LAND RESOURCE INVENTORY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF FARM HOUSEHOLDS FOR WATERSHED PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT GHANAPUR-2 (4D2D6B2c) MICROWATERSHED Balichakra Hobli, Yadgir Taluk and District, Karnataka

Abstract

The land resource inventory of Ghanapur-2 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 572 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 534 ha (95%) in the microwatershed is covered by soils and 38 ha (22%) by others (habitation and water bodies). The salient findings from the land resource inventory are summarized briefly below.  The soils belong to 5 soil series and 8 soil phases (management units) and 3 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 250 m grid interval.  Land suitability for growing 26 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 83 per cent area of the microwatershed has soils that are very deep (>150 cm) and 10 per cent soils are very shallow to moderately shallow (<25-75 cm).  About 10 per cent area in the microwatershed has loamy soils and 84 per cent clayey soils.  Entire area of the microwatershed has non gravelly (<15%) soils at the surface.  About 2 per cent area of the microwatershed is very low (<50 mm/m) in available water capacity, 8 per cent medium (101-150 mm/m) and 83 per cent area is very high (>200 mm/m) in available water capacity.  Entire area in the microwatershed has very gently sloping (1-3% slope) lands.  An area of about 46 per cent each are slightly (e1) and moderately (e2) eroded and 2 per cent area is severely (e3) eroded.  An area of about 4 per cent soils is slightly alkaline (pH 7.3-7.8), 69 per cent soils are moderately alkaline (pH 7.8 - 8.4) and 20 per cent soils are strongly alkaline (pH 8.4-9.0).  The Electrical Conductivity (EC) of the soils in the entire area of the microwatershed is dominantly <2 dsm-1indicating that the soils are nonsaline.  About 54 per cent of soils are low (<0.5%), 30 per cent of soils are medium (0.5-0.75%) and 9 per cent of soils are high (>0.75%) in organic carbon.  About 36 per cent area is low (<23 kg/ha), 54 per cent area is medium (23- 57 kg/ha) and 3 per cent area is high (>57 kg/ha) in available phosphorus.  About 1 per cent is low (<145 kg/ha), 56 per cent is medium (145-337 kg/ha) and 37 per cent is high (>337 kg/ha) in available potassium.  Available sulphur is low (<10 ppm) in an area of about 54 per cent, 30 per cent of the soils are medium (10 -20 ppm) and high (>20 ppm) in 9 per cent area of the microwatershed.  Available boron is low (<0.5 ppm) in an area of about 23 per cent, medium (0.5-1.0 ppm) in an area of 70 per cent and high (>1.0 ppm) in <1 per cent area of the microwatershed.  Available iron is deficient (<4.5 ppm) in an area of about 2 per cent and sufficient (>4.5 ppm) in 91 per cent area of the microwatershed.  Available manganese and copper are sufficient in all the soils of the microwatershed.  Available zinc is deficient (<0.6 ppm) in an area of about 88% and sufficient in 5 per cent area of the microwatershed.  The land suitability for 26 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 - 524(92) Sapota - - Maize - - Pomegranate - 476(83) Bajra - 524(92) Musambi - 476(83) Groundnut - - Lime - 476(83) Sunflower - 476(84) Amla - 524(92) Redgram - 420(73) Cashew - - Bengal gram 56 (10) 468(82) Jackfruit - - Cotton 56 (10) 468(82) Jamun - 476(83) Chilli - 525(92) Custard apple - 524(92) Tomato - - Tamarind - 476(83) Drumstick - 476(83) Mulberry - - Mango - - Marigold - 524(92) Guava - - Chrysanthemum - 524(92)  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 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. 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 Ghanapur-2 micro-watershed among them 7 (20 %) were landless, 5 (14.29 %) were marginal farmers, 15 (42.86 %) were small farmers, 6 (17.14 %) were semi medium farmers and 2 (5.71%) were medium farmers.  The data indicated that there were 77 (55 %) men and 63 (45 %) women among the sampled households. The average family size of landless farmers’ was 5.5, marginal farmers’ was 4.9, small farmers’ was 5.8, semi medium farmers’ was 6.2 and medium farmers’ was 9.  The data indicated that, 14 (10 %) people were in 0-15 years of age, 67 (47.86 %) were in 16-35 years of age, 49 (35 %) were in 36-60 years of age and 10 (7.14 %) were above 61 years of age.  The results indicated that Ghanapur-2 had 17.14 per cent illiterates, 18.57 per cent of them had primary school, 5.71 per cent of them had middle school, 50 per cent of them had high school education, 2.86 per cent of them had PUC and 1.43 per cent of them had degree education.  The results indicate that, 74.29 per cent of household heads were practicing agriculture, 20 per cent of the household heads were agricultural labourers and 5.71 cent of the household heads were General Labour.  The results indicate that agriculture was the major occupation for 32.86 per cent of the household members, 37.86 per cent were agricultural labourers, 2.14 per cent were in general labour, 0.71 per cent were Household industry, 3.57 per cent were private service and Trade & Business , 6.43 per cent were students, housewives and children.  The results show that, 0.71 per cent of the population in the micro watershed has participated in Raitha Sangha.  The results indicate that 100 per cent of the households possess katcha house.  The results show that 91.43 per cent of the households possess TV, 2.86 per cent of the households possess DVD/VCD Player, 14.29 per cent of the households possess motor cycle and 71.43 per cent of the households possess mobile phones.  The results show that the average value of television was Rs. 8,953, DVD/VCD Player was Rs. 2,000, motor cycle was Rs. 44,000 and mobile phone was Rs. 2,824.  About 2.86 per cent each of the households possess bullock cart, Plough, Sprinkler and Harvester.  The results show that the average value of bullock cart was Rs. 13,000, plough was Rs. 5,000, sprinkler was Rs. 500 and the average value of Harvester was Rs. 400. 2  The results indicate that, 8.57 per cent of the households possess bullocks, 2.86 per cent of the households possess local cow and Sheep and 8.57 per cent of the households possess Buffalo.  The results indicate that, average own labour men available in the micro watershed was 1.71, average own labour (women) available was 1.43, average hired labour (men) available was 5.89 and average hired labour (women) available was 4.91.  The results indicate that, 85.71 per cent of the households opined that the hired labour was adequate.  The results indicate that, households of the Ghanapur-2 micro-watershed possess 33.99 ha (79.24 %) of dry land and 8.90 ha (20.76 %) of irrigated land. Marginal farmers possess 3.89 ha (100 %) of dry land. Small farmers possess 21.05 ha (100 %) of dry land. Semi medium farmers possess 4.05 ha (41.67 %) of dry land and 5.67 ha (58.33 %) of irrigated land. Medium farmers possess 5 ha (60.71 %) and 3.24 ha (39.29 %) of irrigated land.  The results indicate that, the average value of dry land was Rs. 567,647.06 and the average value of irrigated land was Rs. 437,863.64. In case of marginal famers, the average land value was Rs. 720,416.67 for dry land. In case of small famers, the average land value was Rs. 574,529.02 for dry land. In case of semi medium famers, the average land value was Rs. 889,200 for dry land and Rs. 564,571.43 for irrigated land. In case of medium farmers, the average land value was Rs. 159,870.55 for dry land and Rs. 216,125 for irrigated land.  The results indicate that, there were 3 functioning and de-functioning bore wells in the micro watershed.  The results indicate that, there were 1 functioning and de-functioning open wells in the micro watershed.  The results indicate that, bore well was the major irrigation source in the micro water shed for 8.57 per cent of the farmers and open well was the 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 4.01 meters and the depth of open well was found to be 1.83 meters.  The results indicate that, small and semi medium farmers had an irrigated area of 1.21 ha and 2.83 ha respectively.  The results indicate that, farmers have grown cotton (8.18 ha), groundnut (3.32 ha), red gram (28.06 ha) and sorghum (2.02 ha). Marginal farmers have grown red gram and cotton. Small farmers have grown red gram, groundnut and cotton. Semi medium farmers have grown cotton, sorghum and groundnut. Medium farmers have grown red gram.  The results indicate that, the cropping intensity in Ghanapur-2 micro-watershed was found to be 97.17 per cent. 3  The results indicate that, 94.29 per cent of the households have bank account and 91.43 per cent of the households have savings.  The results indicate that, 94.29 per cent of the households have availed credit from different sources.  The results indicate that, 30.30 per cent of the households have borrowed from commercial bank and 3.03 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, 15,909.09.  The results indicate that, 90.91 per cent of the households borrowed from institutional sources for the purpose of agricultural production and 9.09 per cent for Healthcare.  The results indicate that, 100 per cent of the households borrowed from private sources for the purpose of agricultural production.  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, 81.82 per cent opined that the loan amount borrowed from helped to perform timely agricultural operations and 9.09 per cent opined that the loan amount borrowed from easy accessibility of credit.  The results indicate that, around 100 per cent opined that the loan amount was adequate to fulfil the requirement.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for Cotton was Rs. 31117.88. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 52002.32. The net income from Cotton cultivation was Rs. 20884.44. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1: 1.67.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for groundnut was Rs. 42675.97. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 47273.06. The net income from groundnut cultivation was Rs. 4597.09. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1: 1.11.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for Red gram was Rs. 30982.58. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 71422.49. The net income from Red gram cultivation was Rs. 40439.90. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1: 2.31.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for Sorghum was Rs. 15222.38. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 19760. The net income from Sorghum cultivation was Rs. 4537.62. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1: 1.3. 4  The results indicate that, 37.14 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was adequate and 2.86 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was inadequate and 14.29 per cent of the households opined that green fodder was adequate  The results indicate that the annual gross income was Rs. 36,714.29 for landless farmers, for marginal farmers it was Rs. 149,200, for small farmers it was Rs. 128,200, semi medium farmers it was Rs. 144,500 and medium farmers it was Rs. 180,000.  The results indicate that the average annual expenditure is Rs. 8,570. For landless households it was Rs. 10,000, for marginal farmers it was Rs. 9,640, for small farmers it was Rs. 3,327.78, for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 7,388.89 and medium farmers it was Rs. 43,750.  The results indicate that, sampled households have grown 11 mango tree in their field and 2 mango trees in backyard.  The results indicate that, households have planted 24 neem and 2 tamarind trees in their field and also 4 neem and 1 tamarind trees in their backyard.  The results indicated that, households have an average investment capacity of Rs. 8,885.77 for land development and households have an average investment capacity of Rs. 714.29 for Subsidiary enterprises.  The results indicated that government subsidy was the source of additional investment for 2.86 per cent for land development and subsidiary enterprises. Own funds was the source of additional investment for 2.86 per cent for land development. Soft loan was the source of additional investment for 65.71per cent for land development and 2.86 per cent for subsidiary enterprises.  The results indicated that, cotton was sold to the extent of 100 per cent, groundnut was sold to the extent of 77.78 per cent, Redgram was sold to the extent of 88.86 per cent and sorghum to the extent of 25 per cent.  The results indicated that, about 82.86 per cent of the farmers sold their produce to regulated markets.  The results indicated that, 82.86 per cent of the households have used tractor as a mode of transportation.  The results indicated that, 45.71 per cent of the households have experienced soil and water erosion problems in the farm.  The results indicated that, 45.71 per cent have shown interest in soil test.  The results indicated that, 5.71 per cent have adopted Summer Ploughing and mulching, 2.86 per cent have adopted Dead Furrow and 2.86 per cent have adopted Combination of deep and shallow root crops.  The results indicated that, 97.14 per cent of the households used firewood as a source of fuel. 5  The results indicated that, piped supply was the major source of drinking water for 91.43 per cent of the households in the micro watershed and bore well was the source of drinking water for 2.86 per cent of the households in the micro watershed.  The results indicated that, Electricity was the major source of light for 97.14 per cent of the households in micro watershed.  The results indicated that, 25.71 per cent of the households possess sanitary toilet facility.  The results indicated that, 97.14 per cent of the sampled households possessed BPL cards.  The results indicated that, 97.14 per cent of the households participated in NREGA programme.  The results indicated that, cereals were adequate for 82.86 per cent of the households, pulses were adequate for 74.29 per cent of the households, oilseed were adequate for 68.57 per cent, vegetables were adequate for 65.71 per cent, fruits were adequate for 48.57 per cent, milk were adequate for 60 per cent and meat were adequate for 14.29 per cent, Egg and meat were adequate for 57.14 per cent.  The results indicated that, cereals were inadequate for 5.71 per cent of the households, pulses were inadequate for 11.43 per cent of the households, oilseeds were inadequate for 14.29 per cent, vegetables were inadequate for 17.14 per cent, fruits were inadequate for 34.29 per cent, milk were inadequate for 22.86 per cent, egg were inadequate for 31.43 per cent and meat were inadequate for 28.57 per cent of the households.  The results indicated that, lower fertility status of the was the constraint experienced by 80 per cent of the households, wild animal menace on farm field (11.43 %), frequent incidence of pest and diseases (71.43 %), Inadequacy of irrigation water (80 %), high rate of interest on credit (82.86 %), low price for the agricultural commodities (80 %), inadequacy extension service (68.57 %), high cost of fertilizer and plant protection chemicals (77.14 %), lack of marketing facilities in the area (74.29 %) and Lack of transport for safe transport of the Agril produce to the market (5.71 %).