LAND RESOURCE INVENTORY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF FARM HOUSEHOLDS FOR WATERSHED PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT HYATI-1 (4D4A1Y2b) MICROWATERSHED Koppal Taluk and District, Karnataka

Abstract

The land resource inventory of Hyati-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 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 525 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 91 per cent is covered by soils and 9 per cent by habitation and water bodies, settlements and others. The salient findings from the land resource inventory are summarized briefly below.  The soils belong to 11 soil series and 28 soil phases (management units) and 3 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.  Entire area is suitable for agriculture.  About 5 per cent of the soils are moderately shallow (50-75 cm), 15 per cent of the soils are moderately deep (50-75 cm), 58 per cent of the soils are deep (75-100 cm) and 13 per cent area has very deep (100-150 cm) soils.  An area of about 4 per cent has sandy soils, 38 per cent has loamy and 50 per cent has clayey soils at the surface.  About 72 per cent of the area has non-gravelly (<15%) soils, 16 per cent gravelly (15-35% gravel) and 4 per cent has very gravelly (35-60%) soils.  About 10 per cent are very low (<50 mm/m), 65 per cent low (51-100 mm/m), 9 per cent medium (101-150 mm/m) and 7 per cent high (151-200 mm/m) in available water capacity.  An area of about 12 per cent has nearly level (0-1%) and 79 per cent area has very gently sloping (1-3%) lands.  An area of about 33 per cent has soils that are slightly eroded (e1) and 58 per cent moderately eroded (e2) lands.  An area of about 7 per cent are slightly cid (pH 6.0-6.5), 71 per cent are neutral (pH 6.5-7.3), 13 per cent are slightly alkaline (pH 6.5-7.3) and 1 per cent are moderately alkaline (pH 7.8-8.4) in soil reaction.  The Electrical Conductivity (EC) of the soils is <2 dS m-1 and as such the soils are non-saline.  Organic carbon is low (<0.5%) in 3 per cent, medium (0.5-0.75%) in 77 per cent and high (>0.75%) in 11 per cent area of the soils.  Available phosphorus is medium (23-57 kg/ha) in 5 per cent and high (>57 kg/ha) in 86 per cent area in the microwatershed.  About 20 per cent of the soils are low (<145 kg/ha), 68 per cent are medium (145-337 kg/ha) and 3 per cent soils are high (>337 kg/ha) in available potassium content.  Available sulphur content is low (<10 ppm) in about 41 per cent and medium (10-20 ppm) in 50 per cent area of the microwatershed.  Available boron is low (0.5 ppm) in about 46 per cent, 45 per cent are medium (0.5- 1.0 ppm) and <1 per cent is high (>1.0 ppm) in the microwatershed.  Available iron is sufficient (>4.5 ppm) in 48 per cent and deficient (<4.5 ppm) in about 43 per cent area.  Available zinc is deficient (<0.6 ppm) in 7 per cent and sufficient (>0.6 ppm) in about 85 per cent area.  Available manganese and copper are sufficient in all the soils.  The land suitability for 31 major agricultural and horticultural 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 197 (37) 130 (25) Sapota 226 (43) 108 (21) Maize 159 (30) 166 (32) Pomegranate 226 (43) 108 (21) Bajra 263 (50) 80 (15) Musambi 226 (43) 108 (21) Groundnut 74 (14) 364 (69) Lime 226 (43) 108 (21) Sunflower 223 (43) 87 (17) Amla 281 (54) 197 (38) Red gram 223 (43) 87 (17) Cashew 37 (7) 297 (57) Bengalgram - 337 (64) Jackfruit 226 (43) 108 (21) Cotton 223 (43) 102 (20) Jamun 197 (37) 138 (26) Chilli 223 (43) 102 (20) Custard apple 281 (54) 197 (38) Tomato 223 (43) 102 (20) Tamarind 197 (37) 59 (11) Brinjal 87 (17) 341 (65) Mulberry 226 (43) 225 (43) Onion 66 (13) 363 (69) Marigold 197 (37) 129 (25) Bhendi 66 (13) 363 (69) Chrysanthemum 197 (37) 129 (25) Drumstick 226 (43) 201 (38) Jasmine 197 (37) 129 (25) Mango 197 (37) 59 (11) Crossandra 197 (37) 129 (25) Guava 37 (7) 297 (57)  Apart from the individual crop suitability, a proposed crop plan has been prepared for the 3 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 that helps in maintaining productivity and ecological balance in the microwatershed.  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 in turn would help in maintaining the ecological balance and contribute to mitigating the climate change. SILENT FINDINGS OF THE STUDY  The results indicated that, 33 farmers were sampled in Hyati-1 micro watershed among them marginal farmers and small farmers were equally accounted 11 (33.33%), 8 (24.24%) were semi medium farmers and 3 (9.09 %) was medium farmer.  The data indicated that there were 88 (62.41%) men and 52 (36.88 %) were women among the sampled households.  The average family size of marginal farmers was 4, small farmer was 4, semi medium farmer was 3 and medium farmers were 6.  The data indicated that 11 (7.80%) people were in 0-15 years of age, 62 (43.97%) were in 16-35 years of age, 52 (36.88 %) were in 36-60 years of age and 16 (11.35%) were above 61 years of age.  Education level of household member’s results indicated micro watershed had 26.95 per cent illiterates, 26.95 per cent of them had primary school education, 7.80 per cent of them had middle school education, 27.66 per cent of them had high school education, 4.26 per cent of them had PUC education, 3.55 per cent of them had degree education and 0.71 per cent of them had masters education. The results indicate that, 90.91 per cent of households practicing agriculture and 3.03 per cent of the household heads were agricultural labourers.  The results indicate that agriculture was the major occupation for 64.54 per cent of the household members, 20.57 per cent were agricultural labourers and 13.48 per cent of them were students.  In case of marginal farmers 65.22 per cent were agriculturist, 21.74 percent were general labour and 10.87 per cent were students. In case of small farmers, 65.31 per cent of the household members were practicing agriculture, 14.29 per cent of them were agricultural labour and 18.37 per cent were students. In case of semi medium farmers 51.85 per cent of the household members were practicing agriculture, 44.44 per cent of them were agricultural labour and 3.70 were students. In case of medium farmers, 78.95 per cent of the household members were practicing agriculture and 21.05 per cent of them were students.  The results show that 0.71 per cent of them participated in self help groups and user group and 98.58 per cent of them have not participated in any local institutions.  The results indicate that 54.55 per cent of the households possess Katcha house, 12.12 per cent of them possess Pucca house and 21.21 percent of them possess semi pacca house.  The results shows that 78.79 per cent of the households possess TV, 72.73 per cent of the households possess Mixer grinder, 12.12 per cent of the households possess bicycle, 33.33 per cent of the households possess motor cycle and 93.94 per cent of the households possess mobile phones. The results shows that the average value 2 of television was Rs.5653, mixer grinder was Rs.1966, motor cycle was Rs.40000, bicycle was Rs.800 and mobile phone was Rs.1788.  About 48.48 per cent of the households possess plough, 39.39 per cent of them possess bullock cart and 51.52 per cent of the households possess sprayer, 20 per cent of them possess chaff cutter, 3.03 per cent of tractor and harvester respectively and 78.79 per cent of the households possess weeder. The results show that the average value of plough was Rs.1666, the average value of bullock cart was Rs. 18846, the average value of tractor was Rs. 300000, the average value of weeder was Rs. 89, , the average value of harvester was Rs. 500 and the average value of sprayer was Rs.3941.  The results indicate that, 36.36 per cent of the households possess bullocks, 18.18 per cent of the households possess local cow, 9.09 per cent of the households possess crossbred cows and 3.03 per cent of the households possess buffalo.  The results indicate that, average own labour men available in the micro watershed was 2.09, average own labour (women) available was 1.24, average hired labour (men) available was 8.61 and average hired labour (women) available was 8.06.  The results indicate that, 63.64 per cent of the household opined that hired labour was adequate and 36.36 per cent of the households opined that hired labour was inadequate.  The results indicate that, households of the Hyati-1 micro watershed possess 27.44 ha (40.55%) of dry land and 40.24 ha (59.45%) of irrigated land.  The results indicate that, there were 13 functioning and 2 de functioning bore wells in the micro watershed and bore well was the only major irrigation source for 39.39 per cent of the farmers. The results indicate that, there was on an average 20.36 ha of irrigated area.  The data regarding the cropping pattern results indicated that farmers have grown bajra (2.02 ha), chilly (0.49 ha), drumstick (1.17ha), groundnut (0.81ha), maize (16.49 ha), Navane (2.02 ha), pearl millet (2.43 ha), Red gram (4.12 ha), Sugarcane (8.45 ha), Sunflower (1.62 ha) and Bengal gram (1.90 ha). Marginal farmers have grown Maize, chilly, Sajje, Red gram and Sugar cane. Small farmers have grown groundnut, maize, red gram, sugar cane, sunflower and Bengal gram. Semi medium farmers grown drumstick, maize, red gram, sugarcane and Bengal gram and Medium farmers have grown bajra, maize, navane, Sajje and sugarcane.  The cropping intensity was found to be 73.44 per cent. Cropping intensity was in case of Marginal farmers was 99.39 per cent, for small farmers it was 100 per cent, in case of semi medium farmers it was 100 per cent, and medium farmers had cropping intensity of 38.68 per cent.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for chilly was Rs. 40734.47. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 113208.33. The net income from 3 chilly cultivation was Rs.8680.82, thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:2.78.  The total cost of cultivation for bajra was Rs. 32562.25. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 24947.00. The net income from bajra cultivation was Rs. -7615.25, thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.77.  The total cost of cultivation for Drumstick was Rs. 23248.63. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 204413.79. The net income from Drumstick cultivation was Rs. -7615.25, thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:8.79.  The total cost of cultivation for Groundnut was Rs. 53918.48. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 76076.00. The net income from Groundnut cultivation was Rs. 22157.52, thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.41.  The total cost of cultivation for maize was Rs. 51717.04. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 49407.93. The net income from maize cultivation was Rs. -2309.11, thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.96.  The total cost of cultivation for navane was Rs. 17018.81. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 13338.00. The net income from navane cultivation was Rs. -3680.81. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.78.  The total cost of cultivation for redgram was Rs. 42521.34. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 64687.63. The net income from redgram cultivation was Rs. 22166.29. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.52.  The total cost of cultivation for Sugarcane was Rs. 183035.56. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 546275.20. The net income from Sugarcane cultivation was Rs. 363239.64. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:2.98.  The total cost of cultivation for bengalgram was Rs. 32361.81. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 72046.51. The net income from bengalgram cultivation was Rs. 39684.70. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:2.23.  The total cost of cultivation for Sunflower was Rs. 31113.82. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 71136.00. The net income from Sunflower cultivation was Rs. 40022.18. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:2..  The results indicated that, 101 tons of dry fodder and 67 tons of green fodder was available in studied micro watershed. The results indicate that, 21.21 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was adequate which includes 9.09 per cent of marginal farmers, 27.27 per cent of small, 12.50 per cent of semi medium farmers and 66.67 per cent of medium farmers. The data revealed that 21.21 per cent of the farmers opined that dry fodder was inadequate and 42.42 per cent opined that green fodder is adequate.  The results indicated that, Bajra, Bengal gram, Chilly, Drumstick, Groundnut, Maize, Navane, Red Gram, Sugarcane and Sunflower were sold to the extent of 100 per cent.  The results indicated that, 48.48 per cent of the farmers were sold their produce to agents/ traders, 21.21 per cent of them sold their produce to Local/Village 4 merchant, 18.18 per cent of them sold to regulated market and 24.24 per cent of the farmers sold to cooperative marketing society.  The results indicated that 93.94 per cent of the households have used tractor as a mode of transport, 3.03 per cent used head load and 18.18 per cent have used truck.  The results indicated that, 78.79 percent of the households used fire wood as a source of fuel and another 24.24 percent of the households used LPG.  The results indicated that, Bore well was the major source for the drinking source for the households which was accounted 81.82 per cent followed by lake/tank (12.12 %) and piped supply (6.06%).  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, 51.52 per cent of the households possess sanitary toilet i.e. 54.55 per cent of marginal, 45.45 per cent of small, 37.50 per cent of semi medium and 100 per cent of medium had sanitary toilet facility.  The results indicated that, 84.85 per cent of the sampled households possessed BPL card. The results indicated that, 24.24 per cent of the households participated in NREGA programme which included, 9.09 percent of the marginal and small farmers, 62.50 per cent of the semi medium and 33.33 percent of the medium farmers.  The results indicated that, only cereals were adequate for 100 percent of the households. Pulses were adequate for 36.36 per cent; oilseed (45.45 %), vegetables (54.55%), Fruits (18.18%), milk (69.70 %) and Egg was adequate for 48.48 percent.  The results indicated that, pulses were inadequate for 66.67 per cent, oilseeds were inadequate for 27.27 per cent, milk was inadequate 33.33 per cent, fruits were inadequate for 9.09 per cent, eggs were inadequate for 12.12 per cent and meat was inadequate for 9.09 per cent of the households.  The results indicated that, Lower fertility status of the soil was the constraint experienced by 9.09 per cent of the households, wild animal menace on farm field (57.58%), frequent incidence of pest and diseases (54.55%), inadequacy of irrigation water (3.03%), high cost of Fertilizers and plant protection chemicals (12.12%), high rate of interest on credit (60.61%), low price for the agricultural commodities (12.12%), lack of marketing facilities in the area (81.82%), inadequate extension services (6.06%), lack of transport for safe transport of the agricultural produce to the market (15.15%), less rainfall (100%) and Source of Agri-technology (72.73%).