LAND RESOURCE INVENTORY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF FARM HOUSEHOLDS FOR WATERSHED PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT YAADAHALLI -1 (4D5B1E2f) MICROWATERSHED Hattakuni Hobli, Yadgir Taluk and District, Karnataka

Abstract

The land resource inventory of Yaadahalli-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 702 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 626 ha (89%) in the microwatershed is covered by soils and 76 ha (11%) by others (habitation and water body). The salient findings from the land resource inventory are summarized briefly below.  The soils belong to 5 soil series and 11 soil phases (management units) and 2 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 80 per cent area of the microwatershed has soils that are very deep (>150 cm), 4 per cent soils are deep (100 to 150 cm), 3 per cent soils are moderately deep (75-100 cm) and 2 per cent soils are shallow (25-50 cm).  About 17 per cent area in the microwatershed has loamy soils and 72 per cent clayey soils at the surface.  About 87 per cent area of the microwatershed has non gravelly (<15%) and 2 per cent has very gravelly (35-60%) at the surface.  About 2 per cent area of the microwatershed is very low (<50 mm/m) in available water capacity, 1 per cent low (51-100 mm/m), 3 per cent medium (101-150 mm/m) and 83 per cent area is very high (>200 mm/m) in available water capacity.  An area of about 40 per cent is nearly level (0-1%) and 49 per cent area in the microwatershed has very gently sloping (1-3%) lands.  An area of about 43 per cent is slightly eroded (e1) and 46 per cent is moderately (e2) eroded in the microwatershed.  An area of about <1 per cent is strongly acid (pH 5.0-5.5), 1 per cent is moderately acid (pH 5.5-6.0), 2 per cent is slightly acid (pH 6.0-6.5), 23 per cent is neutral (pH 6.5-7.3), 39 per cent is slightly alkaline (pH 7.3-7.8) and 24 per cent is moderately alkaline (pH 7.8-8.4) in reaction.  The Electrical Conductivity (EC) of the soils in the entire area of the microwatershed is <2 dsm-1indicating that the soils are non-saline.  About 4 per cent of soils are low (<0.5%), 68 per cent of soils are medium (0.5- 0.75%) and 17 per cent of soils are high (>0.75%) in organic carbon.  About 57 per cent area is medium (23-57 kg/ha) and 32 per cent area is high (>57 kg/ha) in available phosphorus.  About 44 per cent is medium (145-337 kg/ha) and 45 per cent is high (>337 kg/ha) in available potassium.  Available sulphur is low (<10 ppm) in an area of about 29 per cent, 45 per cent of the soils are medium (10-20 ppm) and 15 per cent of the soils are high (>20 ppm) in the microwatershed.  Available boron is low (<0.5 ppm) in an area of about 31 per cent and medium (0.5-1.0 ppm) in an area of 58 per cent area of the microwatershed.  Available iron is deficient in an area of 19 per cent and sufficient in 70 per cent soils of the microwatershed.  Available manganese is sufficient in all the soils of the microwatershed.  Available copper is sufficient in all the soils of the microwatershed.  Available zinc is deficient (<0.6 ppm) in an area of about 87 per cent and sufficient (>0.6 ppm) in 2 per cent area of the microwatershed  The land suitability for 29 major agricultural and horticultural crops grown in the microwatershed was 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 586(84) 24(3) Guava - 24(3) Maize - 604(86) Sapota - 24(3) Bajra - 610(87) Pomegranate - 610(87) Groundnut - 24(3) Musambi 409(58) 201(29) Sunflower 409(58) 201(29) Lime 409(58) 201(29) Redgram - 610(87) Amla - 610(87) Bengal gram 586(83) - Cashew - - Cotton 409(58) 177(25) Jackfruit - 24(3) Chilli - 610(87) Jamun - 586(84) Tomato - 433(62) Custard apple 605(86) 6(1) Brinjal 204(29) 407(58) Tamarind - 586(84) Onion 222(32) 6(1) Mulberry - 24(3) Bhendi 600(85) 11(2) Marigold - 610(87) Drumstick - 610(87) Chrysanthemum - 610(87) Mango - 26(4)  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 90 (56.96%) men and 68 (43.04%) women among the sampled households.  The average family size of landless farmers’ was 5, marginal farmers’ was 4.62, small farmers’ was 5, semi medium farmers’ and medium farmers’ was 3.5.  The data indicated that, 34(21.52%) people were in 0-15 years of age, 69 (43.67%) were in 16-35 years of age, 46 (29.11%) were in 36-60 years of age and 9 (5.70%) were above 61 years of age.  The results indicated that Yaadahalli had 51.27 per cent illiterates, 21.52 per cent of them had primary school education, 3.16 per cent of them had middle school education, 6.33 per cent of them had high school education, 8.23 per cent of them had PUC education, 1.27 per cent of them had diploma education and 3.16 per cent had degree.  The results indicate that, 79.41 per cent of households were practicing agriculture, 11.76 per cent of the households were agricultural labourers 2.94 per cent of the households were general labour and 5.88 per cent of them were housewives.  The results indicate that agriculture was the major occupation for 44.94 per cent of the household members, 7.59 per cent were agricultural laborers, 7.59 per cent were general labourers, 0.63 per cent were in government service, 1.90 per cent were in private service, 1.27 per cent were trade & business, 18.35 per cent were students, 18.99 per cent were housewives and 5.06 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 58.82 per cent of the households possess katcha house and 41.18 per cent of them possess pucca house.  The results show that 91.18 per cent of the households possess TV and mobile phones, 5.88 per cent of the households possess mixer/grinder and 32.35 per cent of the households possess motor cycle.  The results show that the average value of television was Rs.7161, mixer/grinder was Rs. 2,000, motor cycle was Rs. 66,727 and mobile phone was Rs. 1,731.  About 11.16 per cent of the households possess bullock cart, 26.47 per cent of the households possess plough, 5.88 per cent of them were in tractor, 2.94 per cent of them possess sprinkler and 20.59 per cent of them possess weeder.  The results show that the average value of bullock cart was Rs. 18,750, plough was Rs.5855, tractor was Rs.550000, sprinkler was Rs. 9000 and the average value of weeder was Rs.193.  The results indicate that, 32.35 per cent of the households possess bullocks, 14.71 per cent of the households possess local cow, 5.88 per cent of them possess buffalo and 8.82 per cent of them possess goat. 2  The results indicate that, average own labour men available in the micro watershed was 1.79, average own labour (women) available was 1.50, average hired labour (men) available was 12.54 and average hired labour (women) available was 12.57.  The results indicate that, households of the Yaadahalli micro-watershed possess 27.87 ha (59.35%) of dry land and 19.09 ha (40.65%) of irrigated land. Marginal farmers possess 3.96 ha (98.79%) of dry land and 0.05 ha (1.21%) of irrigated land. Small farmers possess 9.66 ha (91.21%) of dry land and 0.93 ha (8.79%) of irrigated land. Semi medium farmers possess 6.15 ha (51.11%) of dry land and 48.89 ha (12.22%) of irrigated land. Medium farmers possess 8.09 ha (39.84%) of dry land and 12.22 ha (60.16%) of irrigated land.  The results indicate that, the average value of dry land was Rs. 441,199.54 and average value of irrigated land was Rs. 399,620.44. In case of marginal famers, the average land value was Rs10,10,224.95 for dry land and Rs. 2,058,333.38 for irrigated land. In case of small famers, the average land value was Rs. 589,572.87 for dry land and Rs. 859,130.45 for irrigated land. In case of semi medium famers, the average land value was Rs. 292,500.00 for dry land and Rs. 526,616.23 for irrigated land. In case of medium farmers, the average land value was Rs 98,800.00 for dry land and Rs. 296,890.73 for irrigated land.  The data regarding the status of bore wells in Yaadahalli micro-watershed is presented in Table 18.  The results indicate that, there were 1 de-functioning and 9 functioning bore wells in the micro watershed.  The results indicate that, bore well was the major irrigation source in the micro water shed for 26.47 per cent of the farmers.  The results indicate that, the depth of bore well was found to be 11.87 meters.  The results indicate that, farmers have grown cotton (12.38 ha), cowpea (1.34 ha), green gram (4.53 ha), groundnut (9.88 ha), paddy (3.64 ha), red gram (9.31 ha) and sorghum (5.33 ha). Marginal farmers have grown cotton and red gram. Small farmers had grown cotton, cowpea, green gram, groundnut and sorghum. Semi medium farmers had grown cotton, green gram, paddy and sorghum. Medium farmers had grown cotton, green gram, groundnut, paddy and sorghum.  The results indicate that, the cropping intensity in Yaadahalli micro-watershed was found to be 78.17 per cent.  The results indicate that, 67.65 per cent of the households have bank account. The results indicate that, 67.65 per cent of the households have availed credit from different sources.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for green gram was Rs. 26937.45. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 47916.33. The net income from Green gram cultivation was Rs. 20978.88, thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.78. 3  The total cost of cultivation for Paddy was Rs. 31501.67. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 155042.81. The net income from Paddy cultivation was Rs. 123541.14. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:4.92.  The total cost of cultivation for groundnut was Rs. 33717.03. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 74862.04. The net income from groundnut cultivation was Rs. 41145.01. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:2.22.  The total cost of cultivation for cotton was Rs. 33357.31. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 87717.32. The net income from cotton cultivation was Rs. 54360.01. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:2.63.  The total cost of cultivation for red gram was Rs. 34674.25. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 57519.13. The net income from red gram cultivation was Rs. 22844.88. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.66.  The total cost of cultivation for sorghum was Rs10809.26. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 27375.99. The net income from sorghum cultivation was Rs. 16566.73. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:2.53.  The total cost of cultivation for cowpea was Rs. 14253.25. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 32933.33.The net income from sorghum cultivation was Rs. 18680.09. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:2.31.  The results indicate that, 32.35per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was adequate.  The results indicate that the annual gross income was Rs. 35,000.00 for landless farmers, for marginal farmers it was Rs. 62,750.00, for small farmers it was Rs. 166,250.00, for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 134,000.00 and for medium farmers it was Rs. 282,933.33  The results indicate that the average annual expenditure is Rs. 10,934.73. For landless households it was Rs. 3,250.0, for marginal farmers it was Rs. 5,947.92, for small farmers it was Rs. 7,514.29, for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 12,600.00 and for medium farmers it was Rs. 28,163.89.  The results indicate that, sampled households have grown 1 lemon and 6 mango trees in the field. The results indicate that, households have planted 51 neem trees, 11 tamarind trees and 4 banyan tree in their field and 13 neem trees and 1 banyan trees in their backyard.  The results indicated that, households have an average investment capacity of Rs. 4,058.82 for land development and Rs. 3,823.53 for irrigation facility.  The results indicated that Loan from bank was the source of additional investment for 14.71 per cent for land development and for 5.88 per cent for irrigation facility. Soft loan was the source of additional investment for 8.82 per cent for land development.  The results indicated that, cotton was sold to the extent of 100 per cent, cowpea was sold to the extent of 80 per cent, green gram was sold to the extent of 92.86 per cent, groundnut was sold to the extent of 95 per cent, paddy was sold to the extent of 86.21 4 per cent, red gram was sold to the extent of 93.48 per cent and sorghum was sold to the extent of 92.86 per cent.  The results indicated that, about 76.94 per cent of the farmers sold their produce to local/village merchants and 2.94 per cent of the farmers sold their produce to regulated market.  The results indicated that, 73.53 per cent of the households have used tractor and 5.88 per cent of households have used cart as a mode of transportation for their agricultural produce.  The results indicated that, 67.65 per cent of the households have experienced soil and water erosion problems in the farm.  The results indicated that, 70.59 per cent have shown interest in soil test.  The results indicated that, 88.24 per cent of the households used firewood and 8.82 per cent used LPG as a source of fuel.  The results indicated that, piped supply was the major source of drinking water for 94.12 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, 41.18 per cent of the households possess sanitary toilet.  The results indicated that, 100 per cent of the sampled households possessed BPL card.  The results indicated that, 88.24 per cent of the households participated in NREGA programme.  The results indicated that, cereals were adequate for 94.12 per cent of the households, pulses were adequate for 91.18 per cent, oilseeds were adequate for 14.71 per cent, vegetables were adequate for 61.76 per cent, fruits were adequate for 2.95 per cent, milk was adequate for 88.24 per cent and eggs were adequate for 14.71 per cent.  The results indicated that, pulses were inadequate for 2.94 per cent, oilseeds were inadequate for 79.41 per cent, vegetables were inadequate for 29.41 per cent, fruits were inadequate for 91.18 per cent, milk were inadequate for 5.88 per cent, and meat was inadequate for 94.12 per cent of the households.  The results indicated that, lower fertility status of the soil was the constraint experienced by 79.41 per cent of the households, wild animal menace on farm field (73.53%), frequent incidence of pest and diseases (67.65%), inadequacy of irrigation water (5.88%), high cost of fertilizers and plant protection chemicals (73.53%), high rate of interest on credit (76.47%), low price for the agricultural commodities (64.71%), lack of marketing facilities in the area (70.59%), inadequate extension services (5.88%), lack of transport for the safe transport of agricultural produce to the market (47.06%) and source of agri technology information (2.94%).