LAND RESOURCE INVENTORY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF FARM HOUSEHOLDS FOR WATERSHED PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT BURGAPALLI-2 (4D2D6D1b) MICROWATERSHED Yadgir Taluk and District, Karnataka

Abstract

The land resource inventory of Buragapalli-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 603 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 600 ha in the microwatershed is covered by soils and 4 ha by others (habitation and water body). The salient findings from the land resource inventory are summarized briefly below.  The soils belong to 6 soil series and 8 soil phases (management units) and 4 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 are shallow (25 - 50 cm), 16 per cent area of the microwatershed has soils that are moderately deep (75-100 cm) and 53 per cent area are deep to very deep (100 to >150 cm).  About 14 per cent area in the microwatershed has loamy and 86 per cent clayey soils at the surface.  About 78 per cent area in the microwatershed is non gravelly (<15%) and 21 per cent is gravelly (15-35%).  About 53 per cent area of the microwatershed is very high (>200 mm/m) in available water capacity, 16 per cent area low (51-100 mm/m) and 30 per cent area very low (<50 mm/m) in available water capacity.  An area of about 11 per cent area in the microwatershed is nearly level and 89 per cent area is very gently sloping lands.  An area of about 68 per cent area in the microwatershed is moderately (e2) eroded and 31 per cent area is slight (e1) eroded lands.  Entire area of the microwatershed is neutral (pH 6.5-7.3) in soil reaction.  The Electrical Conductivity (EC) of entire soils of the microwatershed is dominantly <2 dsm-1indicating that the soils are non-saline.  About 16 per cent of the soils are medium (0.5-0.75%) in organic carbon and high (>0.75%) in 83 per cent area.  22 per cent area is high (>57 kg/ha) in available phosphorus, 56 per area is medium (23-57 kg/ha) and 22 per area is low (<23 kg/ha).  About 94 per cent is high (>337 kg/ha) in available potassium and 5 per cent is medium (145-337 kg/ha).  Available sulphur is low (<10 ppm) in an area of about 46 per cent and medium (10 - 20 ppm) in 53 per cent.  About 74 per cent area is low (<0.5 ppm) in available boron and 26 per cent is medium (0.5-1.0 ppm).  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 all the soils of the microwatershed.  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 - 228(38) Guava - 98(16) Maize 98(16) 130(22) Sapota - 98(16) Bajra 98(16) 130(22) Pomegranate - 228(38) Groundnut 98(16) - Musambi - 228(38) Sunflower - 228(38) Lime - 228(38) Redgram - 228(38) Amla 98(16) - Bengal gram - 130(22) Cashew - - Cotton - 130(22) Jackfruit - 98(16) Chilli 98(16) 130(22) Jamun - - Tomato 98(16) - Custard apple 98(16) 130(22) Brinjal 98(16) - Tamarind - - Onion 98(16) - Mulberry - 98(16) Bhendi 98(16) 130(22) Marigold 98(16) 130(22) Drumstick - 98(16) Chrysanthemum 98(16) 130(22) 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 other horticulture crops.  Maintaining soil-health is vital for crop production and conserves 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 108 (69.23%) men and 48 (30.77%) women among the sampled households.  The average family size of landless farmers’ was 3.8, marginal farmers’ was 4.5, small farmers’ was 4.4 and semi medium farmers’ was 4.6.  The data indicated that, 19 (12.18%) people were in 0-15 years of age, 74 (47.44%) were in 16-35 years of age, 53 (33.97%) were in 36-60 years of age and 10 (6.41%) were above 61 years of age.  The results indicated that Buragapalli-2 had 45.51 per cent illiterates, 16.3 per cent of them had primary school, 11.54 per cent of them had high school education, 8.97 per cent of them had PUC, 75 per cent of them had diploma, 5.77 per cent of them had ITI and 5.13 per cent of them had degree education.  The results indicate that, 71.43 per cent of household heads were practicing agriculture, 25.71 per cent of the household heads were agricultural laborers and 2.86 per cent of the household’s heads were government service.  The results indicate that agriculture was the major occupation for 16.67 per cent of the household members, 55.13 per cent were agricultural laborers, 3.21 per cent were in household government services, 1.28 per cent were in private services, 23.8 per cent were student and 0.64 per cent were housewives.  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 45.71 per cent of the households possess katcha and 91.18 per cent of the households possess pucca/RCC house.  The results show that 94.29 per cent of the households possess TV, 45.71 per cent of the households possess mixer/grinder, 28.57 per cent of the households possess refrigerator, 2.86 per cent of the households possess bicycle, 54.29 per cent of the households motor cycle and 68.57 per cent of the households possess mobile phones.  The results show that the average value of television was Rs. 6,878, mixer/grinder was Rs. 1,762, refrigerator was Rs. 8,600, bicycle motor cycle was Rs. 500, motor cycle was Rs. 40,789 and mobile phone was Rs. 4,638.  About 57.14 per cent each of the households possess bullock cart, 60 per cent of the households possess plough, 42.86 per cent of the households possess seed/fertilizer drill, 8.57 per cent of the households possess irrigation pump, 28.57 per cent of the households possess sprayer and 34.29 per cent of the households possess weeder.  The results show that the average value of bullock cart was Rs. 22,500, plough was Rs. 2,342, seed/ fertilizer drill was Rs. 7,200, sprayer was Rs. 4,200 and the average value of weeder was Rs. 36.  The results indicate that, 48.57 per cent of the households possess bullocks, 28.57 per cent of the households possess local cow, 5.71 per cent of the households possess 2 buffalo and sheep. 8.57 per cent of the households possess goat and 2.86 per cent of the households possess poultry birds.  The results indicate that, average own labour men available in the micro watershed was 1.68, average own labour (women) available was 1.19, average hired labour (men) available was 6.81 and average hired labour (women) available was 7.35.  The results indicate that, 88.57 per cent of the households opined that the hired labour was inadequate.  The results indicate that, households of the Buragapalli-2 micro-watershed possess 17.94 ha (88.6%) of dry land and 2.43 ha (11.94%) of irrigated land.. Marginal farmers possess 7.19 ha (96.68%) of dry land and 0.25 ha (3.32%). Small farmers possess 5.22 ha (85.66%) of dry land and 0.87 ha (14.34%). Semi medium farmers possess 5.54 ha (80.85%) of dry land and 1.31 ha (19.15%) of irrigated land.  The results indicate that, the average value of dry land was Rs. 562,629.68 and the average value of irrigated land was Rs. 780,865.21. In case of marginal famers, the average land value was Rs. 1,056,981.99 for dry land and average land value was Rs. 2,834,426.16. In case of small famers, the average land value was Rs. 325,503.88 for dry and the average value of irrigated land was Rs. 686,1118. In case of semi medium famers, the average land value was Rs. 144,444.45 for dry land and the average value was Rs.8457,407.41 irrigated land.  The results indicate that, there were 3 de-functioning and functioning bore wells in the micro watershed.  The results indicate that, bore well was the major irrigation source in the micro water shed for 8.57 per cent of the farmers.  The results indicate that, the depth of bore well was found to be 5.66 meters.  The results indicate that, marginal, small and semi-medium farmers had an irrigated area of 0.31ha, 0.87 ha and 1.31 ha respectively.  The results indicate that, farmers have grown red gram (18.99 ha), paddy (1.12 ha), sorghum (0.2 ha) and groundnut (0.15 ha), Marginal farmers have grown red gram, paddy and groundnut. Small farmers have grown red gram and paddy. Semi medium farmers have grown red gram.  The results indicate that, the cropping intensity in Buragapalli-2 micro-watershed was found to be 100 per cent.  The results indicate that, 62.86 per cent of the households have bank account and savings.  The results indicate that, 62.86 per cent of the households have availed credit from different sources.  The results indicate that, 13.64 per cent of the households have borrowed from grameena bank.  The results indicate that, the average credit amount borrowed by households in micro-watershed was Rs, 8,090.91. 3  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 repay their loan borrowed from institutional sources.  The results indicate that, 100 per cent opined that the loan amount borrowed from helped to perform timely agricultural operations.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for groundnut was Rs. 191967.95. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 195000. The net income from groundnut cultivation was Rs. 30325. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:12.  The total cost of cultivation for Red gram was Rs. 107900.48. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 142388.14. The net income from Red gram cultivation was Rs. 34487.67. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.32.  The total cost of cultivation for Sorghum was Rs. 254442.82. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 175472.91. The net income from Sorghum cultivation was Rs. -78969.90. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.69.  The total cost of cultivation for Paddy was Rs. 152568.14. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 115522.59. The net income from Paddy cultivation was Rs. - 37045.54. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.76.  The results indicate that, 17.14 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was adequate, 11.43 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was inadequate, 20 per cent of the households opined that green fodder was adequate and 5.71 per cent of the households opined that green fodder was inadequate.  The results indicate that the annual gross income was Rs. 66,800 for landless farmers, for marginal farmers it was Rs. 246,954.55, for small farmers it was Rs. 416,400 and semi medium farmers it was Rs. 295,000.  The results indicate that the average annual expenditure is Rs. 27,070.84. For landless households it was Rs. 22,550, for marginal farmers it was Rs. 11,957.40, for small farmers it was Rs. 59,000 and for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 92,222.22.  The results indicate that, households have planted 63 custard apple, 2 guava and 1 jackfruit and mango trees in their field and also 1 mango trees in their backyard.  The results indicate that, households have planted 9 neem trees in their field and 1 teak and 3 neem trees in their backyard.  The results indicated that, households have an average investment capacity of Rs. 6,557.14 for land development.  The results indicated that Soft loan was the source of additional investment for 45.71per cent for land development.  The results indicated that, groundnut was sold to the extent of 50 per cent, paddy was sold to the extent of 65.52 per cent, red gram was sold to the extent of 81.13 per cent and sorghum was sold to the extent of 23.8 per cent. 4  The results indicated that, about 48.57 per cent of the farmers sold their produce to local/village merchant and 37.14 per cent of the farmers sold their produce to regulated markets.  The results indicated that, 82.86 per cent of the households have used tractor and 2.86 per cent of the households used truck as a mode of transportation.  The results indicated that, 85.71 per cent of the households have experienced soil and water erosion problems in the farm.  The results indicated that, 82.86 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 68.57 per cent of the households in the micro watershed and bore well was the source of drinking water for 31.43 per cent of the households in the micro watershed.  Electricity was the major source of light for 97.14 per cent of the households and kerosene lamp was the major source of light for 2.86 per cent of the households in micro watershed.  The results indicated that, 22.86 per cent of the households possess sanitary toilet facility.  The results indicated that, 100 per cent of the sampled households possessed BPL cards.  The results indicated that, 100 per cent of the households participated in NREGA programme.  The results indicated that, cereals were adequate for 97.14 per cent of the households, pulses were adequate for 91.43 per cent, oilseed were adequate for 14.29 per cent, vegetables were adequate for 31.43 per cent, fruits were adequate for 45.71 per cent, milk were adequate for 28.57 per cent, egg and meat were adequate for 20 per cent.  The results indicated that, cereals were inadequate for 2.86 per cent, pulses were inadequate for 8.57 per cent, oilseeds and milk were inadequate for 85.71 per cent of the households, vegetables were inadequate for 68.57 per cent, fruits were inadequate for 45.71 per cent, milk were inadequate for 51.43 per cent, egg were inadequate were inadequate for 77.14 per cent and meat were inadequate for 74.29 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 (82.86%), frequent incidence of pest and diseases (42.86%), Inadequacy of irrigation water (17.14%), high cost of fertilizer and plant protection chemicals (31.43%), high rate of interest on credit (2.86%), low price for the agricultural commodities (17.14%), lack of marketing facilities in the area (14.29%), inadequate extension service (11.43%), Lack of transport for safe transport of the Agril produce to the market and less rainfall (25.71%) and Source of Agri-technology information(37.14%)