LAND RESOURCE INVENTORY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF FARM HOUSEHOLDS FOR WATERSHED PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT BALACHAKRA-1 (4D5B1M1d) MICROWATERSHED Balichakra Hobli, Yadgir Taluk and District, Karnataka

Abstract

The land resource inventory of Balachakra-1 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 401 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 346 ha in the microwatershed is covered by soils, 16 ha by rock outcrops and about 38 ha by others (habitation and water bodies). The salient findings from the land resource inventory are summarized briefly below.  The soils belong to 9 soil series and 11 soil phases (management units) and 7 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 35 per cent area of the microwatershed has soils that are deep to very deep (100 - >150 cm) and 52 per cent soils are very shallow to moderately shallow (<25- 75 cm).  Entire cultivable area in the microwatershed has loamy soils.  About of 72 per cent area of the microwatershed has non gravelly (<15%) soils and 15 per cent has gravelly (15-35%) soils.  About 34 per cent area of the microwatershed is very high (>200 mm/m) in available water capacity, less than 1 per cent area low (51-100 mm/m) and 52 per cent area very low (<50 mm/m) in available water capacity.  An area of 22 per cent has nearly level (0-1% slope) lands, 50 per cent has very gently sloping (1-3% slope) lands and 15 per cent has gently sloping (3-5% slope) lands of the microwatershed.  An area of about 65 per cent area is moderately (e2) eroded and 22 per cent area is slightly (e1) eroded.  An area of about 33 per cent soils are neutral (pH 6.5-7.3) and 54 per cent are slightly alkaline (pH 7.3-7.8) in soil reaction.  The Electrical Conductivity (EC) of the soils in the entire cultivated area of the microwatershed is dominantly <2 dsm-1indicating that the soils are non-saline.  Entire cultivable area of the microwatershed is medium (0.50-0.75%) in organic carbon content.  About 14 per cent area is low (<23kg/ha) and 72 per area is medium (23-57 kg/ha) in available phosphorus.  An area 22 per cent is low (<145 kg/ha) and 64 per cent is medium (145-337 kg/ha) in available potassium of the microwatershed.  Available sulphur is medium (10-20 ppm) in the entire cultivated area of the microwatershed.  Available boron is low (<0.5 ppm) in 39 per cent and medium (0.5-1.0 ppm) in 48 per cent area of the microwatershed.  Available iron is sufficient (>4.5 ppm) in the entire cultivated area of the microwatershed.  Available manganese and copper are sufficient in the entire cultivated area of the microwatershed.  Available zinc is deficient (<0.6 ppm) in the entire cultivated 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 - 129(32) Guava - - Maize - 129(32) Sapota - - Bajra - 129(32) Pomegranate - - Groundnut - - Musambi - - Sunflower - - Lime - - Redgram - 129(32) Amla - - Bengal gram - - Cashew - - Cotton - - Jackfruit - - Chilli - - Jamun - - Tomato - - Custard apple - - Brinjal - - Tamarind - - Onion - - Mulberry - - Bhendi - - Marigold - - Drumstick - - Chrysanthemum - - 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 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 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 35 farmers were sampled in Balachakra-1 micro-watershed among them 2 (5.71 %) were landless and small farmers, 9 (25.71 %) were marginal farmers, 14 (40 %) were semi medium farmers and 3 (8.57 %) were medium farmers.  The data indicated that there were 84 (51.22 %) men and 80 (48.78 %) women among the sampled households. The average family size of landless farmers’ was 4, marginal farmers’ and semi medium farmers was 4.5, small farmers’ was 5.1 and medium farmers’ was 6.5.  The data indicated that, 35 (21.34 %) people were in 0-15 years of age, 76 (46.34 %) were in 16-35 years of age, 47 (28.66 %) were in 36-60 years of age and 6 (3.66 %) were above 61 years of age.  The results indicated that Balachakra-1 had 28.66 per cent illiterates, 25.61 per cent of them had primary school education, 1.83 per cent of them had middle school education, diploma and degree, 31.10 per cent of them had high school education and 6.71 per cent of them had PUC education 0.61 per cent of them had Diploma and ITI and 2.44 per cent of them had Degree education.  The results indicate that, 94.29 per cent of household heads were practicing agriculture and 5.71 per cent of the household heads were agricultural laborer.  The results indicate that agriculture was the major occupation for 37.20 per cent of the household members, 18.29 per cent were agricultural laborers, 1.83 per cent were general laborers, 1.22 per cent were Household industry, 4.27 per cent were Trade & Business, 19.51 per cent were in student, 11.59 per cent were housewives and 5.49 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 2.86 per cent of the households possess thatched house and 97.14 per cent of the households possess katcha house.  The results show that 85.71 per cent of the households possess TV, 2.86 per cent of them possess mixer/grinder, 11.43 per cent of the households possess motor cycle and 80 per cent of the households possess mobile phones.  The results show that the average value of television was Rs. 6,790, mixer/grinder was Rs. 2,000, motor cycle was Rs. 40,000 and mobile phone was Rs. 2,548.  About 2.86 per cent each of the households possess plough, Seed/Fertilizer Drill, Sprinkler, Weeder and Harvester.  The result shows that, the average value of plough was Rs. 10,000, seed/ fertilizer drill was Rs. 15,000, Sprinkler was Rs. 5,000 Weeder was Rs. 200 and Harvester was Rs. 150. 2  The results indicate that, 28.57 per cent of the households possess bullocks and 5.71 per cent of the households possess local cow.  The results indicate that, average own labour men available in the micro watershed was 1.97, average own labour (women) available was 1.32, average hired labour (men) available was 7.23 and average hired labour (women) available was 7.49.  The results indicate that, 91.43 per cent of the households opined that the hired labour was adequate.  The results indicate that, households of the Balachakra-1 micro-watershed possess 24.63 ha (60.25 %) of dry land and 16.25 ha (39.75 %) of irrigated land. Marginal farmers possess 6.21 ha (100 %) of dry land. Small farmers possess 16.39 ha (91.01 %) of dry land and 1.62 ha (8.99 %) of irrigated land. Semi medium farmers possess 2.02 ha (19.88 %) of dry land and 8.15 ha (80.12 %) of irrigated land. Medium farmers possess 6.48 ha (100 %) of irrigated land.  The results indicate that, the average value of dry land was Rs. 966,080.52 and the average value of irrigated land was Rs. 381,419.68. In case of marginal famers, the average land value was Rs. 740,195.44 for dry land. In case of small famers, the average land value was Rs. 1,073,382.71 for dry land and Rs. 370,500 for irrigated land. In case of semi medium famers, the average land value was Rs. 790,400 for dry land and the average land value was Rs. 429,032.26 of irrigated land. In case of medium famers, the average land value was Rs. 324,187.50 of irrigated land.  The results indicate that, there were 5 de-functioning and 9 functioning bore well in the micro watershed.  The results indicate that, there were 1 de-functioning and 1 functioning open well in the micro watershed.  The results indicate that, bore well was the major irrigation source in the micro water shed for 25.71 per cent of the farmers and open 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 17.68 meters and the depth of open well was found to be 1.31 meters.  The results indicate that marginal, small, semi-medium and medium farmers had an irrigated area of 0.89 ha, 1.62 ha, 7.02 ha and 4.45 ha respectively.  The results indicate that, farmers have grown red gram (11.08 ha), cotton (17.01 ha), sorghum (2.43 ha), Groundnut (9.54 ha) and paddy (3.04 ha).  The results indicate that, the cropping intensity in Balachakra-1 micro-watershed was found to be 95.26 per cent.  The results indicate that, 82.86 per cent of the households have bank account and savings.  The results indicate that, 82.86 per cent of the households have availed credit from different sources. 3  The results indicate that, 31.03 per cent of the households have borrowed from commercial bank and 6.90 per cent of the households have Grameena Bank and 34.48 per cent of the households have borrowed from moneylender traders.  The results indicate that, the average credit amount borrowed by households in micro-watershed was Rs, 90,517.24.  The results indicate that, 100 per cent of the households borrowed from institutional sources for the purpose of agricultural production.  The results indicate that, 55.56 per cent of the households borrowed from private sources for the purpose of agricultural production, 11.11 per cent of the households borrowed from private sources for the purpose of income generating activities, Construction-house, Construction-cattle shed and Healthcare.  The results indicated that 100 per cent of the households not paid their loan borrowed from institutional sources.  The results indicated that 100 per cent of the households did not repay their loan borrowed from private 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, around 30 per cent opined that the loan amount was adequate to easy accessibility of credit around and 70 per cent opined that the loan amount was adequate to helped to perform timely agricultural operations.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for red gram was Rs. 44235.53. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 43599.31. The net income from red gram cultivation was Rs. -636.22. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1: 0.99.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for cotton was Rs. 45439.91. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 65467.19. The net income from cotton cultivation was Rs. 20027.28. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1: 1.44.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for Paddy was Rs. 46322.08. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 40755. The net income from Paddy cultivation was Rs. -5567.08. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1: 0.88.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for groundnut was Rs. 52546.75. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 87949.72. The net income from groundnut cultivation was Rs. 35402.96. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1: 1.67.  The results indicate that, 42.86 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was adequate. 4  The results indicate that the annual gross income for marginal farmers it was Rs. 103,777.78, for small farmers it was Rs. 122,000, for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 189,000 and medium farmers it was Rs. 112,500.  The results indicate that the average annual expenditure is Rs. 8,223.25. For marginal farmers it was Rs. 6,209.88, for small farmers it was Rs. 3,064.36, for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 14,836.73 and for medium farmers it was Rs. 28,388.89.  The results indicate that, households have planted 34 neem and 1 Peepul tree in their field also 2 neem trees in their backyard.  The results indicated that, households have an average investment capacity of Rs. 6,942.86 for land development and Rs. 142.86 for irrigation facility.  The results indicated that Soft loan was the source of additional investment for 65.71 per cent for land development and 2.86 per cent for irrigation facility.  The results indicated that, cotton was sold to the extent of 100 per cent, groundnut was sold to the extent of 96.45 per cent, paddy was sold to the extent of 64.62 per cent and red gram was sold to the extent of 88.24 per cent.  The results indicated that, 20 per cent of the farmers sold their produce to local/village merchants, 74.29 per cent of them sold in regulated markets and 5.71 per cent of them sold in cooperative marketing Society.  The results indicated that, 97.14 per cent of the households have used tractor as a mode of transportation for their agricultural produce and 2.86 per cent of the households have used Cart as a mode of transportation for their agricultural produce.  The results indicated that, 2.86 per cent of the households have experienced soil and water erosion problems in the farm.  The results indicated that, 42.86 per cent have shown interest in soil test.  The results indicated that, 2.86 per cent have field bunding and graded bund, 37.14 per cent have adopted Summer Ploughing, 25.71 per cent have adopted Dead Furrow and 14.29 per cent have adopted Mulching.  The results indicated that, 100 per cent have graded bund.  The results indicated that, 97.14 per cent of the households used firewood and 2.86 per cent of the households used Dung Cake as a source of fuel.  The results indicated that, piped supply was the major source of drinking water for 88.57 per cent of the households in the micro watershed and 11.43 bore well was the major source of drinking water for 11.43 per cent.  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, 37.14 per cent of the households possess sanitary toilet facility. 5  The results indicated that, 100 per cent of the sampled households possessed BPL card.  The results indicated that, 94.29 per cent of the households participated in NREGA programme.  The results indicated that, cereals were adequate for 100 per cent, pulses were adequate for 94.29 per cent, oilseed were adequate for 74.29 per cent of the households, vegetables were adequate for 65.71 per cent, fruits was adequate for 34.29 per cent and milk were adequate for 51.43 per cent, Egg were adequate for 42.86 per cent and Meat were adequate for 20 per cent.  The results indicated that, pulses were inadequate for 5.71 per cent of the households, oilseed were inadequate 25.71 per cent of the households, vegetables were inadequate for 34.29 per cent, fruits was inadequate for 65.71 per cent, milk were inadequate for 45.71 per cent and egg were inadequate for 54.29 per cent and meat were inadequate for 77.14 per cent.  The results indicated that, lower fertility status of the soil was the constraint experienced by 80 per cent of the households, wild animal menace on farm field (25.71 %), frequent incidence of pest and diseases (88.57%) and low price for the agricultural commodities (67.65%), High cost of Fertilizers and plant protection chemicals (91.43 %), inadequacy of irrigation water (80 %), high rate of interest on credit (80 %), Low price for the agricultural commodities (77.14 %), and Lack of transport for safe transport of the Agril produce to the market (88.57 %), Inadequate extension services (65.71 %), lack of marketing facilities in the area (85.71 %) and Lack of transport for safe transport of the Agril produce to the market (2.94%).