LAND RESOURCE INVENTORY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF FARM HOUSEHOLDS FOR WATERSHED PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT KOYALUR (4D5B1J2d) MICROWATERSHED Yadgir Hobli, Yadgir Taluk and District, Karnataka

Abstract

The land resource inventory of Koyalur 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 554 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 511 ha in the microwatershed is covered by soils, rock outcrops about 27 ha and 15 ha by others (habitation and water bodies). The salient findings from the land resource inventory are summarized briefly below.  The soils belong to 7 soil series and 10 soil phases (management units) and 5 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 60 per cent area of the microwatershed has soils that are deep (100 -150 cm) and 33 per cent soils are very shallow to moderately shallow (<25-75 cm).  About 7 per cent area in the microwatershed has sandy soils, An area 35 per cent has loamy soils and 51 per cent clay soils at the surface.  About 82 per cent area is non gravelly (<15%) and 11 per cent is gravelly (15- 35%).  About 60 per cent area of the microwatershed is very high (>200 mm/m) in available water capacity,13 per cent is low (51-100 mm/m) and 20 per cent is very low (<50 mm/m)  Entire area of the microwatershed has very gently sloping (1-3% slope) lands.  An area of about 88 per cent area is moderately (e2) eroded and 4 per cent area is severely (e3) eroded.  An area of about 46 per cent soils are neutral (pH 6.5-7.3) in soil reaction, 46 per cent soil are slightly to moderately alkaline (pH 7.3-8.4) and <1 per cent soils are strongly alkaline (8.4 - 9.0).  The Electrical Conductivity (EC) of the soils in the entire area of the microwatershed is dominantly <2 dsm-1indicating that the soils are non-saline.  About 11 per cent of the soils are low (<0.5%) in organic carbon, 64 per cent medium (0.5-0.75%) and 18 per cent is high (>0.75%).  Available phosphorus is low (<23 kg/ha) in an area of about <1 per cent, 79 per area is medium (23-57 kg/ha) and 13 per cent is high (>57 kg/ha).  About 37 per cent is low (145 kg/ha) in available potassium and 55 per cent medium (145-337 kg/ha).  Available sulphur is low (<10 ppm) in an area of about 29 per cent, medium (10 - 20 ppm) in 48 per cent and high (>20 ppm) in 15 per cent  Available boron is low (<0.5 ppm) in an area of about 7 per cent and medium (0.5-1.0 ppm) in an area of 86 per cent.  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 the entire area 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 330(60) 69(13) Guava - - Maize - 399(72) Sapota - - Bajra - 399(72) Pomegranate - 330(60) Groundnut - 21(4) Musambi 330(60) - Sunflower 330(60) - Lime 330(60) - Red gram - 330(60) Amla - 399(73) Bengal gram 330(60) 69(13) Cashew - - Cotton 330(60) 69(13) Jackfruit - - Chilli - 399(73) Jamun - 330(60) Tomato - 399(73) Custard apple 330(60) 69(13) Brinjal 30(5) 369(67) Tamarind - 330(60) Onion 330(60) 69(13) Mulberry - - Bhendi 30(5) 369(67) Marigold - 399(73) Drumstick - 330(60) Chrysanthemum - 399(73) Mango - 30(5)  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, fiber and horticulture crops.  Maintaining soil-health is vital to 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 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 sub marginal 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 on households sampled for socio economic survey indicated that 34 farmers were sampled in Koyalur micro-watershed among them 15 (44.12 %) were marginal farmers, 7 (20.59 %) were small farmers and semi medium farmers, 4 (11.76 %) were medium farmers and 1 (2.94 %) were large farmers.  The data indicated that there were 90 (60.40 %) men and 59 (39.60 %) women among the sampled households. The average family size of marginal farmers’ was 3.66, small farmers’ was 5.14, semi medium farmers’ was 4.28, medium farmers’ was 5.5 and large farmers’ was 6.  The data indicated that, 21 (14.09 %) people were in 0-15 years of age, 62 (41.61 %) were in 16-35 years of age, 57 (38.26 %) were in 36-60 years of age and 9 (6.04 %) were above 61 years of age.  The results indicated that Koyalur had 53.02 per cent illiterates, 18.12 per cent of them had primary school, 2.68 per cent of them had middle school, 13.42 per cent of them had high school education, 3.36 per cent of them had PUC, 1.34 per cent of them had Diploma and ITI and 6.04 per cent of them had Degree education.  The results indicate that, 55.88 per cent of household heads were practicing agriculture, 41.18 per cent of the household heads were agricultural labourers and 5.88 cent of the household heads were housewives.  The results indicate that agriculture was the major occupation for 38.93 per cent of the household members, 32.21 per cent were agricultural labourers, 3.36 per cent were private service, 18.79 per cent were students, 5.37 per cent were housewives and 1.34 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 8.82 per cent of the households possess Thatched house, 67.65 per cent of the households possess Katcha house and 23.53 per cent of them possess Pucca/RCC house.  The results show that 79.41 per cent of the households possess TV, 70.59 per cent of the households possess mixer/grinder, 2.94 per cent of the households possess bicycle, 38.24 per cent of the households possess motor cycle, 2.94 per cent of the households possess Auto and 100 per cent of the households possess mobile phones.  The results show that the average value of television was Rs. 9,000, mixer/grinder was Rs. 2,000, Bicycle was Rs. 2,000, motor cycle was Rs. 45,846, Auto was Rs. 80,000 and mobile phone was Rs. 2,591.  About 17.65 per cent of the households possess Bullock Cart, 29.41 per cent of the households possess plough, 11.76 per cent of the households possess Sprayer and 2 Thresher, 2.94 per cent of them possess Sprinkler and 88.24 per cent of them possess weeder.  The results show that the average value of bullock cart was Rs. 15,500, plough was Rs. 1,550, sprayer was Rs. 3,500, sprinkler was Rs. 3,000, Thresher was Rs. 148 and the average value of weeder was Rs. 57.  The results indicate that, 17.65 per cent of the households possess bullocks, local cow and Buffalo, 2.94 per cent of the households possess Crossbred cow, Goat and Sheep.  The results indicate that, average own labour men available in the micro watershed was 1.92, average own labour (women) available was 1.34, average hired labour (men) available was 9.97 and average hired labour (women) available was 9.11.  In case of marginal farmers, average own labour men available was 1.73, average own labour (women) was 1.20, average hired labour (men) was 7.27 and average hired labour (women) available was 6.60. In case of small farmers, average own labour men available was 2.22, average own labour (women) was 1.50, average hired labour (men) was 11.25 and average hired labour (women) available was 10. In case of semi medium farmers, average own labour men available was 1.57, average own labour (women) was 1.43, average hired labour (men) was 12.14 and average hired labour (women) available was 11.43. In case of medium farmers, average own labour men available was 2.50 and average own labour (women) was 1.50, average hired labour (men) was 13.75 and average hired labour (women) available was 12.50. In case of large farmers, average own labour men available was 2 and average own labour (women) was 1, average hired labour (men) was 10 and average hired labour (women) available was 10.  The results indicate that, 100 per cent of the households opined that the hired labour was adequate.  The results indicate that, households of the Koyalur micro-watershed possess 28.49 ha (52.44 %) of dry land, 14.38 ha (26.47 %) of irrigated land and 11.46 ha (21.10 %) of Permanent Fallow land. Marginal farmers possess 9.19 ha (100 %) of dry land. Small farmers possess 9.41 ha (98.27 %) of dry land and 0.10 ha (1.01 %) of irrigated land and 0.07 ha (0.72 %) of Permanent Fallow land. Semi medium farmers possess 9.89 ha (70.29 %) of dry land and 3.35 ha (23.84 %) of irrigated land and 0.83 ha (5.87 %) of Permanent Fallow land. Medium farmers possess 9.71 ha (82.19 %) of irrigated land and 2.10 ha (17.81 %) of Permanent Fallow land. Large farmers possess 1.21 ha (12.55 %) of irrigated land and 8.46 ha (87.45 %) of Permanent Fallow land.  The results indicate that, the average value of dry land was Rs. 374,770.64, the average value of irrigated land was Rs. 344,117.65 and the average value of Permanent Fallow land was Rs. 266,013.42. In case of marginal famers, the 3 average land value was Rs. 609,339.20 for dry land. In case of small famers, the average land value was Rs. 302,774.20 for dry land, Rs. 514,583.34 for irrigated land and Rs. 4,358,823.48 for Permanent Fallow land. In case of semi medium famers, the average land value was Rs. 282,978.72 for dry land, Rs. 595,898.68 for irrigated land and Rs. 484,313.72 for Permanent Fallow land. In case of medium farmers, the average land value was Rs. 226,416.67 for irrigated land and Rs. 237,500.01 for Permanent Fallow land. In case of large farmers, the average land value was Rs. 576,333.33 for irrigated land and Rs. 218,531.80 for Permanent Fallow land.  The results indicate that, there were 8 functioning bore wells in the micro watershed.  The results indicate that, there were 1 functioning open wells in the micro watershed.  The results indicate that, bore well was the major irrigation source in the micro water shed for 23.53 per cent of the farmers and Open Well was the irrigation source in the micro water shed for 2.94 per cent of the farmers.  The results indicate that, the depth of bore well was found to be 25.10 meters and the depth of open well was found to be 3.14 meters.  The results indicate that, small, semi medium, medium and large farmers had an irrigated area of 0.08 ha, 3.36 ha, 9.72 ha and 1.21 ha respectively.  The results indicate that, farmers have grown cotton (23.46 ha), green gram (1.19 ha), groundnut (2.02 ha), Paddy (5.40 ha) and red gram (7.37 ha). Marginal farmers have grown red gram, cotton and green gram. Small farmers have grown cotton, red gram, green gram and paddy. Semi medium farmers have grown cotton, red gram and paddy. Medium farmers have grown cotton, groundnut and paddy. Large farmers have grown cotton and groundnut.  The results indicate that, the cropping intensity in Koyalur micro-watershed was found to be 88.23 per cent.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for Cotton was Rs. 37224.40. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 87496.97. The net income from Cotton cultivation was Rs. 50272.57. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1: 2.35.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for green gram was Rs. 89427.69. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 218265.67. The net income from green gram cultivation was Rs. 128837.98. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1: 2.44.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for groundnut was Rs. 61010.13. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 84391.67. The net income from groundnut cultivation was Rs. 23381.53. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1: 1.38. 4  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for Red gram was Rs. 31766.12. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 51298.37. The net income from Red gram cultivation was Rs. 19532.25. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1: 1.61.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for paddy was Rs. 209393.71. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 95681.30. The net income from paddy cultivation was Rs. -113712.41. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1: 0.46.  The results indicate that, 35.29 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was adequate and green fodder was adequate.  The results indicate that the annual gross income was Rs. 79,146.67 for marginal farmers, for small farmers it was Rs. 144,714.29, semi medium farmers it was Rs. 177,857.14, medium farmers it was Rs. 153,500 and large farmers it was Rs. 175,000.  The results indicate that the average annual expenditure is Rs. 23,505.21. For marginal farmers it was Rs. 4,463.25, for small farmers it was Rs. 33,297.96, for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 22,877.55, medium farmers it was Rs. 52,750 and large farmers it was Rs. 128,000.  The results indicate that, households have planted 59 Neem and 2 Banyan trees in their field.  The results indicated that, households have an average investment capacity of Rs. 5,676.47 for land development, households have an average investment capacity of Rs. 1,205.88 for Irrigation facility, households have an average investment capacity of Rs. 4,647.06 for improved crop production and households have an average investment capacity of Rs. 1,352.94 improved livestock management.  The results indicated that Loan from bank was the source of additional investment for 50 per cent for land development, 17.65 per cent for irrigation facility, 47.06 per cent for improved crop production and 20.59 per cent for improved livestock management. Soft loan was the source of additional investment for 5.88 per cent for land development, 2.94 per cent for irrigation facility, improved crop production and improved livestock management..  The results indicated that, cotton was sold to the extent of 100 per cent, Green gram was sold to the extent of 92.86 per cent, Groundnut was sold to the extent of 38.0 per cent, Paddy was sold to the extent of 88.28 per cent and Red gram was sold to the extent of 92.73 per cent.  The results indicated that, about 2.94 per cent of the farmers sold their produce to Agent/Traders and 2.94 per cent of the farmers sold their produce to local/village merchants. 5  The results indicated that, 2.94 per cent of the households have used Head Load as a mode of transportation and 97.06 per cent of the households have used tractor as a mode of transportation.  The results indicated that, 88.24 per cent of the households have experienced soil and water erosion problems in the farm.  The results indicated that, 94.12 per cent have shown interest in soil test.  The results indicated that, 97.06 per cent of the households used firewood as a source of fuel 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 100 per cent of the households in the micro watershed.  The results indicated that, Electricity was the major source of light for 100 per cent of the households in micro watershed.  The results indicated that, 32.35 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, 82.35 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 73.53 per cent of the households, Oilseed were adequate for 2.94 per cent of the households, Vegetables were adequate for 94.12 per cent, Egg were adequate for 100 per cent, Fruits were adequate for 11.76 per cent, Milk and were adequate for 97.06 per cent and Meat and were adequate for 97.06 per cent.  The results indicated that, Pulses were inadequate for 32.35 per cent of the households, oilseeds were inadequate for 97.06 per cent, vegetables were inadequate for 5.88 per cent, fruits were inadequate for 88.24 per cent and milk was inadequate for 2.94 per cent of the households.  The results indicated that, lower fertility status of the soil was the constraint experienced by 100 per cent of the households, Wild animal menace on farm field (38.24 %), frequent incidence of pest and diseases (64.71 %), High cost of Fertilizers and plant protection chemicals (97.06 %), High rate of interest on credit (2.94 %), Lack of marketing facilities in the area (5.88 %) and Low price for the agricultural commodities (64.71 %).