LAND RESOURCE INVENTORY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF FARM HOUSEHOLDS FOR WATERSHED PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DADDEGALLU-4 (4D4A1T2a) MICROWATERSHED Koppal Taluk and District, Karnataka

Abstract

The land resource inventory of Daddegallu-4 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 233 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 85 per cent is covered by soils, <1 per cent by rock out crops, one per cent by mining/industrial area, and 12 per cent by water bodies, settlements and others. The salient findings from the land resource inventory are summarized briefly below.  The soils belong to 6 soil series and 10 soil phases (management units) and 4 land use classes.  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 13 per cent of the soils are shallow (25-50 cm), 20 per cent is moderately shallow (50-75 cm), 50 per cent moderately deep (75- 100 cm) and 2 per cent has very deep soils (>150 cm).  Entire area in the microwatershed has clayey soils at the surface.  About 40 per cent of the area has non-gravelly (<15%) soils and 45 per cent has gravelly soils (15-35 % gravel).  With respect to available water capacity 33 per cent of the area has low (51-100 mm/m), 50 per cent medium (101-150 mm/m) and 2 very high (>200mm/m) in available water capacity.  An area of about 5 per cent has nearly level (0-1%) lands and 81 per cent has very gently sloping (1-3%) lands.  An area of about 14 per cent is slightly eroded (e1) and 72 per cent is moderately eroded (e2) lands.  An area of about <1 slightly alkaline (pH 7.3 to 7.8), 4 per cent moderately alkaline (pH 7.8 to 8.4), 31 per cent soils strongly alkaline (pH 8.4 to 9.0) and 51 per cent very strongly alkaline (pH>9.0).  Electrical conductivity (EC) of the soils are dominantly < 2dsm-1 indicating that soils are non saline.  Organic carbon is low (<0.5%) in 18 per cent and medium (0.5-0.75%) in 69 per cent area of the soils.  Available phosphorus is low (<23 kg/ha) in 82 per cent and medium (23-57 kg/ha) in 4 per cent area of the soils.  Available potassium is medium (145-337 kg/ha) in 44 per cent and high (>337 kg/ha) in 43 per cent of the soils.  Available sulphur is low (<10 ppm) in 59 per cent, medium (10-20 ppm) in 7 per cent and high (>20 ppm) in 20 per cent area of the soils.  Available boron is medium (0.5-1.0 ppm) in 86 per cent and high (>1.0 ppm) in 1 per cent area of the soils.  Available iron is deficient (<4.5 ppm) in the entire area of the microwatershed.  Available zinc is deficient (<0.6 ppm) in 87 per cent of the area and sufficient in <1 per cent of the area.  Available manganese and copper are sufficient in the entire area.  The land suitability for 28 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 62 (26) 107(46) Pomegranate - 123(52) Maize - 169(72) Guava - - Bajra - 169(72) Jackfruit - - Redgram - 74(31) Jamun - 5(2) Bengal gram 62(26) 108(46) Musambi 5(2) 118(50) Groundnut - - Lime 5(2) 118(50) Sunflower 5(2) 118 (50) Cashew - - Cotton 62(26) 107(46) Custard apple 62(26) 107(46) Chilli - - Amla - 169(72) Tomato - 1(<1) Tamarind - 5(2) Drumstick - 122(52) Marigold - 169(72) Mulberry - 117(50) Chrysanthemum - 169(72) Mango - - Jasmine - 46(20) Sapota - 1(<1) Crossandra - 54(23) Apart from the individual crop suitability, a proposed crop plan has been prepared for the 4 identified LUCs 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 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. The data indicated that there were 109 (53.23%) men and 94 (46.77%) were women among the sampled households.  The average family size of marginal farmers’ was 5.6, small farmers’ was 1.6, semi medium farmers’ was 2 and medium farmers’ was 1.3.  The data indicated that, 52 (25.87%) people were in 0-15 years of age, 82 (40.8%) were in 16-35 years of age, 54 (26.87%) were in 36-60 years of age and 13 (6.47%) were above 61 years of age.  The results indicated that Daddegallu-4 had 20.40 per cent illiterates, 38.31per cent of them had primary school education, 9.45 per cent of them had middle school education, 16.42 per cent of them had high school education, 4.98 per cent of them had PUC education, 1.99 per cent of them had diploma education, 1.99 per cent of them had degree education and 6.47 per cent of them did others.  The results indicate that, 97.14 per cent of household heads were practicing agriculture and 2.86 per cent of the household heads were agricultural labourers.  The results indicate that agriculture was the major occupation for 60.70 per cent of the household members, 4.98 per cent were agricultural labourers, 2.99 per cent were in private service, 24.38 per cent were students, 0.50 per cent were housewives and 6.47 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 8.57 per cent of the households possess thatched house, 71.43 per cent of the households possess katcha house, 17.14 per cent of them possess pucca/RCC house and 2.86 per cent of them possess semi pucca house.  The results show that 100 per cent of the households possess TV, 85.71 per cent of them possess mixer/grinder, 14.29 per cent of them possess bicycle, 20.00 per cent of the households possess motor cycle, 2.86 per cent of the households possess Auto and 35 per cent of the households possess mobile phones.  The results show that the average value of television was Rs 5071, mixer grinder was Rs 1,463, bicycle was Rs 1,480 motor cycle was Rs. 37,857, auto was Rs 48,000 and mobile phone was Rs. 1,268.  About 2.86 per cent of the households possess bullock cart, 14.29 per cent of them possess plough, 2.86 per cent possess seed/fertilizer drill, 2.86 per cent of them possess Irrigation Pump, 8.57 per cent of them possess tractor, 11.23 per cent of them possess sprayer, 45.71 per cent of them possess weeder, 2.86 per cent of them harvester, 2.86 per cent of them thresher, 5.71 per cent of them possess earth remover/duster.  The results show that the average value of bullock cart was Rs.40,000 , plough was Rs. 2,380, seed/fertilizer drill was Rs,3,500 irrigation pump was Rs,10,00,000, 2 power tiller was 25,000, tractor was Rs 3,66,666, sprayer was Rs. 2,250, average value of weeder was Rs.33, average value of harvester was 30,000, the average value of thresher was Rs, 25 and the average value of earth mover/duster was Rs.36,500.  The results indicate that, 11.43 per cent of the households possess bullocks, 28.57 per cent of the households possess local cows and 8.57 per cent of the households possess buffalo.  The results indicate that, average own labour men available in the micro watershed was 1.71, average own labour (women) available was 1.63, average hired labour (men) available was 9.97 and average hired labour (women) available was 10.34.  The results indicate that, 100 per cent of the households opined that the hired labour was adequate.  The results indicate that, households of the Daddegallu-4 micro-watershed possess 22.19 ha (53.79%) of dry land and 19.06 ha (46.21%) of irrigated land. Marginal farmers possess 12.80 ha (100%) of dry land. Small farmers possess 6.40 ha (77.12%) of dry land and 1.90 ha (22.88%) of irrigated land. Semi medium farmers possess 2.98 ha (34.72%) of dry land and 5.61 ha (65.28%) of irrigated land. Medium farmers possess 11.55 ha (100%) of irrigated land.  The results indicate that, the average value of dry land was Rs. 455,071.14 and the average value of irrigated land was Rs. 471,974.53. In case of marginal famers, the average land value was Rs. 554,266.75 for dry land. In case of small famers, the average land value was Rs. 312,460.47 for dry land and Rs. 1,053,304.89 for irrigated land. In case of semi medium famers, the average land value was Rs. 335,142.47 for dry land and Rs. 498,989.91 for irrigated land. In case of medium farmers, the average land value was Rs. 363,362.53 for irrigated land.  The results indicate that, there were 8 functioning and 1 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 22.86 per cent of the farmers.  The results indicate that, the depth of bore well was found to be 15.41 meters.  The results indicate that small, semi medium and medium farmers had an irrigated area of 1.46 ha, 5.91 ha and 4.27 ha respectively  The results indicate that, farmers have grown maize (28.05 ha), sunflower (1.62 ha), wheat (0.40 ha), cotton (1.72 ha) and sorghum (1.62 ha).  The results indicate that, the cropping intensity in Daddegallu-4 micro-watershed was found to be 77.81 per cent.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for maize was Rs. 37329.95. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 35299.26. The net income from maize cultivation was Rs. -2030.68. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.95. 3  The total cost of cultivation for sunflower was Rs. 25088.62. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 32604.00. The net income from sunflower cultivation was Rs. 7515.38. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.3.  The total cost of cultivation for wheat was Rs. 39197.98. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 18525.00. The net income from wheat cultivation was Rs. - 20672.98. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.47.  The total cost of cultivation for cotton was Rs. 250587.55. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 70269.08. The net income from cotton cultivation was Rs. -180318.47. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.28.  The total cost of cultivation for Sorghum was Rs. 14835.25. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 21211.13. The net income from Sorghum cultivation was Rs. 6375.87. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.43.  The results indicate that, 42.86 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was adequate, 8.57 per cent of the households opined that green fodder was adequate.  The results indicate that the annual gross income was Rs. 38,015.79 for marginal farmers, for small farmers it was Rs. 45,771.43, for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 84,120, and for medium farmers it was Rs. 82,550.  The results indicate that the average annual expenditure is Rs. 4,261.33. For marginal farmers it was Rs. 3,222.00, for small farmers it was Rs. 3,718.37, for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 7,780.00 and for medium farmers it was Rs. 5,750.00.  . The results indicate that, households have planted 32 neem, 2 banyan and 1 peepul trees in their field  The results indicate that, households average additional investment capacity of Rs, 5,960.00 for land development, for Rs,458.71 for irrigation facility, Rs, 4325.71 for improved crop production and Rs,657.14 for Improved livestock management.  The results indicate that, Loan from bank was the source of additional investment for 80 per cent for land development, 8.57 per cent for irrigation facility, 71.43 per cent for improved crop production and 17.14 improved livestock management. Soft loan was the source of additional investment for 2.86 per cent of the households for improved livestock management.  The results indicated that, cotton, sorghum, maize and wheat were sold to the extent of 100 per cent and sunflower was sold to the extent of 93.75 per cent.  The results indicated that, about 91per cent of the farmers sold their produce to local/village merchants, about 20 per cent of the former sold their produce to Agent/ traders and 2.86 per cent of the farmers sold their produce to regulated market.  The results indicated that, about 91 per cent of the farmers sold their produce to local/village merchants, about 20 per cent of the former sold their produce to 4 Agent/ traders and 2.86 per cent of the farmers sold their produce to regulated market.  The results indicated that, 77.14 per cent of the households have experienced soil and water erosion problems in the farm.  The results indicated that, 77.14 per cent have shown interest in soil test.  The results indicated that, 74.29 per cent of the households used firewood and 25.71 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 74.29 per cent of the households, bore well was the source of drinking water for 17.14 per cent and lake/tank was the major source of drinking water for 8.57 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, 31.43 per cent of the households possess sanitary toilet facility. The results indicated that, 97.14 per cent of the sampled households possessed BPL card and 2.86 per cent of the households did not possess PDS card.  The results indicated that, 51.43 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 80 per cent, oilseeds were adequate for 94.29 per cent, vegetables were adequate for 82.86 per cent, fruits were adequate for 2.86 milk was adequate for 91.43 per cent, eggs were adequate for 22.86 per cent and meat was adequate for 5.71 per cent.  The results indicated that, pulses were inadequate for 20 per cent of the households, oilseeds were inadequate for 5.71 per cent, vegetables were inadequate for 14.29 per cent, fruits were inadequate for 80 per cent, milk was inadequate for 5.71 per cent, eggs were inadequate for 68.57 per cent and meat was inadequate for 85.71 per cent of the households.  The results indicated that, lower fertility status of the soil 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 (82.86%), inadequacy of irrigation water (8.57%), high cost of fertilizers and plant protection chemicals (82.86%), high rate of interest on credit (97.14%), low price for the agricultural commodities (68.57%), lack of marketing facilities in the area (85.71%), lack of transport for safe transport of the agricultural produce to the market (34.29%), less rainfall (20%) and source of agri-technology information (17.14%).