LAND RESOURCE INVENTORY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF FARM HOUSEHOLDS FOR WATERSHED PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT MALRADDIPALLI-1 (4D5B6E1d) MICROWATERSHED Yadgir Taluk and District, Karnataka

Abstract

The land resource inventory of Malraddipalli-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 538 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 430 ha in the microwatershed is covered by soils, 10 ha covered by rock outcrops and 98 ha by others (habitation and water body). The salient findings from the land resource inventory are summarized briefly below.  The soils belong to 11 soil series and 17 soil phases (management units) and 6 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 43 per cent area are very shallow to shallow (<25 - 50 cm), 11 per cent area of the microwatershed has soils that are moderately shallow (50-75 cm), 15 per cent area of the microwatershed has soils that are moderately deep (75-100 cm) and 10 per cent area are deep (100 - 150 cm).  About 8 per cent area in the microwatershed has sandy, 31 per cent area in loamy and 41 per cent clayey soils at the surface.  About 37 per cent area in the microwatershed is non gravelly (<15%) and 43 per cent is gravelly (15-35%).  About 10 per cent area of the microwatershed is very high (>200 mm/m) in available water capacity, 7 per cent area medium (101-150 mm/m), 16 per cent area low (51- 100 mm/m) and 46 per cent area very low (<50 mm/m) in available water capacity.  Entire area in the microwatershed is very gently sloping (1-3% slope) land.  An area of about 43 per cent soils are slightly alkaline (pH 6.0-6.5), 33 per cent is neutral (pH 6.5-7.3) and 5 per cent is slightly alkaline (pH 7.3-7.8) in soil reaction.  An area of about <1 per cent is moderately acid (pH 5.5-6.0) and 80 per cent soils is neutral (pH 6.5-7.3).  The Electrical Conductivity (EC) of entire soils of the microwatershed is dominantly <2 dsm-1indicating that the soils are non-saline.  About 20 per cent of the soils are medium (0.5-0.75%) in organic carbon and high (>0.75%) in 60 per cent area.  52 per cent area is high (>57 kg/ha) in available phosphorus, 25 per area is medium (23-57 kg/ha) and 3 per area is low (<23 kg/ha).  About 3 per cent is low (<145 kg/ha) in available potassium and 78 per cent is medium (145-337 kg/ha).  Available sulphur is low (<10 ppm) in an area of about 25 per cent, medium (10 -20 ppm) in 49 per cent and high (>20 ppm) in 6 per cent.  About 8 per cent area is low (<0.5 ppm) in available boron and 72 per cent is medium (0.5-1.0 ppm).  Available iron is sufficient (>4.5 ppm) in the entire 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 47 per cent and sufficient (>0.6 ppm) in 33 per cent.  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 42(8) 139(26) Guava - 81(15) Maize 81(15) 100(19) Sapota - 81(15) Bajra 81(15) 100(19) Pomegranate - 86(16) Groundnut 45(8) 81(15) Musambi 5(<1) 81(15) Sunflower 5(<1) 82(15) Lime 5(<1) 81(15) Redgram - 138(26) Amla 81(15) 49(9) Bengal gram 5(<1) - Cashew - 0.14 Cotton 5(<1) 37(7) Jackfruit - 81(15) Chilli 81(15) 49(9) Jamun - 5(<1) Tomato 81(15) 44(8) Custard apple 50(9) 81(15) Brinjal 81(15) 44(8) Tamarind - 5(<1) Onion 81(15) 44(8) Mulberry - 81(15) Bhendi 81(15) 49(9) Marigold 81(15) 49(9) Drumstick - 86(16) Chrysanthemum 81(15) 49(9) 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 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. 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 Malraddipalli-1 micro-watershed among them 5 (14.29 %) were landless, 25 (71.43 %) were marginal farmers, 3 (8.57 %) were small farmers and 2 (5.71 %) were semi medium farmers.  The data indicated that there were 98 (68.06 %) men and 46 (31.94 %) women among the sampled households. The average family size of landless farmers’ was 3.4, marginal farmers’ was 4.24, small farmers’ was 4 and semi medium farmers’ was 4.5.  The data indicated that, 10 (6.94 %) people were in 0-15 years of age, 62 (43.06 %) were in 16-35 years of age, 50 (34.72 %) were in 36-60 years of age and 22 (15.28 %) were above 61 years of age.  The results indicated that Malraddipalli-1 had 48.61 per cent illiterates, 12.50 per cent of them had Primary School, 15.97 per cent of them had High School, 6.94 per cent of them had PUC education, 2.78 per cent of them had diploma education, 2.08 per cent of them had ITI education, 10.42 per cent of them had Degree education and 0.69 per cent of them had Masters education.  The results indicate that, 88.57 per cent of household heads were practicing agriculture and 14.29 per cent of the household heads were agricultural labourers.  The results indicate that agriculture was the major occupation for 68.75 per cent of the household members, 0.69 per cent were agricultural labourers, 8.33 per cent were General labourers, 5.56 per cent were Private Service, 13.89 per cent were students and 0.69 per cent were Housewives.  The results show that, 100 per cent of the population in the micro watershed has not participated in any institutions.  The results indicate that 60 per cent of the households possess Katcha house and 40 per cent of them possess pucca/RCC house.  The results show that 100 per cent of the households possess TV, 82.86 per cent of the households possess mixer/grinder, 8.57 per cent of the households possess refrigerator, 2.86 per cent of the households possess Bicycle and Auto, 34.29 per cent of the households possess motor cycle and 88.57 per cent of the households possess mobile phones.  The results show that the average value of television was Rs. 5,642, mixer/grinder was Rs. 1,411, refrigerator was Rs. 8,000, Bicycle was Rs. 1,000, Auto was Rs. 30,000, Motor Cycle was Rs. 37,916, Auto was Rs. 30,000 and mobile phone was Rs. 2,015.  About 40 per cent of the households possess bullock cart, 51.43 per cent of them possess plough and seed/ fertilizer drill, 25.71 per cent of them possess irrigation pump, 2.86 per cent of them possess Tractor, 45.71 per cent of them possess Sprayer and 71.43 per cent of them possess weeder. 2  The results show that the average value of bullock cart was Rs. 26,360, plough was Rs. 3,050, seed/ fertilizer drill was Rs. 2,066, irrigation pump was Rs. 42,272, Sprayer was Rs. 2,325, Tractor was Rs. 500,000 and weeder was Rs. 35.  The results indicate that, 34.29 per cent of the households possess bullocks, 8.57 per cent of the households possess local cow, 11.43 per cent of the households possess Buffalo and sheep and 14.29 per cent of the households possess Poultry birds.  The results indicate that, average own labour men available in the micro watershed was 2, average own labour (women) available was 1.20, average hired labour (men) available was 8.50 and average hired labour (women) available was 8.70.  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 Malraddipalli-1 micro-watershed possess 19.02 ha (98.72 %) of dry land and 0.25 ha (1.28 %) of irrigated land. Marginal farmers possess 8.49 ha (97.17 %) of dry land and 0.25 ha (2.83 %) of irrigated land. Small farmers possess 4.39 ha (100 %) of dry land. Semi medium farmers possess 6.14 ha (100 %) of dry land.  The results indicate that, the average value of dry land was Rs. 519,336.03 and the average value of irrigated land was Rs. 2,672,459.02. In case of marginal famers, the average land value was Rs. 845,309.81 for dry land and Rs. 2,672,459.02 for irrigated land. In case of small famers, the average land value was Rs. 273,431.74 for dry land. In case of semi medium famers, the average land value was Rs. 244,232.04 for dry land.  The results indicate that, there were 8 functioning bore wells in the micro watershed.  The results indicate that, there was 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 22.86 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 and.  The results indicate that, the depth of bore well was found to be 12.37 meters and the depth of open well was found to be 2.18 meters .  The results indicate that, marginal, small and semi medium farmers had an irrigated area of 1.74 ha, 2.61 ha and 2.90 ha respectively.  The results indicate that, farmers have grown cotton (1.08 ha), paddy (4.97 ha), red gram (11.55 ha), green gram (1.49 ha) and Black gram (0.15 ha).  The results indicate that, the cropping intensity in Malraddipalli-1 micro-watershed was found to be 86.89 per cent.  The results indicate that, 60 per cent of the households have bank account and 2.86 per cent of the households have savings.  The results indicate that, 8.57 per cent of the households have availed credit from different sources. 3  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for red gram was Rs. 124230.32. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 206773.78. The net income from red gram cultivation was Rs. 82543.46. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1: 1.66.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for green gram was Rs. 128097.09. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 126829.38. The net income from green gram cultivation was Rs. -1267.71. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1: 0.99.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for paddy was Rs. 164537.63. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 132462.09. The net income from paddy cultivation was Rs. -32075.54. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1: 0.81.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for Black gram was Rs. 124556.97. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 104000. The net income from Black gram cultivation was Rs. -20556.97. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1: 0.83.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for Cotton was Rs. 266666.67. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 86085.69. The net income from Cotton cultivation was Rs. 86085.69. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1: 1.48.  The results indicate that, 45.71 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was adequate and 25.71 per cent of the households opined that green fodder was adequate.  The results indicate that the annual gross income was Rs. 50,232 marginal farmers, for small farmers it was Rs. 206,666.67 and for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 170,000.  The results indicate that the average annual expenditure is Rs. 1,619.60. For marginal farmers it was Rs. 11,544.44, for small farmers it was Rs. 52,777.78 and for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 35,000.  The results indicate that, sampled households have grown 245 Custard apple, 13 Jack fruit and 6 mango trees in their field.  The results indicate that, households have planted 2 Teak, 48 neem and 2 acacia trees in their field.  The results indicated that, households have an average investment capacity of Rs. 9,937.14 for land development.  The results indicated that Loan from bank was the source of additional investment for 68.57 per cent for land development. Own funds was the source of additional investment for 8.57per cent for land development. Soft loan was the source of additional investment for 8.57 per cent for land development.  The results indicated that, Cotton, Black gram was sold to the extent of 100 per cent, green gram was sold to the extent of 89.58 per cent, paddy was sold to the extent of 93.6 per cent and red gram to the extent of 89.88 per cent. 4  The results indicated that, about 82.86 per cent of the farmers sold their produce to local/village merchants and 2.86 per cent of the farmers sold their produce to Agent/Traders.  The results indicated that, 2.86 per cent of the households have used truck and Cart and 80 per cent of the households used tractor as a mode of transportation.  The results indicated that, 85.71 per cent of the households have experienced soil and water erosion problems in the farm.  The results indicated that, 85.71 per cent have shown interest in soil test.  The results indicated that, 97.14 per cent of the households used firewood and 8.57 per cent of them used LPG as a source of fuel.  The results indicated that, piped supply was the major source of drinking water for 100 per cent of the households in the micro watershed.  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, 28.57 per cent of the households possess sanitary toilet facility.  The results indicated that, 94.29 per cent of the sampled households possessed BPL cards and 5.71 per cent of the sampled households possessed APL cards .  The results indicated that, 100 per cent of the households participated in NREGA programme.  The results indicated that, cereals and pulses were adequate for 100 per cent of the households, oilseeds were adequate for 91.43 per cent, vegetables and meat were adequate for 65.71 per cent, fruits were adequate for 2.86 per cent, Milk were adequate for 91.43 per cent, Egg were adequate for 2.86 per cent and Egg were adequate for 20 per cent.  The results indicated that, oilseeds and milk were inadequate for 8.57 per cent of the households, fruits were inadequate for 97.14 per cent of the households, vegetables were inadequate for 31.43 per cent, Egg were inadequate for 80 per cent and Meat were inadequate for 97.14 per cent.  The results indicated that, lower fertility status of the soil and Wild animal menace on farm field were the constraint experienced by 85.71 per cent of the households, frequent incidence of pest and diseases (82.86 %), inadequacy of irrigation water (14.29 %), high cost of fertilizers and plant protection chemicals, High rate of interest on credit and Low price for the agricultural commodities (80 %), Lack of marketing facilities in the area (77.14 %), Lack of marketing facilities in the area (77.14 %), Inadequate extension services and Less rainfall (5.71 %), Lack of transport for safe transport of the Agril produce to the market (71.43 %) and Source of Agri-technology information (2.86 %).