LAND RESOURCE INVENTORY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF FARM HOUSEHOLDS FOR WATERSHED PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT CHIKKAKAMANURU (4D3A9B2b) MICRO WATERSHED Irakallagada Hobli, Koppal Taluk and District, Karnataka

Abstract

The land resource inventory of Chikka Kamanuru 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 463 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 93 per cent is covered by soil, eight per cent by rock out crops and <1 per cent by water bodies, settlements and others. The salient findings from the land resource inventory are summarized briefly below  The soils belong to 11 soil series and 31 soil phases (management units) and 6 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 28 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 8 per cent of the soils are shallow (25-50 cm), 10 per cent moderately shallow (50-75 cm) 52 per cent moderately deep (75- 100 cm) and 22 per cent is deep (100- 150cm) soils.  About 26 per cent is sandy (loamy sand) at the surface, 53 per cent loamy (sandy loam and sandy clay loam) and 14 per cent has clayey (sandy clay and clay) soils at the surface.  About 45 per cent of the area has non-gravelly (<15%) soils, 34 per cent has gravelly soils (15-35 % gravel) and 13 per cent very gravelly (35-60 %) soils.  With respect to available water capacity 54 per cent of the area has very low (<50mm/m), 26 per cent of the area has low (51-100 mm/m), 11 per cent medium (101-150 mm/m) and <1 per cent area has high (151-200mm/m) in available water capacity.  An area of about 9 per cent has nearly level (0-1%) lands, 82 per cent has very gently sloping (1-3%) and 1 per cent has very gently sloping (3-5%) lands.  An area of about 16 per cent is slightly eroded (e1), 75 per cent is moderately eroded (e2) and 1 per cent is severely eroded (e3) lands.  An area of about 9 per cent is moderately acid (pH 5.5 to 6.0), 31 per cent is slightly acid (pH 6.0 to 6.5), 28 per cent has neutral soils, 15 per cent slightly alkaline (pH 7.3 to 7.8), 10 per cent moderately alkaline (pH 7.8 to 8.4) and <1 per cent strongly alkaline.  The Electrical Conductivity (EC) of the soils are dominantly <2 dsm-1 indicating that soils are non saline.  Organic carbon is medium (0.5-0.75%) in 48 per cent and high (>0.75%) in 44 per cent area of the soils.  Available phosphorus is low (<23 kg/ha) in 1 per cent, medium (23-57 kg/ha) in 48 per cent and high (>57 kg/ha) in 43 per cent of the soils.  Available potassium is low (<145 kg/ha) in 6 per cent, medium (145-337 kg/ha) in 44 per cent and high (>337 kg/ha) in 41 per cent of the soils.  Available sulphur is low (<10 ppm) in 25 per cent and medium (10-20 ppm) in 67 per cent area of the soils.  Available boron is low (<0.5 ppm) in 83 per cent and medium (0.5-1.0) in 10 per cent area of the microwatershed.  Available iron is deficient in 29 per cent of the area and sufficient (>4.5 ppm) in 63 per cent of the area.  Available zinc is deficient (<0.6 ppm) in 52 per cent and sufficient (>0.6 ppm) in 40 per cent of the microwatershed.  Available manganese and copper are sufficient in the entire area.  The land suitability for 28 major 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 37 (8) 62 (13) Pomegranate 2(<1) 134(29) Maize 37 (8) 62 (13) Guava 2(<1) 134(29) Bajra 50 (11) 135 (29) Jackfruit 2(<1) 134 (29) Redgram 2(<1) 48 (10) Jamun - 101 (22) Bengal gram 25(5) 74 (16) Musambi 2 (<1) 134 (29) Groundnut 15(3) 246 (53) Lime 2 (<1) 134 (29) Sunflower 2 (<1) 48 (10) Cashew 12(3) 206(45) Cotton - 99 (21) Custard apple 25(5) 365(79) Chilli 12(3) 65(14) Amla 25(5) 365 (79) Tomato 37(8) 40(9) Tamarind - 10(2) Drumstick 2(<1) 146 (32) Marigold 12(3) 87(19) Mulberry 2 (<1) 339(73) Chrysanthemum 12(3) 87(19) Mango - 2(<1) Jasmine 12(3) 87(19) Sapota 2 (<1) 134(29) Crossandra 12(3) 65(14) Apart from the individual crop suitability, a proposed crop plan has been prepared for the 6 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 87 (57.24%) men and 65 (42.76%) women among the sampled households.  The average family size of landless farmers’ was 4.40, marginal farmers’ was 3.67, small farmers’ was 4.62, semi medium farmers’ was 4 and medium farmers’ was 5.40.  The data indicated that, 31 (20.39%) people were in 0-15 years of age, 63 (41.45%) were in 16-35 years of age, 46 (30.26%) were in 36-60 years of age and 12 (7.89%) were above 61 years of age.  The results indicated that Chikka Kamanuru had 40.13 per cent illiterates, 32.89 per cent of them had primary school education, 5.92 per cent of them had middle school education, 7.89 per cent of them had high school education, 5.26 per cent of them had PUC education, 0.66 per cent had ITI and 3.95 per cent of them had degree.  The results indicate that, 82.35 per cent of the household heads were practicing agriculture and 17.65 per cent of the household heads were agricultural labourers.  The results indicate that agriculture was the major occupation for 19.74 per cent of the household members, 60.53 per cent were agricultural labourers, 17.11 per cent were student and 2.63 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 23.53 per cent of the households possess thatched house, 38.24 per cent of the households possess katcha house and 38.24 per cent of them possess pucca/RCC house.  The results show that 88.24 per cent of the households possess TV, 85.29 per cent of them possess mixer/grinder, 8.82 per cent of them possess bicycle, 11.76 per cent of the households possess motor cycle and 91.18 per cent of the households possess mobile phones.  The results show that the average value of television was Rs. 6,950, mixer grinder was Rs. 2,389, bicycle was Rs. 3,000, motor cycle was Rs. 37,500 and mobile phone was Rs. 2,088.  About 23.53 per cent of the households possess bullock cart, 14.71 per cent of them possess plough, 2.94 per cent of them possess sprayer and 44.12 per cent of them possess weeder.  The results show that the average value of bullock cart was Rs. 15,275, plough was Rs. 1,500, sprayer was Rs. 5,000 and weeder was Rs. 24.  The results indicate that, 35.29 per cent of the households possess bullocks and 14.71 per cent of the households possess local cow.  The results indicate that, average own labour men available in the micro watershed was 1.56, average own labour (women) available was 1.32, average hired labour (men) available was 5.62 and average hired labour (women) available was 5.97. 2  The results indicate that 100 per cent of the households opined that the hired labour was inadequate.  The results indicate that, households of the Chikka Kamanuru micro-watershed possess 24.22 ha (46.26%) of dry land and 28.13 ha (53.74%) of irrigated land. Marginal farmers possess 2.04 ha (100%) of dry land. Small farmers possess 17.69 ha (95.62%) of dry land and 0.81 ha (4.38%) irrigated land. Semi medium farmers possess 4.49 ha (35.65%) of dry land and 8.11 ha (64.35%) of irrigated land. Medium farmers possess 19.22 ha (100%) of irrigated land.  The results indicate that, the average value of dry land was Rs. 280,634.92 and the average value of irrigated land was Rs. 195,411.39. In case of marginal famers, the average land value was Rs. 588,095.24 for dry land. In case of small famers, the average land value was Rs. 271,242.28 for dry land and Rs. 494,000 for irrigated land. In case of semi medium famers, the average land value was Rs. 178,018.02 for dry land and Rs. 332,784.43 for irrigated land. In case of medium farmers, the average land value was Rs. 124,852.57 for irrigated land.  The results indicate that, there were 14 functioning and 9 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 41.18 per cent of the farmers.  The results indicate that, the depth of bore well was found to be 23.49 meters.  The results indicate that small, semi medium and medium farmers had an irrigated area of 0.81 ha, 6.21 ha and 18.22 ha respectively.  The results indicate that, farmers have grown maize (35.42 ha), bajra (7.72 ha), mango (4.05 ha), groundnut (1.62 ha), sunflower (0.81 ha) and paddy (0.4 ha).  The results indicate that, the cropping intensity in Chikka Kamanuru micro-watershed was found to be 92.51 per cent.  The results indicate that, 61.76 per cent of the households have bank account and savings.  The results indicate that, 61.76 per cent of the households have availed credit from different sources.  The results indicate that, 47.62 per cent of the households availed loan from commercial bank.  The results indicate that, average credit availed in the micro watershed was Rs. 93,345.24.  The results indicate that, 100 per cent of the households have borrowed loan 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 indicated that 100 per cent of the households did not repay their loan borrowed from institutional sources. 3  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for maize was Rs. 22729.43. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 29927.77. The net income from maize cultivation was Rs. 7198.34. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.32.  The total cost of cultivation for mango was Rs. 15496.73. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 138320. The net income from mango cultivation was Rs. 122823.27. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:8.93.  The total cost of cultivation for sunflower was Rs. 33165.05. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 98800. The net income from sunflower cultivation was Rs. 65634.95. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:2.98.  The total cost of cultivation for groundnut was Rs. 35694.21. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 38748.13. The net income from groundnut cultivation was Rs. 3053.91. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.09.  The total cost of cultivation for paddy was Rs. 58433.94. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 76570. The net income from paddy cultivation was Rs. 18136.06. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.31.  The total cost of cultivation for bajra was Rs. 25501.64. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 19374.80. The net income from bajra cultivation was Rs. - 6126.85. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.76.  The results indicate that, 5.88 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was adequate and 17.65 per cent opined that dry fodder was inadequate.  The results indicate that the annual gross income was Rs. 41,200 for landless farmers, for marginal farmers it was Rs. 22,000, for small farmers it was Rs. 57,630.77, for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 70,500 and for medium farmers it was Rs. 116,000.  The results indicate that the average annual expenditure is Rs. 4,592.65. For landless households it was Rs. 3,200, for marginal farmers it was Rs. 2,333.33, for small farmers it was Rs. 4,634.62, for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 3,812.50 and for medium farmers it was Rs. 8,480.  The results indicate that, sampled households have grown 37 coconut trees and 3 mango trees in their backyard.  The results indicate that, households have planted 87 neem and 2 tamarind trees in their field. Also, the households have planted 67 neem trees in their backyard.  The results indicated that, bajra was sold to the extent of 59.6 per cent, groundnut was sold to the extent 60 per cent, maize was sold to the extent of 98.8 per cent, mango was sold to the extent of 100 per cent, paddy was sold to the extent of 53.3 per cent, sunflower was sold to the extent of 95 per cent.  The results indicated that, about 11.76 per cent of the farmers sold their produce to local/village merchants and 88.24 per cent of the farmers sold their produce to regulated market. 4  The results indicated that, 100 per cent of them used tractor as a mode of transportation.  The results indicated that, 35.29 per cent of the households have experienced soil and water erosion problems in the farm.  The results indicated that, 85.29 per cent have shown interest in soil test.  The results indicated that, 97.06 per cent of the households used firewood and 2.94 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 11.76 per cent of the households, bore well was the source of drinking water for 85.29 per cent of the households and open well was the source of drinking water for 2.94 per cent of the households in micro watershed.  Electricity was the major source of light for 100 per cent of the households in micro watershed.  The results indicated that, 64.71 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, 41.18 per cent of the households participated in NREGA programme.  The results indicated that, cereals were adequate for 91.18 per cent of the households, pulses were adequate for 88.24 per cent, oilseeds were adequate for 23.53 per cent, vegetables were adequate for 20.59, fruits were adequate for 64.71 per cent, milk was adequate for 41.18 per cent, eggs were adequate for 17.65 per cent and meat were adequate for 23.53 per cent.  The results indicated that, cereals were in adequate for 5.88 per cent of the households, pulses were inadequate for 8.82 per cent, oilseeds were inadequate for 73.53 per cent, vegetables were inadequate for 70.59 per cent, fruits were inadequate for 29.41 per cent, milk was inadequate for 38.24 per cent, eggs were inadequate for 67.65 per cent and meat was inadequate for 61.76 per cent of the households.  The results indicated that, lower fertility status of the soil was the constraint experienced by 85.29 per cent of the households, wild animal menace on farm field (79.41%), frequent incidence of pest and diseases (44.12%), inadequacy of irrigation water (29.41%), high cost of fertilizers and plant protection chemicals (20.59%), high rate of interest on credit (17.65%), lack of marketing facilities in the area (11.76%), low price for the agricultural commodities (23.53%), inadequate extension services (23.53%), lack of transport for safe transport of the agricultural produce to the market (2.94%), less rainfall (32.35%) and Source of Agri-technology information (20.59%).