LAND RESOURCE INVENTORY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF FARM HOUSEHOLDS FOR WATERSHED PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT RAGHUNATHANAHALLI WEST-2 (4D4A2M4c) MICRO WATERSHED Alavandi Hobli, Koppal Taluk and District, Karnataka

Abstract

The land resource inventory of Raghunathanahalli West-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 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 238 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 97 per cent is covered by soils and 2 per cent is by water bodies and less than one per cent by rock outcrops. The salient findings from the land resource inventory are summarized briefly below.  The soils belong to 9 soil series and 17 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 58 per cent of the soils are shallow to moderately shallow (25-75 cm), 13 per cent of the soils are moderately deep to deep (75-150 cm) and 26 per cent soils are very deep (>150 cm).  About 55 per cent area has clayey soils at the surface and an area of 42 per cent has loamy soils.  About 42 per cent area has non-gravelly (<15% gravel) soils and 56 per cent has gravelly to very gravelly (15-60%) soils.  About 60 per cent area is very low to low (<50-100 mm/m) and 38 per cent area is very high (>200 mm/m) in available water capacity.  An area of about 84 per cent has very gently sloping (1-3%) lands and 14 per cent area has nearly level (0-1%) lands.  About 80 per cent area is slightly eroded (e1) and about 18 per cent area is moderately eroded (e2) lands.  Major area of about 81 per cent is slightly alkaline (pH 7.3-7.8) to very strongly alkaline (pH >9.0) and 16 per cent area is neutral (pH 6.5-7.3) in soil reaction.  The Electrical Conductivity (EC) of the soils are dominantly <2 dsm-1 indicating that the soils are non-saline.  Organic carbon is medium (0.5-0.75%) in 59 per cent of the soils are and high (>0.75%) in 38 per cent area.  An area of about 57 per cent is low (<23 kg/ha) and 40 per cent is medium (23-57 kg/ha) in available phosphorus.  An area of 21 per cent is medium (145-337 kg/ha) and about 76 per cent is high (>337 kg/ha) in available potassium.  Available sulphur is low (<10 ppm) in 26 per cent area, medium (10-20 ppm) in about 41 per cent area and high (>20 ppm) in 30 per cent area.  Available boron is low (<0.5 ppm) in about 55 per cent area, medium (0.5-1.0 ppm) in 39 per cent area and high (>1.0 ppm) in 3 per cent area.  Available iron is deficient (<4.5 ppm) in 72 per cent area and sufficient (>4.5 ppm) in 25 per cent area.  Available zinc is deficient (<0.6 ppm) in 45 per cent area and sufficient (>0.6 ppm) in 52 per cent area.  Available copper and manganese are sufficient in all the soils.  The land suitability for 28 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 - 194 (82) Pomegranate - 89 (38) Maize - 104 (44) Guava - - Bajra - 113 (47) Jackfruit - - Groundnut - 104 (44) Jamun - 89 (38) Sunflower - 89 (38) Musambi - 89 (38) Cotton 27 (11) 167 (70) Lime - 89 (38) Red gram - 89 (38) Cashew - 4 (2) Bengalgram 27 (11) 114 (48) Custard apple 27 (11) 171 (72) Chilli - 113 (47) Amla - 198 (83) Tomato - 104 (44) Tamarind - 89 (38) Drumstick - 89 (38) Marigold - 194 (82) Mulberry - 31 (13) Chrysanthemum - 194 (82) Mango - - Jasmine - 105 (44) Sapota - - Crossandra - 140 (59) 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 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. That would help in supplementing the farm income, provide fodder and fuel, and generate lot of biomass which inturn 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 105 (58.99%) men and 73 (41.01%) women among the sampled households.  The average family size of marginal farmers’ was 5.2, small farmers’ was 5.15, semi medium farmers’ was 4.6, medium farmers’ was 10 and large farmers’ was 3.  The data indicated that, 23 (12.92%) people were in 0-15 years of age, 75 (42.13%) were in 16-35 years of age, 64 (35.96%) were in 36-60 years of age and 16 (8.99%) were above 61 years  The results indicated that Raghunathanahalli West-2 had 22.47 per cent illiterates, 34.83 per cent of them had primary school education, 5.62 per cent of them had middle school education, 19.10 per cent of them had high school education, 4.49 per cent of them had PUC education, 1.69 per cent had diploma and masters, 0.56 per cent did ITI and 5.06 per cent of them had degree education.  The results indicate that, 94.29 per cent of household heads were practicing agriculture, and 2.86 per cent of the household heads were agricultural laborers and private service.  The results indicate that agriculture was the major occupation for 66.29 per cent of the household members, 8.99 per cent were agricultural laborers, 1.12 per cent were in general labour and government service, 0.56 per cent were in artisans, trade and business and housewives, 3.93 per cent were in private service, 15.17 per cent were student and 1.69 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 5.71 per cent of the households possess thatched house, 71.43 per cent of the households possess katcha house and 11.43 per cent of them possess pucca/RCC house and semi pacca house.  The results show that 77.14 per cent of the households possess TV, 2.86 per cent of them possess DVD/VCD player, refrigerator, land line and computer/ laptop, 68.57 per cent of them possess mixer/grinder, 57.14 per cent of them possess bicycle, 51.43 per cent of them possess motor cycle, 5.71 per cent of them possess auto and 97.14 per cent of the households possess mobile phones.  The results show that the average value of television was Rs. 3151, DVD/VCD player was Rs.1300, mixer grinder was Rs. 1383, refrigerator was Rs.12000, bicycle was Rs.1033, motor cycle was Rs. 28,485, auto was Rs. 21,000, land line was Rs. 1,200, mobile phone was Rs. 802 and computer/laptop was Rs. 30,000.  About 14.29 per cent of the households possess bullock cart, plough and tractor, 2.86 per cent possess seed/ fertilizer drill, 28.57 per cent of them possess sprayer, 2 88.57 per cent of them possess weeder 11.43 per cent possess chaff cutter and 5.71 per cent possess earth remover/ duster.  The results show that the average value of bullock cart was Rs. 12,800, plough was Rs. 2,360, seed/ fertilizer drill was Rs. 35,000, tractor was Rs. 240,000, sprayer was Rs. 2,650, weeder was Rs.62, Chaff cutter was Rs. 1,650 and the average value of earth remover/ duster was Rs.10,000.  The results indicate that, 5.71 per cent of the households possess bullocks, 20.00 per cent of the households possess local cow, 8.57 per cent possess buffalo and 2.86 per cent of the households possess goat.  The results indicate that, average own labour men available in the micro watershed was 2.11, average own labour (women) available was 1.60, average hired labour (men) available was 11.11 and average hired labour (women) available was 10.26. The results indicate that, 888.57 per cent of the households opined that the hired labour was adequate and 11.43 per cent of the households opined that the hired labour was inadequate.  The results indicate that, households of the Raghunathanahalli West-2 microwatershed possess 82.57 ha (92.87%) of dry land and 6.34 ha (7.13%) of irrigated land. Marginal farmers possess 7.60 ha (100%) of dry land. Small farmers possess 17.50 ha (96.93%) of dry land and 0.55 ha (3.07%) of irrigated land. Semi medium farmers possess 22.67 ha (88.79%) of dry land and 2.86 ha (11.21%) of irrigated land. Medium farmers possess 2.92 ha (100%) of irrigated land. Large farmers possess 34.80 ha (100%) of dry land.  The results indicate that, the average value of dry land was Rs. 108,954.57 and the average value of irrigated land was Rs. 378,544.07. In case of marginal famers, the average land value was Rs. 328,982.42 for dry land. In case of small famers, the average land value was Rs. 191,362.16 for dry land and Rs. 360,583.94 for irrigated land. In case of semi medium famers, the average land value was Rs. 121,251.34 for dry land and Rs. 489,108.92 for irrigated land. In case of medium farmers, the average land value was Rs. 273,684.22 for irrigated land. In case of large farmers it was Rs. 11,488.37 for dry land.  The results indicate that, there were 1 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 2.86 per cent of the farmers.  The results indicate that, the depth of bore well was found to be 2.61 meters.  The results indicate that semi medium farmers had an irrigated area of 2.49 ha respectively.  The results indicate that, farmers have grown bajra (7.27 ha), bengal gram (12.96 ha), green gram (4.59 ha), groundnut (2.83 ha), maize (5.57 ha), navane (0.55 ha), red gram (2.43 ha), sorghum (11.91 ha) and sunflower (18.61 ha). Marginal 3 farmers have grown bajra groundnut, red gram, sorghum and sunflower. While small farmers have grown bajra, Bengal gram, navane, sorghum, sunflower and maize. Semi medium farmers have grown bajra, Bengal gram, green gram, groundnut, maize, red gram, sorghum and sunflower. Medium farmers have grown sunflower and Bengal gram. Large farmers have grown Bengal gram and sorghum.  The results indicate that, the cropping intensity in Raghunathanahalli West-2 micro-watershed was found to be 75.10 per cent.  The results indicate that, 34.29 per cent of the households have bank account and savings.  The results indicate that, 34.29 per cent of the households have availed credit from different sources.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for bajra was Rs. 20534.76. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 24896.58. The net income from bajra cultivation was Rs. 4361.83. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.21.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for Bengal gram was Rs. 29001.41. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 43669.40. The net income from Bengal gram cultivation was Rs. 14668.00. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.51.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for green gram was Rs. 17450.25. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 30372.61. The net income from green gram cultivation was Rs. 12922.36. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.74.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for groundnut was Rs. 35453.60. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 41303.89. The net income from groundnut cultivation was Rs. 5850.29. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.17.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for jowar was Rs. 18725.82. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 27559.83. The net income from jowar cultivation was Rs. 8834.00. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.47.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for maize was Rs. 31548.18. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 48720.69. The net income from maize cultivation was Rs. 17172.51. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.54.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for navane was Rs. 30370.30. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 56251.09. The net income from navane cultivation was Rs. 25880.80. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.85. 4  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for red gram was Rs. 20232.19. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 28960.75. The net income from red gram cultivation was Rs. 8728.56. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.43.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for sorghum was Rs. 20948.98. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 23650.01. The net income from sorghum cultivation was Rs. 2701.03. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.13.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for sunflower was Rs. 23157.86. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 35766.20. The net income from sunflower cultivation was Rs. 12608.34. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.54.  The results indicate that, 14.29 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was adequate and green fodder was adequate for 25.71 per cent of the households.  The results indicate that the annual gross income for marginal farmers it was Rs. 98,350, for small farmers it was Rs. 92,320.77, for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 132,700, for medium farmers it was Rs. 488,000 and for large farmers it was Rs115,000.  The results indicate that the average annual expenditure is Rs. 16,211.77. For marginal farmers it was Rs. 3,363.33, for small farmers it was Rs. 8,565.02, for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 152,433.33, for medium farmers it was Rs. 170,000 and for large farmers it was Rs. 100,000.  The results indicate that, sampled households have grown 44 coconut trees in their field.  The results indicate that, households have planted 6 yeak, 44 neem and 15 tamarind trees in their field.  The results indicated that, bajra was sold to the extent of 96.3 per cent, Bengal gram, green gram, groundnut, jowar, maize, red gram and sunflower was sold to the extent 100 per cent, Navane was sold to the extent of 83.33 per cent and sorghum was sold to the extent of 98.25 per cent.  The results indicated that, about 34.29 per cent of the farmers sold their produce to agent/traders, 80 per cent of the farmers sold their produce to local/village merchants and 20 per cent of them sold their produce through contract marketing arrangement.  The results indicated that, 14 per cent of the households used cart and 120 per cent of the households used tractor as a mode of transportation for their agricultural produce.  The results indicated that, 28.57 per cent of the households have experienced soil and water erosion problems in the farm. 5  The results indicated that, 54.29 per cent have shown interest in soil test.  The results indicated that, 74.29 per cent of the households used firewood and 28.57 per cent of the household used LPG as a source of fuel.  The results indicated that, piped supply was the major source of drinking water for 48.57 per cent of the households, bore well was the source of drinking water for 40 per cent, open well and lake/tank was the major source of drinking water for 2.86 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, 34.29 per cent of the households possess sanitary toilet facility.  The results indicated that, 2.86 per cent of the sampled households possessed APL, 88.57 per cent of the sampled households possessed BPL card and 8.57 per cent of the households did not possess PDS card.  The results indicated that, 28.57 per cent of the households participated in NREGA programme.  The results indicated that, cereals were adequate for 94.29 per cent of the households, pulses were adequate for 65.71 per cent, oilseeds were adequate for 34.29 per cent, vegetables were adequate for 68.57 per cent, milk was adequate for 62.86 per cent and meat were adequate for 2.86.  The results indicated that, cereals were inadequate for 2.86 per cent of the households, pulses were inadequate for 31.43 per cent, oilseeds were inadequate for 45.71 per cent, vegetables were inadequate for 17.14 per cent, fruits were inadequate for 51.43 per cent, milk was inadequate for 31.43 per cent, eggs were inadequate for 65.71 per cent and meat was inadequate for 57.14 per cent of the households.  The results indicated that, oilseeds were market surplus for 17.14 per cent of the households and vegetables was market surplus for 11.43 per cent of the households.  The results indicated that, lower fertility status of the soil was the constraint experienced by 57.14 per cent of the households, wild animal menace on farm field (71.43%), frequent incidence of pest and diseases (88.57%), inadequacy of irrigation water (22.86%), high cost of fertilizers and plant protection chemicals (74.29%), high rate of interest on credit (62.86%), low price for the agricultural commodities (60%), lack of marketing facilities in the area (65.71%), inadequate extension services (2.86%), lack of transport for safe transport of the agricultural produce to the market (54.29%) , less rainfall (45.71%) and source of agritechnology information (22.86%)