LAND RESOURCE INVENTORY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF FARM HOUSEHOLDS FOR WATERSHED PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT CHILKAMUKI (4D4A1R1e) MICRO WATERSHED Irakallagada Hobli, Koppal Taluk and District, Karnataka

Abstract

The land resource inventory of Chilkamuki 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 659 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 99 per cent is covered by soils and one per cent is by water bodies. The salient findings from the land resource inventory are summarized briefly below.  The soils belong to 17 soil series and 35 soil phases (management units) and 8 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 29 per cent of the soils are shallow to moderately shallow (25-75 cm), 41 per cent of the soils are moderately deep to deep (75-150 cm) and 16 per cent soils are very deep (>150 cm).  About 14 per cent area has sandy soils, 48 per cent area has loamy soils and 24 per cent area has clay soils.  About 34 per cent area has non-gravelly (<15% gravel) soils and 52 per cent has gravelly to very gravelly (15-60%) soils.  About 60 per cent area is very low to low (<50-100 mm/m), 9 per cent area has medium (101-150 mm/m) and 17 per cent area is high to very high (151- >200 mm/m) in available water capacity.  About 12 per cent area has nearly level (0-1%) lands and 74 per cent area has very gently to gently sloping (1-5%) lands.  About 19 per cent area is slight eroded (e1) and 67 per cent area is moderately eroded (e2) lands.  About 52 per cent area is strongly to slightly acid (pH 5.0-6.5), 17 per cent is neutral (pH 6.5-7.3) and 17 per cent area is slightly alkaline (pH 7.3-7.8) to very strongly alkaline (pH >9.0) in soil reaction.  Entire area is non saline (<2 dsm-1) in electrical conductivity (EC).  Organic carbon is medium (0.5-0.75%) in 11 per cent area and high (>0.75%) in 75 per cent area.  About 19 per cent area is medium (23-57 kg/ha) and 67 per cent area is high (>57 kg/ha) in available phosphorus.  About 33 per cent area is low (<145 kg/ha), medium (145-337 kg/ha) in 36 per cent area and 17 per cent area is high (>337 kg/ha) in available potassium.  About 40 per cent area is low (<10 ppm), 46 per cent medium (10-20 ppm) and 1 per cent high (>20 ppm) in available sulphur.  Available boron is low (<0.5 ppm) in about 66 per cent are and medium (0.5-1.0 ppm) in 20 per cent area.  Available iron is deficient (<4.5 ppm) in 19 per cent area and sufficient (>4.5 ppm) in 67 per cent area.  Available zinc is deficient (<0.6 ppm) in 16 per cent area and sufficient (>0.6 ppm) in 70 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 30 (5) 193(29) Pomegranate 40 (6) 220 (33) Maize 27(4) 232 (35) Guava 40 (6) 124 (19) Bajra 50 (8) 384 (58) Jackfruit 40 (6) 124 (19) Groundnut 63 (10) 262 (40) Jamun - 237 (36) Sunflower 30 (5) 130 (20) Musambi 43 (7) 217 (33) Cotton 3 (<1) 219 (33) Lime 43 (7) 217 (33) Red gram 27 (4) 109 (17) Cashew 40 (6) 140 (21) Bengalgram 72 (11) 214 (32) Custard apple 67 (10) 409 (62) Chilli 27 (4) 100 (15) Amla 64 (10) 412 (63) Tomato 27 (4) 100 (15) Tamarind - 113 (17) Drumstick 41 (6) 181 (27) Marigold 27 (4) 196 (30) Mulberry 42 (6) 298 (45) Chrysanthemum 27 (4) 196 (30) Mango - 41 (6) Jasmine 27 (4) 100 (15) Sapota 40 (6) 124 (19) Crossandra 27 (4) 127 (19) Apart from the individual crop suitability, a proposed crop plan has been prepared for the 8 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 STUDY  Results indicated that 35 farmers were sampled in Chilkamuki micro watershed among them 15 (42.86%) were marginal farmers, 14 (40 %) were small farmers, 1(2.86 %) were semi medium farmers and 5 (14.29 %) landless farmers were also interviewed for the survey.  The data indicated that there were 148 population households were there in the studied micro watershed. Among them 80 (54.05%) men and 68 (45.95 %) were women. The average family size of landless was 3, marginal farmers and medium farmers were 4, small farmer was 6 and semi medium farmer was 5. On an average the family size was 4.  The data indicated that 18(12.16%) people were in 0-15 years of age, 72 (48.65 %) were in 16-35 years of age, 42 (23.38 %) were in 36-60 years of age and 16 (10.81%) were above 61 years of age.  The results indicated that the Chilkamuki had 38.51 per cent illiterates, 20.95 per cent of them had primary school education, 12.84 per cent of them had both middle school, 18.24 per cent them had high school education, 6.76 per cent of them had PUC education, 0.68 per cent them had ITI education, 1.35 per cent of them had degree education and 0.68 per cent them had others.  The results indicated that, 82.86 per cent of households practicing agriculture, 5.71 per cent of the household heads were agricultural labour 8.57 per cent of the household heads were general labour.  The results indicated that agriculture was the major occupation for 72.30 per cent of the household members, 4.05 per cent were agricultural labourers, 6.76 per cent were general labours and 14.86 per cent of them were students. In case of landless households 31.25 per cent were agriculture labour, 56.25 per cent were general labourers and 12.50 per cent were students. In case of marginal farmers 89.83 per cent were agriculturist and 10.17 per cent were students. In case of small farmers 75 per cent of them were agriculturist and 17.65 per cent of them were students. In case of semi medium farmers 60 per cent of the family members were agriculturist and 40 per cent of them were students.  The results showed that 1.35 per cent of them participated in self help groups and 98.65 per cent of them have not participated in any local institutions.  The results indicated that 82.86 per cent of the households possess Katcha house and 8.57 per cent of the households possess Pucca house and Thatched house respectively.  The results showed that, 77.14 per cent of the households possess TV and Mixer grinder, 80 per cent of the households possess bicycle, 11.43 per cent of the households possess motor cycle and 85.71 per cent of the households possess mobile. 2  The results showed that the average value of television was Rs. 3000, mixer grinder was Rs.1018, bicycle was Rs.1089, motor cycle was Rs.26000 and mobile phone was Rs.772.  Data showed that 11.43 per cent of the households possess bullock cart, 37.14 per cent of them possess plough, 20 per cent of the households possess sprayer, 85.71 per cent of the households possess weeder and 22.86 per cent of the households possess chaff cutter.  The results showed that the average value of bullock cart was Rs.20000; the average value of plough was Rs. 591, the average value of sprayer was Rs. 3571, the average value of weeder was Rs. 31 and the average value of chaff cutter was Rs. 2500.  The results indicated that, 37.14 per cent of the households possess bullocks and 2.86 per cent of the households possess crossbred cow. In case of marginal farmers, 26.67 per cent of the households possess bullock. In case of small farmers, 64.29 per cent of households possess bullock and 7.14 per cent possess crossbred cow.  The results indicated that, average own labour men available in the micro watershed was 11.23 average own labour (women) available was 10.97, average hired labour (men) available was 1.57 and average hired labour (women) available was 1.83. In case of marginal farmers, average own labour men available was 8.33, average own labour (women) was also 8.53, average hired labour (men) was 1.53 and average hired labour (women) available was 1.87. In case of small farmers, average own labour men available was 14.64, average own labour (women) was 13.79, average hired labour (men) was 1.57 and average hired labour (women) available was 1.86. In case of semi medium farmers, average own labour men available was 7, average own labour (women) was 8, average hired labour (men) was 2 and average hired labour (women) available was 1.  The results indicated that, 94.29 per cent of the household opined that hired labour was adequate.  The results indicated that, households of the Chilkamuki micro watershed possess 30.97 ha (96.23 %) of dry land and 1.21 ha (3.77%) of irrigated land. Marginal farmers possess 11.02 ha (100%) of dry land. Small farmers possess 19.95 ha (100 %) of dry land. Semi medium farmers possess 1.21 ha (100%) of irrigated land.  The results indicated that, the average value of dry land was Rs. 293,701.82 and average value of irrigated was Rs. 411,666.67. In case of marginal famers, the average land value was Rs. 389,904.55 for dry land. In case of small famers, the average land value was Rs. 240,535.60 for dry land. In case of semi medium famers, the average land value was Rs. 411,666.67 for irrigated land.  The results indicated that, there were 1 functioning bore wells in the micro watershed. 3  The results indicated that, bore well was the major irrigation source for 2.86 per cent of the farmers.  The results indicated that on an average the depth of the bore well was 2.44 meters.  The results indicated that, in case of semi medium farmers there was 0.81 ha of irrigated land.  The results indicated that, farmers have grown groundnut (9.66 ha), Navane (0.81 ha), paddy (0.81 ha), Red gram (1.62 ha), sunflower (4.98 ha) and maize (1.62 ha). Marginal farmers have grown groundnut, navane and sunflower. Small farmers have grown groundnut, redgram, sunflower and maize. Semi medium farmers have grown paddy.  The results indicated that, the cropping intensity in Chilkamuki micro watershed was found to be 100 per cent. In case of marginal farmers it was 103per cent, in small farmers it was 100 and in semi medium farmers it was 66.67.  The results indicated that, 91.43 per cent of the households have bank account including 40 per cent of the landless and 100 per cent of the marginal, small and semi medium farmers respectively.  The results indicated that, 40 per cent of the landless, 86.67 per cent of marginal, 100 per cent of small and semi medium farmers have borrowed credit from different sources.  The results indicated that, 11.76 per cent have availed loan in commercial bank and friends/ relatives correspondingly, 52.94 per cent have availed loan from Grameena bank, 23.52 per cent have availed loan from money lender and 29.41 per cent have availed loan from SHGs/CBOs.  The results indicated that, marginal, small and semi medium have availed Rs.10000, Rs. 11923.08 and Rs. 16428.57 respectively. Overall average credit amount availed by households in the micro watershed is 13500.  The results indicated that, 100 per cent of the households have borrowed loan institutional credit for agriculture production.  The results indicated that, about 80 percent of private credit was taken for agriculture production and 20 per cent of the loan taken for household consumption.  Results indicated that 100 percent of the households have unpaid their institutional loan.  Results indicated that 82.82 per cent of the households have repaid their private credit partially, 9.09 percent of the households have unpaid their loan and 9.09 per cent of them fully paid their loan.  The results indicated that 100 per cent of the households were opined that they were helped to perform timely agricultural operations.  The results indicated that, the total cost of cultivation for maize was Rs. 24649.75. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 22656.01. The net income from 4 maize cultivation was Rs. -1993.74. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.92.  The results indicated that, the total cost of cultivation for paddy was Rs. 35697.58. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 109359.25. The net income from paddy cultivation was Rs. 73661.67. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:3.06.  The results indicated that, the total cost of cultivation for groundnut was Rs. 43389.06. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 56396.58. The net income from groundnut cultivation was Rs. 13007.52. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.3.  The results indicated that, the total cost of cultivation for Sunflower was Rs. 26654.19. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 45506.01. The net income from Sunflower cultivation was Rs. 18851.82. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.71.  The results indicated that, the total cost of cultivation for Red gram was Rs. 16982.11. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 148200. The net income from Red gram cultivation was Rs. 131217.89. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:8.73.  The results indicated that, the total cost of cultivation for Navane was Rs. 17558.19. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 23341.50. The net income from Navane cultivation was Rs. 5783.31. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.33.  The results indicated that, 31.43 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was adequate.  The table indicated that, in landless farmers, the average income from wage was Rs. 51000. In marginal farmers the average income from service/salary was Rs.5333.33, wage was Rs.41000 and agriculture Rs.28654. In case of small farmers the average income from service/salary was Rs.6785.71, wage was Rs.28928.57, agriculture was Rs.57380 and dairy farm was Rs.964.29. In case of semi medium farmers, the average income from wage was Rs.10000 and agriculture Rs.110000.  The results indicated that, in landless farmer, the average expenditure from wage was Rs. 1250.In marginal farmers; the average expenditure from agriculture was Rs.15866.67. In small farmers the average expenditure from agriculture was Rs.35071.43 and dairy farm was Rs.8000. In semi medium farmers the average expenditure from agriculture was Rs.65000.  The results indicated that, sampled households have grown 9 coconut trees and 6 mango tree in their field.  The results indicated that, households have planted 1 teak trees, 69 neem trees, 5 tamarind tress and 2 banyan trees in their field. 5  The results indicate that, households have an average investment capacity of Rs. 1428.57 for land development, Rs. 571.43 for improved crop production and Rs.2571.43 for improved livestock management. Marginal households have an average investment capacity of Rs. 6000 for improved livestock management. Small farmers have an average investment capacity of Rs. 3571.43 for land development and Rs.1428.57 for improved crop production.  The results indicated that for 2.86 per cent of the households were dependent on loan from the bank for land development and irrigation facility and improved crop production respectively. 5.71 per cent of the households were dependent on loan from the bank for improved livestock management.  The results indicated that, maize, navane, paddy, red gram and sunflower crops were sold to the extent of 100 per cent. Bajra and groundnut were sold to the extent of 98.78 per cent and 90.65 per cent respectively.  The results indicated that, 25.71 percent of the households have sold their produce to local/village merchant and 68.57 percent of the households sold their produce in regulated markets.  The results indicated that 62.86 per cent of the households have used tractor as a mode of transport, and 31.43 per cent have used truck.  The results indicated that, 22.86 per cent of the households have experienced the soil and water erosion problems i.e. 26.67 percent of marginal farmers and 28.57 per cent of small farmers.  The results indicated that, 91.43 per cent of the households have shown interest in soil testing.  The results indicated that, 94.29 percent used fire wood as a source of fuel and 8.57 percent of the households used LPG.  The results indicated that, piped supply was the source of drinking water for 97.14 per cent and 2.86 per cent of them were using bore well for drinking water.  The results indicated that, electricity was the major source of light for 100 per cent of the households.  The results indicated that, 57.14 per cent of the households possess sanitary toilet i.e. 40 per cent of landless, 100 per cent of marginal, 14.29 per cent of small and 100 per cent of semi medium farmers had sanitary toilet facility.  The results indicated that, 100 per cent of the sampled households possessed BPL card.  The results indicated that, 62.86 per cent of the households participated in NREGA programme which included 100 per cent of the landless, marginal and semi medium and 7.14 percent of the small farmers respectively.  The results indicated that, cereals, pulses, oilseeds, vegetables, fruits , milk and egg were adequate for 100 per cent, 94.29 per cent, 2.86 per cent, 45.71 per cent, 14.29 per cent, 74.29 per cent and 8.57 per cent of the households respectively. 6  The results indicated that, pulses, oilseeds, vegetables, fruits, milk, egg and meat were inadequate for 5.71 per cent,65.71 per cent, 54.29 per cent,88.57 per cent, 25.71 per cent, 85.71 and 97.14 per cent of the households respectively.  The results indicated that, Lower fertility status of the soil was the constraint experienced by 51.43 per cent of the households, wild animal menace on farm field (74.29%), frequent incidence of pest and diseases (71.43%), inadequacy of irrigation water (25.71%), high cost of Fertilizers and plant protection chemicals (62.86%), high rate of interest on credit (25.71%), low price for the agricultural commodities (65.71%), lack of marketing facilities in the area (60%), inadequate extension services (28.57%), lack of transport for safe transport of the agricultural produce to the market (71.43%), less rainfall (14.29%) and Source of Agritechnology information(Newspaper/TV/Mobile) (2.86%).