cotton (0.41 ha), bajra, cluster bean and onion (0.4 ha). Marginal farmers had grown maize, Bengal gram, cotton, bajra, cluster bean and onion. Small farmers had grown maize,. Semi medium farmers had grown maize, Bengal gram, sorghum, sugarcane, and jowar. Medium farmers had grown maize and sunflower.  The results indicate that, the cropping intensity in Chikkashindhag-2 micro-watershed was found to be 84.92 per cent.  The results indicate that, 11.11 per cent of the households have bank account. The results indicate that, 2.78 per cent of the households have availed credit from different sources.  The results indicate that, 100 per cent of the households have borrowed from cooperative and grameena bank. 3  The results indicate that, the average credit amount borrowed by households in micro-watershed was Rs, 205,000.  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 40 per cent opined that the loan amount borrowed from high rate of interest.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for bajra was Rs. 36799.97. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 31616. The net income from bajra cultivation was Rs. -5183.97. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.86.  The total cost of cultivation for Cotton was Rs. 162755.71. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 262007.31. The net income from Cotton cultivation was Rs. 99251.60. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.61.  The total cost of cultivation for Beans was Rs. 40614.69. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 88920. The net income from Beans cultivation was Rs. 48305.31. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:2.19.  The total cost of cultivation for Maize was Rs. 62559.11. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 47681.83. The net income from Maize cultivation was Rs. - 14877.27. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.76.  The total cost of cultivation for Sorghum was Rs. 24327.11. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 33962.50. The net income from Sorghum cultivation was Rs. 9635.39. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.4.  The total cost of cultivation for Bengal gram was Rs. 43641.12. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 61186.67. The net income from Bengal gram cultivation was Rs. 17545.55. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.4.  The total cost of cultivation for onion was Rs. 95996.88. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 197600. The net income from onion cultivation was Rs. 101603.12. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:2.06.  The total cost of cultivation for sunflower was Rs. 27307.87. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 46312.50. The net income from sunflower cultivation was Rs. 19004.63. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.7.  The total cost of cultivation for sugarcane was Rs. 22141.16. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 27052.38. The net income from sugarcane cultivation was Rs. 4911.22. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.22.  The results indicate that, 25 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was adequate, 22.22 green fodders was adequate, 5.56 per cent of the households opine dry fodder was in adequate and 2.78 per cent of the households opined that green fodder was inadequate. 4  The results indicate that the annual gross income was Rs. 39,533.33 for for marginal farmers, for small farmers it was Rs. 36,666.67, for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 104,375 and for medium farmers it was Rs. 110,000.  The results indicate that the average annual expenditure is Rs. 6,373.84. For marginal farmers it was Rs. 4,708.89, for small farmers it was Rs. 6,366.67, for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 7,578.13 and for medium farmers it was Rs. 30,000.  The results indicate that, households have planted 48 coconut and 2 mango trees in their field.  The results indicate that, households have planted 34 teak, 49 neem and 4 tamarind tree in their field.  The results indicated that, households have an average investment capacity of Rs. The results indicated that, households have an average investment capacity of Rs. 1,750.22 for land development, Rs. 361.11for improved crop production and Rs. 277.78 for improved crop production.  The results indicated that loan from bank was the source of additional investment for 13.51 per cent for land development and improved crop production and 8.11 per cent for irrigation facility. Own funds was the source of additional investment for 2.7 per cent for land development and improved crop production and 5.41 per cent for improved livestock management.  The results indicated that, bajra and sorghum was sold to the extent of 60 per cent, beans and Bengal gram was sold to the extent of 83.33 per cent, cotton, sugarcane and sunflower was sold to the extent of 100 per cent, maize was sold to the extent of 97.62 per cent and onion was sold to the extent of 98 per cent.  The results indicated that, about 8.33 per cent of the farmers sold their produce to agent/traders, 47.22 per cent of the farmers sold their produce to local/village merchants, 19.44 per cent of the farmers sold their produce to regulated market and 13.89 per cent of the farmers sold their produce to cooperative marketing society.  The results indicated that, 75 per cent of the households used tractor and 13.89 per cent of the households use truck as a mode of transportation for their agricultural produce.  The results indicated that, 36.11 per cent of the households have experienced soil and water erosion problems in the farm.  The results indicated that, 72.22 per cent have shown interest in soil test.  The results indicated that, 97.22 per cent of the households used firewood and 2.78 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 77.78 per cent of the households bore well and canal/nala was the source of drinking water for 11.11 per cent of the households in micro watershed.  Electricity was the major source of light for 97.22 per cent and 2.78 per cent of the households used kerosene lamp in micro watershed. 5  The results indicated that, 33.33 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, 27.78 per cent of the households participated in NREGA programme.  The results indicated that, cereals and milk were adequate for 100 per cent of the households, pulses were adequate for 91.67 per cent, oilseeds were adequate for 25 per cent, vegetables were adequate for 47.22 per cent, fruits were adequate for 16.67 per cent, egg were adequate for 80.56 per cent and meat were adequate for 77.78 per cent.  The results indicated that, pulses were inadequate for 8.33 per cent, oilseeds were inadequate for 66.67 per cent, vegetables were inadequate for 52.78 per cent, fruits were inadequate for 75 per cent, egg and meat were inadequate were 5.56 per cent of the households.  The results indicated that, oilseeds were market surplus for 8.33 per cent and fruits were market surplus for 2.78 per cent and meat were market surplus for 11.11 per cent of the households.  The results indicated that, lower fertility status of the soil water and inadequacy of irrigation water was the constraint experienced by 72.22 per cent of the households, wild animal menace on farm field (86.11%), frequent incidence of pest and diseases (69.44%), high cost of fertilizers and plant protection chemicals and high rate of interest on credit (75%), low price for the agricultural commodities(8.33%), less rainfall (22.22%) and Source of Agri-technology information (8.33%).