LAND RESOURCE INVENTORY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF FARM HOUSEHOLDS FOR WATERSHED PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT LACHANKERI (4D4A1Z1e) MICROWATERSHED Koppal Hobli, Koppal Taluk and District, Karnataka

Abstract

The land resource inventory of Lachankeri 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 about 716 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 84 per cent is covered by soils, 2 per cent by mining/industrial and 16 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 14 soil series and 25 soil phases (management units) and 5 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 cultivated area of about 602 ha (84%) is suitable for agriculture.  About 8 per cent of the soils are shallow (25-50 cm), 29 per cent of the soils are moderately shallow (50-75 cm), 20 per cent of the soils are moderately deep (75- 100cm), 19 per cent area has deep (100-150 cm) and 8 per cent has very deep (>150 cm) soils.  About 2 per cent sandy soils at the surface, 65 per cent has loamy soils at the surface and 16 per cent has clayey soils at the surface.  About 55 per cent of the area has non-gravelly (<15%) soil and 29 per cent gravelly (15-35% gravel) soils.  About 38 per cent are very low (<50 mm/m), 34 per cent low (51-100 mm/m), 8 per cent medium (101-150 mm/m) and 4 per cent very high (>200 mm/m) in available water capacity.  An area of about 13 per cent has nearly level (0-1%) and 71 per cent area has very gently sloping (1-3%) lands.  An area of about 34 per cent has soils that are slightly eroded (e1) and 50 per cent moderately eroded (e2) lands.  An area of about <1 per cent are moderately acid (pH 5.5-6.0), 11 per cent are slightly acid (pH 6.0-6.5), 43 per cent are neutral (pH 6.5-7.3), 30 per cent are slightly alkaline (pH 7.3-7.8) and <1 per cent are moderately alkaline (pH 7.8-8.4) soil reaction.  The Electrical Conductivity (EC) of the soils is <2 dS m-1and as such the soils are non-saline.  Organic carbon is low (<0.5%) in <1 per cent, medium (0.5-0.75%) in 12 per cent and high (>0.75%) in 72 per cent area of the soils.  Available phosphorus is high (>57 kg/ha) in the entire cultivated area of the microwatershed.  Available potassium content is medium (145-337 kg/ha) in the entire cultivated area of the microwatershed.  Available sulphur is low (<10 ppm) in about 72 per cent and medium (10-20 ppm) in 12 per cent soils.  Available boron is low (0.5 ppm) in about 23 per cent and medium (0.5-1.0 ppm) in 61 per cent area in the microwatershed.  Available iron is sufficient (>4.5 ppm) in an area of about 59 per cent and deficient (<4.5 ppm) in 25 per cent in the microwatershed.  Available zinc is sufficient (>0.6 ppm) in the entire cultivated area of the microwatershed.  Available manganese and copper are sufficient in all the soils.  The land suitability for 31 major agricultural and horticultural 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 82(11) 305(43) Sapota 89(12) 171(24) Maize 20(3) 368(51) Pomegranate 89(12) 171(24) Bajra 153(21) 315(44) Musambi 89(12) 171(24) Groundnut 75(10) 439(61) Lime 89(12) 171(24) Sunflower 71(10) 110(15) Amla 153(21) 388(54) Red gram 71(10) 110(15) Cashew 29(4) 217(30) Bengalgram - 388(54) Jackfruit 89(12) 172(24) Cotton 56(8) 332(46) Jamun 34(5) 226(32) Chilli 104(15) 284(40) Custard apple 153(21) 388(54) Tomato 104(15) 284(40) Tamarind 34(5) 95(13) Brinjal 109(15) 275(38) Mulberry 89(12) 245(34) Onion 58(8) 326(46) Marigold 49(7) 339(47) Bhendi 58(8) 326(46) Chrysanthemum 49(7) 339(47) Drumstick 89(12) 165(23) Jasmine 49(7) 339(47) Mango 34(5) 83(12) Crossandra 49(7) 338(54) Guava 44(6) 217(30)  Apart from the individual crop suitability, a proposed crop plan has been prepared for the 5 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. SALIENT FINDINGS OF THE SURVEY Baseline socioeconomic characterization is prerequisite to prepare action plan for program implementation and to assess the project performance before making any changes in the watershed development program. The baseline provides appropriate policy direction for enhancing productivity and sustainability in agriculture. Methodology: Lachankari micro-watershed in Karkihalli Sub-watershed (Koppal taluk and district) is located in between 15014’–15013’ North latitudes and 76014’ – 76013’ East longitudes, covering an area of about 715.81 ha, bounded by Lachanakeri, Karkihalli and Kunakeri villages with length of growing period (LGP) 120-150 days. We used soil resource map as basis for sampling farm households to test the hypothesis that soil quality influence crop selection, and conservation investment of farm households. The level of technology adoption and productivity gaps and livelihood patterns were analyses. The cost of soil degradation and ecosystem services were quantified. Results: The socio-economic outputs for the Lachankari micro-watershed in Koppal taluk and district are presented here.  The data indicated that there were 149 (58.66%) men and 105 (41.34%) were women among the sampled households. The average family size of marginal farmers was 4.19, a small farmer was 5, a semi medium farmer was 4.33, a medium farmer was 4 and for large farmers it was 4.22.  There were 54 (21.26%) people were in 0-15 years of age, 127 (50%) were in 16- 35 years of age, 62 (24.41 %) were in 36-60 years of age and 11 (4.33%) were above 61 years of age.  The Lachankeri had 33.46 per cent illiterates, 0.39 per cent functional literates, 20.87 per cent of them had primary school education, 11.42 per cent of them had middle school education, 17.72 per cent of them had high school education, 8.27 per cent of them had PUC education, 0.39 per cent of them had ITI, 4.33 per cent of them had degree education and 3.15per cent of them had other education.  The results indicate that, 94.12 per cent of households practicing agriculture and 3.92 per cent of the household heads were agricultural labourers.  The results indicate that agriculture was the major occupation for 65.35 per cent of the household members, 1.18 per cent were agricultural labourers, 1.97 per cent were general labours, 0.79 per cent of them were in government sector and 27.56 per cent of them were students.  The results shows that 0.39 per cent of them participated in self help groups, 3.54 per cent of them participated in user groups and 95.28 per cent of them have not participated in any local institutions. About 0per cent of landless farmers have participated in self help groups and 95.24 per cent have not participated in any local institutions. Marginal farmers participated in self help group (0%) and user groups (5.45%). 2  The results indicate that 1.96 per cent of the households possess thatched house, 0 per cent of the households possess Katcha house, 3.92 per cent of them possess pucca house and 7.84 per cent of them household’s posses’ semi pucca house.  The results shows that 94.12 per cent of the households possess TV, 78.43 per cent of the households possess mixer grinder, 11.76 per cent of the households possess bicycle, 37.25 per cent of the households possess motor cycle, and 88.24 per cent of the households possess mobile phones.  About 41.18 per cent of the households possess plough, 7.84 per cent of them possess tractor and 60.78 per cent of the households possess sprayer. The average value of plough was Rs.1, 738, the average value of tractor was Rs.3, 76,250 and the average value of sprayer was Rs.4, 741.  The results indicate that, 21.57 per cent of the households possess bullocks, 41.18 per cent of the households possess local cow, 17.65 per cent of the households possess crossbred cows, 5.88 per cent of the households possess buffalo and 1.96 per cent of the households possess sheep.  Average own labour men available in the micro watershed was 1.76, average own labour (women) available was 1.36, average hired labour (men) available was 6.9 and average hired labour (women) available was 5.62.  The results indicate that, 88.24 per cent of the household opined that hired labour was adequate and 3.9 per cent of the households opined that hired labour was inadequate.  Households of the Lachankeri micro watershed possess 29.54 ha (46.6 %) of dry land and 53.4 ha (33.86%) of irrigated land.  The average value of dry land was Rs. 3, 80, 989 and average value of irrigated was Rs. 5, 65,389.  Marginal farmers had irrigated area of 0.53 hectares, small farmers had 11.67 hectares, semi medium farmers had 13.7 hectares of irrigated land and medium farmers had 10.26 hectares of irrigated land.  Farmers have grown cotton (0.81 ha), cow pea (1.3 ha), ground nut (8.72 ha), maize (18.74 ha), paddy (3.5 ha) and pearl millet (Sajje) (7.77 ha), red gram (togari) (45.54 ha). Marginal farmers have grown sugarcane (0.4 ha), ground nut (0.4ha), and maize (2.99 ha), Small farmers have grown ground nut (3.34 ha), sugarcane (1.3 ha) and maize (5.91 ha). Semi medium farmers have grown maize (4.99 ha), paddy (2.97ha), pearl millet (Sajje) (3.43 ha) and sugarcane (0.81ha).Medium farmers have grown maize (4.86 ha) and ground nut (2.96 ha).  The cropping intensity Lachankeri micro watershed was found to be 152.38 per cent. In case of marginal farmers it was 100 per cent, for small farmers it was 94.38 per cent, in case of semi medium farmers it was 86.11 per cent, medium farmers had cropping intensity of 275.89 per cent 3  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for groundnut was Rs. 63206. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 72628. The net income from ground nut cultivation was Rs. 9421.94, thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1: 1.15.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for bajra was Rs. 37238. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 26355.59. The net income from Bajra cultivation was Rs. -10882.68. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 01:00.7.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for cowpea was Rs. 43484. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 35506.25. The net income from cowpea cultivation was Rs-7977.92, thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 01:00.8.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for cotton was Rs. 49293. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs 74100. The net income from cotton cultivation was Rs 24806.22. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 01:01.5.  The results indicate that, households have planted 2 teak, 77 neem trees, 3 tamarind, 1 peepul tree and 6 banyan trees. Marginal farmers have planted 12 neem, 2 teaks, 1 peepul and 1 banyan tree. Small farmers have planted 27 Neem. Semi medium farmers have planted 26 neem and 1 tamarind trees. Medium farmers have planted 12 neem trees.  Bore well was the major source for drinking water for 82.35 per cent includes 20 per cent of landless, 83.33 per cent of marginal, 87.5 per cent of small farmers, 100 per cent of semi medium and 83.33 per cent of medium.  Electricity was the major source of light for all the households in micro watershed. Kerosene was major source of light for 1.96 per cent of the households  The results indicated that,49.02 per cent of the households possess sanitary toilet i.e. 20 per cent of landless, 16.67 per cent of marginal, 87.5 per cent of small, 16.67 per cent of semi medium and 100 per cent of medium and large farmers had sanitary toilet facility.  The results indicated that, 90.2 per cent of the households sampled possessed BPL card.  The results indicated that, wild animal menace on farm field (65.31%) of the households, frequent incidence of pest and diseases (19.61%), High cost of Fertilizers and plant protection chemicals (9.8%), , high rate of interest on credit (33.33%), low price for the agricultural commodities (9.8%), lack of marketing facilities in the area (39.22%), less rain fall (72.55%), Source of Agri-technology information (Newspaper/ TV/ Mobile) (15.69%).