LAND RESOURCE INVENTORY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF FARM HOUSEHOLDS FOR WATERSHED PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT HUVINAHALU (4D4A1Y1d) MICROWATERSHED Koppal Taluk and District, Karnataka

Abstract

The land resource inventory of Huvinahalu 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 853 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 95 per cent is covered by soils, 4 per cent by rock outcrops and 1 per cent is by habitation and settlements. The salient findings from the land resource inventory are summarized briefly below.  The soils belong to 18 soil series and 44 soil phases (management units) and 8 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 31 major agricultural and horticultural crops were assessed and maps showing the degree of suitability along with constraints were generated.  An area of about 95 per cent is suitable for agriculture.  About 17 per cent of the soils are shallow to moderately shallow (25-75 cm), 70 per cent of the soils are moderately deep to deep (75-150 cm) and 8 per cent soils are very deep (>150 cm).  About 1 per cent area in the microwatershed has sandy soils, 26 per cent area in the microwatershed has loamy soils and 68 per cent clayey soils at the surface.  About 47 per cent area has non-gravelly (<15% gravel) soils and 48 per cent has gravelly to very gravelly (15-60% gravel) soils.  About 72 per cent area is very low to low (<50-100 mm/m) and 23 per cent area is medium to high (101-200 mm/m) in available water capacity.  About 17 per cent area of the microwatershed has nearly level (0-1% slope) lands and 77 per cent area of the microwatershed has very gently sloping (1-3% slope) lands.  An area of about 56 per cent area is moderately (e2) eroded and an area of about 39 per cent area is slightly (e1) eroded.  An area of about 14 per cent soils are strongly acid to slightly acid (pH 5.0-6.5), 15 per cent soils are neutral (pH 6.5-7.3) and 66 per cent soil are slightly alkaline to strongly alkaline (pH 7.3-9.0) in soil reaction.  The Electrical Conductivity (EC) of the soils in the entire cultivated area of the microwatershed is dominantly <2 dsm-1 indicating that the soils are non-saline.  Organic carbon is low (<0.5%) in 7 per cent area, medium (0.5-0.75%) in 72 per cent area and high (>0.75%) in 16 per cent area.  An area of about 94 per cent is medium (23-57 kg/ha) and 1 per cent is high (>57 kg/ha) in available phosphorus.  An area of about 13 per cent is low (<145 kg/ha), 60 per cent is medium (145-337 kg/ha) and 22 per cent is high (>337 kg/ha) in available potassium.  Entire cultivated area of the microwatershed is low (<10 ppm) in available sulphur.  An area of about 25 per cent is low (<0.5ppm) and 70 per cent is medium (0.5-1.0 ppm) in available boron content.  An area of about 25 per cent is sufficient (>4.5 ppm) and 70 per cent is deficient (<4.5 ppm) in available iron content.  Entire cultivated area of the microwatershed is sufficient (>1.0 ppm) in available manganese content.  Entire cultivated area of the microwatershed is sufficient (>0.2 ppm) in available copper content.  An area of about 79 per cent is deficient (<0.6 ppm) and 16 per cent is sufficient (>0.6 ppm) in available zinc content.  The land suitability for 31 major crops grown in the microwatershed was 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 109(13) 294(35) Sapota 148(17) 206(24) Maize 68(8) 335(39) Pomegranate 148(17) 241(28) Bajra 192(23) 340(40) Guava 77(9) 265(31) Groundnut 66(8) 535(63) Jackfruit 148(17) 195(23) Sunflower 108(13) 169(20) Jamun 53(6) 290(34) Cotton 72(8) 331(39) Musambi 148(17) 241(28) Red gram 108(13) 169(20) Lime 148(17) 241(28) Bengalgram 10(1) 410(48) Cashew 77(9) 240(28) Chilli 108(13) 144(17) Custard apple 202(24) 606(71) Tomato 108(13) 155(18) Amla 192(23) 616(72) Brinjal 144(17) 536(63) Tamarind 53(6) 217(25) Onion 96(11) 434(51) Marigold 99(12) 304(36) Bhendi 96(11) 585(69) Chrysanthemum 99(12) 304(36) Drumstick 157(18) 397(47) Jasmine 99(12) 258(30) Mulberry 182(21) 472(55) Crossandra 99(12) 153(18) Mango 53(6) 168(20)  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 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. That 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. SALIENT FINDINGS OF THE STUDY  Results indicated that 48 farmers were sampled in Huvinhalu micro watershed among them 14 (29.17%) were marginal farmers, 16 (33.33 %) were small farmers, 12(25 %) were semi medium farmers, 4 (8.33 %) were medium farmers and 2 (4.17 %) landless farmers were also interviewed for the survey.  The data indicated that there were 231 population households were there in the studied micro watershed. Among them 140(60.61%) men and 91 (39.39%) were women. The average family size of landless was 4, marginal farmers were 6 small and semi medium farmers were 5, medium farmer was 3.  The data indicated that 52 (22.51%) people were in 0-15 years of age, 98 (42.42%) were in 16-35 years of age, 63 (27.27%) were in 36-60 years of age and 18 (7.79%) were above 61 years of age.  The results indicated that the Huvinhalu had 28.14 per cent illiterates, 40.69 per cent of them had primary school education, 8.66 per cent of them had both middle school, 10.39 per cent them had high school education, 5.63 per cent of them had PUC education, 0.87 per cent of them had degree education and 5.63 per cent them had others.  The results indicated that, 93.75 per cent of households practicing agriculture and 6.25 per cent of the household heads were agricultural labour.  The results indicated that agriculture was the major occupation for 44.59 per cent of the household members, 26.41 per cent were agricultural labourers, 0.87 per cent were general labours, 0.43 percent were retired, 21.65 per cent of them were students, 1.73 per cent of them were housewives and 3.90 per cent were children housewives. In case of landless households 85.71 per cent were general labourers and 14.29 per cent were students. In case of marginal farmers 32.10 per cent were agriculturist and agricultural labour, 29.63 per cent of them were students and 2.47 of them were housewives and children respectively. In case of small farmers 42.47 per cent of them were agriculturist, 35.62 per cent of them were agricultural labour and 17.81 per cent of them were students. In case of semi medium farmers 59.65 per cent of the family members were agriculturist, 10.53 per cent of them were agricultural labour and 15.79 per cent of them were students. In case of medium farmers 46.15 per cent of the family members were agriculturist, 23.08 per cent of them were agricultural labour and 23.08 per cent of them were students.  The results showed that 0.43 per cent of them participated in Raitha Sangha and 99.57 per cent of them have not participated in any local institutions.  The results indicated that 68.75 per cent of the households possess Katcha house, 10.42 per cent of the households possess Pucca house, 12.50 per cent of the 2 households possess Semi Pacca house and 4.17 per cent of them possess Thatched house.  The results showed that, 2.08 per cent of the households possess radio, 87.50 per cent of the households possess TV, 79.17 per cent of the households possess Mixer grinder, 8.33 per cent of the households possess bicycle, 52.08 per cent of the households possess motor cycle and 95.83 per cent of the households possess mobile phones.  The results showed that the average value of radio was Rs. 2000, television was Rs. 6214, mixer grinder was Rs. 2039, bicycle was Rs. 2300, motor cycle was Rs. 36961 and mobile phone was Rs. 2481.  About 22.92 per cent of the households possess bullock cart, 47.92 per cent of them possess plough, 4.17 per cent of the households possess irrigation pump, 2.08 per cent of the households possess tractor, 54.17 per cent of the households possess sprayer and 66.67 per cent of the households possess weeder.  The results showed that the average value of bullock cart was Rs. 18545; the average value of plough was Rs. 2586, the average value of irrigation pump was Rs. 50000, the average value of tractor was Rs. 300000, the average value of sprayer was Rs. 4326 and the average value of weeder was Rs. 120.  The results indicated that, 25 per cent of the households possess bullocks, 25 per cent of the households possess local cow, 14.58 per cent of the households possess crossbred cow, 8.33 per cent of the households possess buffalo and 2.08 per cent possess goat.  In case of landless farmers, 50 per cent of the households possess bullock and 50 per cent of the households possess goat. In marginal farmers, 14.29 per cent of households possess both bullock and buffalo and 35.71 per cent possess local cow, in case of small, 25 per cent of the households possess bullock, 18.75 per cent possess local cow and 6.25 per cent possess buffalo. In case of semi medium farmers, 33.33 per cent of the households possess bullock, crossbred cow and local cow correspondingly, 8.33 per cent of the households possess buffalo. In medium farmers 25 per cent of the households possess bullock and 75 per cent of the households possess crossbred cow.  The results indicated that, average own labour men available in the micro watershed was 2, average own labour (women) available was 1.38, average hired labour (men) available was 7.06 and average hired labour (women) available was 6.73.  In case of marginal farmers, average own labour men available was 2.21, average own labour (women) was also 1.50, average hired labour (men) was 6.57 and average hired labour (women) available was 5.93. In case of small farmers, average own labour men available was 1.94, average own labour (women) was 1.31, average hired labour (men) was 7.56 and average hired 3 labour (women) available was 7.88. In case of semi medium farmers, average own labour men available was 2.17, average own labour (women) was 1.33, average hired labour (men) was 7.08 and average hired labour (women) available was 6.08. In medium farmers average own labour men available was 1.25, average own labour (women) was 1.25, average hired labour (men) was 8.75 and average hired labour (women) available was 8.75.  The results indicated that, 47.92 per cent of the household opined that hired labour was adequate and 52.08 per cent of the household opined that hired labour was inadequate.  The results indicated that, households of the Huvinhalu micro watershed possess 36.67 ha (57.54%) of dry land and 27.07 ha (42.46%) of irrigated land. Marginal farmers possess 9.88 ha (96.06%) of dry land and 0.40 ha (3.94%) of irrigated land. Small farmers possess 12.23 ha (68.63%) of dry land and 5.59 ha (31.37 %) of irrigated land. Semi medium farmers possess 14.56 ha (59.49%) of dry land and 9.92 ha (40.51%) of irrigated land. Medium farmers possess 11.15 ha (100%) of irrigated land.  The results indicated that, the average value of dry land was Rs. 299,823.44 and average value of irrigated was Rs. 391,477.27. In case of marginal famers, the average land value was Rs. 485,702.58 for dry land and Rs. 1,235,000 for irrigated land. In case of small famers, the average land value was Rs. 265,547.47 for dry land Rs. 697,033.28 for irrigated land. In case of semi medium famers, the average land value was Rs. 192,217.90 for dry land and Rs. 362,938.78 for irrigated land. In case of medium famers, the average land value was Rs. 233,018.86 for irrigated land.  The results indicated that, there were 19 functioning bore wells in the micro watershed.  The results indicated that, bore well was the major irrigation source for 39.58 per cent of the farmers.  The results indicated that on an average the depth of the bore well was 36.98 meters.  The results indicated that, in case of marginal farmers there was 0.40 ha of irrigated land, in case of small farmers there was 5.60 ha of irrigated land, semi medium farmers were having 10.32 ha of irrigated land and medium farmers were having 11.04 ha of irrigated land. On an average there were 27.36 ha of irrigated land.  The results indicated that, farmers have grown bajra (7.30 ha), banana (0.81 ha), Bangalore brinjal (1.34 ha), chilly (0.85 ha), cotton (0.85 ha), groundnut (3.08 ha), maize (36.28 ha), onion (0.40ha), redgram (4.45 ha), sorghum (1.32ha), sunflower (0.45 ha) and tomato (0.81ha). Marginal farmers had grown bajra, cotton, maize, redgram and sunflower. Small farmers had grown bajra, 4 chilly, groundnut, maize, redgram, onion and sorghum. Semi medium farmers had grown bajra, banana, Bangalore brinjal, groundnut, maize, redgram and tomato. Medium farmers had grown bajra, maize and redgram.  The results indicated that, the cropping intensity in Huvinhalu micro watershed was found to be 70.67 per cent. In case of marginal farmers it was 91.77 per cent, in small farmers it was 80.15, in semi medium farmers it was 71.65 and in medium farmers it was 48.58 per cent.  The results indicated that, 75 per cent of the households have both bank account and savings respectively. 50 per cent of the landless farmers, 85.71 per cent of the marginal farmers, 87.50 per cent of the small farmers, 41.67 per cent of the semi medium farmers and 100 per cent of the medium farmers possess both bank account and savings respectively.  The results indicated that, 50 per cent of the landless, 71.43 per cent of marginal, 75 per cent of small, 33.33 per cent of the semi medium and 100 per cent of medium farmers have borrowed credit from different sources.  The results indicated that, the total cost of cultivation for bajra was Rs. 37993.40. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 37035.30. The net income from bajra cultivation was Rs. -958.10, thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.97.  The results indicated that, the total cost of cultivation for Banana was Rs. 50118.31. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 148200. The net income from Banana cultivation was Rs. 98081.69, thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:2.96.  The results indicated that, the total cost of cultivation for chilly was Rs. 51780.28. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 111150. The net income from chilly cultivation was Rs. 59369.72, thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:2.15.  The results indicated that, the total cost of cultivation for cotton was Rs. 34462.09. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 47272.73. The net income from cotton cultivation was Rs. 12810.63, thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.37.  The results indicated that, the total cost of cultivation for Groundnut was Rs. 47748.89. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 91348.83. The net income from Groundnut cultivation was Rs. 43599.94, thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.91.  The results indicated that, the total cost of cultivation for maize was Rs. 32941.63. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 36543.32. The net income from maize cultivation was Rs. 3601.69. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.11. 5  The results indicated that, the total cost of cultivation for onion was Rs. 69961.36. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 59280.00. The net income from onion cultivation was Rs. -10681.36. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.85.  The results indicated that, the total cost of cultivation for Sunflower was Rs. 59054.20. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 52928.57. The net income from Sunflower cultivation was Rs. -6125.62. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.9.  The results indicated that, the total cost of cultivation for Tomato was Rs. 19047.49. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 30875.00. The net income from Tomato cultivation was Rs. 11827.51. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.62.  The results indicated that, the total cost of cultivation for Red gram was Rs. 39672.38. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 58593.89. The net income from Red gram cultivation was Rs. 18921.50. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.48.  The results indicated that, the total cost of cultivation for Sorghum was Rs. 24675.07. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 27056. The net income from Sorghum cultivation was Rs. 2380.93. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.1.  The results indicated that, 43.75 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was adequate and 16.67 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was inadequate. Similarly 28.17 per cent of the households opined that green fodder was adequate.  The table indicated that, in landless farmer, the average income from wage was Rs.20000, in marginal farmers, the average income from service/salary was Rs.4285.71, wage was Rs.24714.29, agriculture was Rs.29821.43 and dairy farm was Rs.357.14. In small farmers, the average income from business was Rs.1250, wage was Rs.18000, agriculture was Rs.39287.50 and dairy farm was Rs.2957.50. In semi medium farmer, the average income from wage was Rs.15833.33, agriculture was Rs.61283.33 and dairy farm was Rs.4308.33. In medium farmers, the average income from wage was Rs.7750, and agriculture was Rs. 81,250.  The results indicated that, in landless famers, the average expenditure from wage was Rs. 12500. In marginal farmers, the average expenditure from service/salary was Rs.50000, wage was Rs.9428.57, agriculture was rs.14000 and dairy farm was Rs.1000. In small farmers, the average expenditure from business was Rs.10000, wage was Rs.8866.67, agriculture was Rs.18875 and dairy farm was Rs.6000. In semi medium farmers, the average expenditure from wage was Rs.10300, agriculture was Rs.30833.33 and dairy farm was Rs.4300. In case 6 medium farmers the average expenditure from wage was Rs.4666.67 and agriculture was Rs.42500.  The results indicated that, sampled households have grown 9 coconut, 2 lemon and 4 mango tree in their field.  The results indicated that, households have planted 2 teak trees, 150 neem trees, 7 tamarind tress and 37 banyan trees in their field and also grown 1 Neem tree in the backyard.  The results indicated that, banana, chilly, cotton; groundnut, maize, onion, sunflower and tomato crops were sold to an extent of 100 per cent. Bajra, redgram and sorghum crops were sold to an extent of 88.39 per cent, 96.23 per cent and 55.56 per cent.  The results indicated that, 4.17 percent of the households have sold their produce to agent/traders, 54.17 percent of the households have sold their produce to local/village merchant, 62.50 percent of the households sold their produce in regulated markets and 2.08 percent of the households sold their produce to cooperative marketing society.  The results indicated that 12.50 per cent of the households have cart load as a mode of transport, 100 per cent of them have used tractor and 2.08 per cent have used truck.  The results indicated that, 56.25 per cent of the households have experienced the soil and water erosion problems i.e. 64.29 percent of marginal farmers, 62.50 per cent of small farmers, 41.67 per cent of semi medium farmers and 75 per cent of medium farmers.  The results indicated that, 50 per cent of the households have shown interest in soil testing.  The results indicated that, 91.67 percent used fire wood as a source of fuel and 10.42 percent of the households used LPG.  The results indicated that, piped supply was the source of drinking water for 97.92 per cent of the households.  The results indicated that, electricity was the major source of light for 100 per cent of the households.  The results indicated that, 22.92 per cent of the households possess sanitary toilet i.e. 50 per cent of landless, 7.14 per cent of marginal, 31.25 per cent of small, 25 per cent of semi medium and 25 per cent of medium had sanitary toilet facility.  The results indicated that, 95.83 per cent of the sampled households possessed BPL card and 4.17 per cent of the sampled households have not possessed BPL card.  The results indicated that, 35.42 per cent of the households participated in NREGA programme which included 100 per cent of the landless, 28.57 percent 7 of the marginal, 31.25 per cent of the small, 25 per cent of the semi medium and 25 percent of the medium farmers.  The results indicated that, cereals, pulses, oilseeds, vegetables, fruits , milk, egg and meat were adequate for 97.92 per cent, 33.33 per cent, 25 per cent, 43.75 per cent, 2.08 per cent, 45.83 per cent, 33.33 per cent and 22.92 per cent of the households respectively.  The results indicated that, cereals, pulses, oilseeds, vegetables, fruits, milk, egg and meat were inadequate for 2.08 per cent, 66.67 per cent, 62.50 per cent, 45.83 per cent, 43.75 per cent, 31.25 per cent, 50 per cent and 12.50 per cent of the households respectively.  The results indicated that, oilseed and vegetables were market surplus for 6.25 per cent of the households respectively.  The results indicated that, Lower fertility status of the soil was the constraint experienced by 47.92 per cent of the households, wild animal menace on farm field (70.83%), frequent incidence of pest and diseases (33.33%), inadequacy of irrigation water (14.58%), high cost of Fertilizers and plant protection chemicals (22.92%), high rate of interest on credit (29.17%), low price for the agricultural commodities (27.08%), lack of marketing facilities in the area (41.67%), inadequate extension services (2.08%), lack of transport for safe transport of the agricultural produce to the market (54.17%), less rainfall (77.08%) and Source of Agri-technology information(Newspaper/TV/Mobile) (47.92 %).