LAND RESOURCE INVENTORY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF FARM HOUSEHOLDS FOR WATERSHED PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT BIKKANAHALLI (4D4A1W2b) MICRO WATERSHED Alavandi Hobli, Koppal Taluk and District, Karnataka

Abstract

The land resource inventory of Bikkanahalli 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 548 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 96 per cent is covered by soil and 4 per cent by habitation and water body. The salient findings from the land resource inventory are summarized briefly below  The soils belong to 17 soil series and 26 soil phases (management units) and 8 land use classes.  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 16 per cent of the soils are shallow (25-50 cm), 10 per cent of the soils are moderately shallow (50-75 cm), 16 per cent moderately deep (75- 100 cm) and 54 per cent is deep to very deep (100->150cm) soils.  About 13 per cent loamy (sandy loam and sandy clay loam) and 83 per cent has clayey (sandy clay and clay) soils at the surface.  About 37 per cent of the area has non-gravelly (<15%) soils, 56 per cent has gravelly soils (15-35 % gravel) and 3 per cent very gravelly (35-60 %) soils.  With respect to available water capacity 20 per cent of the area has very low (<50mm/m), 35 per cent of the area has low (51-100 mm/m), 18 per cent medium (101-150 mm/m), 2 per cent high (151-200 mm/m) and 21 per cent area has very high (>200mm/m) in available water capacity.  An area of about 13 per cent has nearly level (0-1%) lands and 83 per cent has very gently sloping (1-3%) lands.  An area of about 41 per cent is slightly eroded (e1) and 55 per cent is moderately eroded (e2) lands.  An area of about 2 per cent slightly alkaline (pH 7.3 to 7.8), 44 per cent moderately alkaline (pH 7.8 to 8.4), 22 per cent strongly alkaline (pH 8.4-9.0) and 28 per cent very strongly alkaline (pH >9.0) in reaction.  The Electrical Conductivity (EC) of the soils are dominantly <2 dsm-1 indicating that soils are non saline.  Organic carbon is low (<0.5%) in 48 per cent, medium (0.5-0.75%) in 48 per cent and high (>0.75%) in <1 per cent area of the soils.  Available phosphorus is low (<23 kg/ha) in 25 per cent and medium (23-57 kg/ha) in 71 per cent of the soils.  Available potassium is medium (145-337 kg/ha) in 3 per cent and high (>337 kg/ha) in 93 per cent of the soils.  Available sulphur is medium (10-20 ppm) in 71per cent and high (>20 ppm) in 25 per cent area of the soils.  Available boron is low (<0.5 ppm) in 87 per cent and medium (0.5-1.0) in 9 per cent area of the microwatershed.  Available iron is sufficient (>4.5 ppm) in the entire area.  Available zinc is deficient (<0.6 ppm) in the entire area of the microwatershed.  Available manganese and copper are sufficient in the entire area.  The land suitability for 31 major agricultural and horticultural crops grown in the microwatershed was assessed and the areas that are highly suitable (class S1) and moderately suitable (class 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 174(32) 182(33) Sapota 54(10) 135(24) Maize 42(8) 313(58) Pomegranate 96(18) 220(40) Bajra 119(22) 250(45) Musambi 168(31) 149(28) Groundnut 12(2) 271(49) Lime 168(31) 149(28) Sunflower 168(31) 132(24) Amla 148(27) 289(53) Redgram 54(10) 237(43) Cashew 96(18) 94(17) Bengal gram 119(22) 236(43) Jackfruit 54(10) 135(24) Cotton 131(24) 224(41) Jamun 12(2) 290(52) Chilli 77(14) 150(27) Custard apple 267(49) 170(31) Tomato 77(14) 150(27) Tamarind 12(2) 221(41) Brinjal 159(29) 209(39) Mulberry 96(18) 281(51) Onion 108(20) 132(24) Marigold 54(10) 301(55) Bhendi 108(20) 260(48) Chrysanthemum 54(10) 301(55) Drumstick 96(18) 265(48) Jasmine 54(10) 173(31) Mango 12(2) 107(20) Crossandra 54(10) 195(36) Guava 54(10) 133(24) Apart from the individual crop suitability, a proposed crop plan has been prepared for the 8 identified LUCs 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 to these problematic soils like saline/alkali, highly eroded, sandy soils etc.,  Soil and water conservation and drainage line 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  The data indicated that there were 131 (59.01%) men and 91 (40.99%) women among the sampled households.  The average family size of landless farmers’ was 4.8, marginal farmers’ was 4.3, small farmers’ was 5.27, semi medium farmers’ was 5, medium farmers’ was 7.33 and large farmers’ was 6.  The data indicated that, 42 (18.92%) people were in 0-15 years of age, 95 (42.79%) were in 16-35 years of age, 64 (28.83%) were in 36-60 years of age and 21 (9.46%) were above 61 years of age.  The results indicated that Bikkanahalli had 23.87 per cent illiterates, 25.68 per cent of them had primary school education, 6.76 per cent of them had middle school education, 16.67 per cent of them had high school education, 9.91 per cent of them had PUC education, 0.90 per cent had diploma, 4.50 per cent of them did ITI, 9.46 per cent of them had degree education and 0.45 per cent did masters.  The results indicate that, 82.22 per cent of households were practicing agriculture and 17.78 per cent of the households were agricultural labourers.  The results indicate that agriculture was the major occupation for 42.34 per cent of the household members, 22.97 per cent were agricultural laborers, 0.90 per cent of the households general labourers, 0.90 per cent of the households were in government service, 1.35 per cent were in private service, 27.48 per cent were students and 1.80 per cent were children.  The results show that 98.65 per cent of the population in the micro watershed has not participated in any local institutions, 0.45 per cent of the population participated in sthree shakthi sangha and 0.90 per cent participated in self help group.  The results indicate that 4.44 per cent of the households possess thatched house, 84.44 per cent of the households possess Katcha house and 11.11 per cent of the households possess pucca/RCC house.  The results show that 4.44 per cent of the households possess radio, 75.56 per cent of the households possess TV, 24.44 per cent of the households possess Mixer grinder, 6.67 per cent of the households possess bicycle, 28.89 per cent of the households possess motor cycle, 2.22 per cent of the households possess landline phone and 95.56 per cent of the households possess mobile phones.  The results show that the average value of radio was Rs.750, television was Rs.5426, mixer grinder was Rs.1290, bicycle was Rs. 866, motor cycle was Rs.31307, landline phone was Rs.1250 and mobile phone was Rs.2281.  About 22.22 per cent of the households possess bullock cart, 8.89 per cent of the households possess plough, 2.22 per cent of them possess seed/fertilizer drill, 2.22 per cent of them possess tractor, 2.22 per cent of them possess sprayer and 20 per cent of them possess weeder. 2  The results show that the average value of bullock cart was Rs.22400, the average value of plough was Rs.2250, the average value of seed/fertilizer drill was Rs.3000, the average value of tractor was Rs.300000, the average value of sprayer was Rs.2000 and the average value of weeder was Rs.50.  The results indicate that, 22.22 per cent of the households possess bullocks, 11.11 per cent of the households possess local cow, 6.67 per cent of them possess buffalo and 2.22 per cent of the households possess poultry birds.  The results indicate that, average own labour men available in the micro watershed was 1.93, average own labour (women) available was 1.23, average hired labour (men) available was 7.55 and average hired labour (women) available was 7.38.  The results indicate that, 62.22 per cent of the households opined that the hired labour was adequate and 24.44 per cent of the households opined that the hired labour was inadequate.  The results indicate that, households of the Bikkanahalli micro-watershed possess 73.47 ha (89.81%) of dry land and 8.34 ha (10.19%) of irrigated land. Marginal farmers possess 12.10 ha (96.76%) of dry land and 0.40 ha (3.24%) of irrigated land. Small farmers possess 17.42 ha (100%) of dry land. Semi medium farmers possess 6.48 ha (65.04%) of dry land and 3.48 per cent (34.96%) of irrigated land. Medium farmers possess 9.15 ha (67.26%) of dry land and 4.45 ha (32.74%) of irrigated land; large farmers possess 28.33 ha (100%) of dry land.  The results indicate that, the average value of dry land was Rs. 151,492.43 and average value of irrigated land was Rs. 389,684.47. In case of marginal famers, the average land value was Rs. 417,034.44 for dry land and Rs. 1,235,000 for irrigated land. In case of small famers, the average land value was Rs. 225,823.66 for dry land. In case of semi medium famers, the average land value was Rs. 192,968.75 for dry land and Rs. 545,697.68 for irrigated land. In case of medium famers, the average land value was Rs. 65,575.22 for dry land and Rs. 190,863.64 for irrigated land and in case of large farmers it was Rs. 10,585.71 for dry land.  The results indicate that, there were 8 functioning and 5 de-functioning bore wells in the micro watershed.  The results indicate that, bore well was the major irrigation source in the micro water shed for 17.78 per cent of the farmers.  The results indicate that, the depth of bore well was found to be 14.09 meters.  The results indicate that, marginal, semi medium and medium farmers had irrigated area of 1.21 ha, 3.08 ha and 4.45 ha respectively.  The results indicate that, farmers have grown maize (21.98 ha), bajra (6.30 ha), sunflower (6.73 ha), Bengal gram (1.42 ha), sorghum (8.42 ha), redgram (1.82 ha), navane (1.01), blackgram (0.40), Greengram (0.81), horsegram (0.81), onion (0.40) and chilly (0.65 ha). 3  The results indicate that, the cropping intensity in Bikkanahalli micro-watershed was found to be 66.07 per cent. In case of marginal farmers it was 86.40 per cent, small farmers it was 76.21 per cent, in case of semi medium farmers it was 81.46, medium farmers it was 45.35 per cent and in case of large farmers it was 100 per cent.  The results indicate that, 75.56 per cent of the households have bank account and 24.44 per cent have savings.  The results indicate that, 44.44 per cent of the households have availed credit from different sources.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for maize was Rs. 46549.67. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 33923.77. The net income from Maize cultivation was Rs. -12625.90, thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.73.  The total cost of cultivation for redgram was Rs. 36636.55. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 4763.57. The net income from redgram cultivation was Rs. -31872.97. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.13.  The total cost of cultivation for bajra was Rs. 31736.21. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 18149.41. The net income from bajra cultivation was Rs. - 13586.80. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.57.  The total cost of cultivation for Green gram was Rs. 20029.78. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 7410. The net income from Green gram cultivation was Rs. -12619.78. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.37.  The total cost of cultivation for chilly was Rs. 30931.31. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 27787.50. The net income from chilly cultivation was Rs. - 3143.81. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.9.  The total cost of cultivation for sunflower was Rs. 37640.24. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 22297.69. The net income from sunflower cultivation was Rs. -15342.56. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.59.  The total cost of cultivation for bengal gram was Rs. 49117.08. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 25214.58. The net income from bengal gram cultivation was Rs. -23902.50. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.51.  The total cost of cultivation for sorghum was Rs. 25990.03. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 17599.03. The net income from sorghum cultivation was Rs. -8391.01. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.68.  The total cost of cultivation for navane was Rs. 22542.34. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 8892. The net income from navane cultivation was Rs. - 13650.34. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.39.  The total cost of cultivation for blackgram was Rs. 29957.73. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 25935. The net income from blackgram cultivation was Rs. -4022.73. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.87. 4  The total cost of cultivation for horsegram was Rs. 34435.29. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 6669. The net income from horsegram cultivation was Rs. -27766.29. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.19.  The total cost of cultivation for onion was Rs. 89144.62. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 29640. The net income from onion cultivation was Rs. - 59504.62. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.33.  The results indicate that, 28.89 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was adequate and 2.22 per cent opined that dry fodder was inadequate.  The results indicate that the average annual gross income was Rs. 27,000 for landless farmers, for marginal farmers it was Rs. 43,955.79, for small farmers it was Rs. 40,545.45, for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 135,300, for medium farmers it was Rs. 170,333.33 and for large farmers it was Rs. 25,000.  The results indicate that the average annual expenditure is Rs. 5,601.85. For landless households it was Rs. 1,500, for marginal farmers it was Rs. 1,820.18, for small farmers it was Rs. 2,727.27, for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 9,111.11, for medium farmers it was Rs. 30,111.11 and for large farmers it was Rs. 35,000.  The results indicate that, the average additional investment capacity with the households for land development was Rs. 2933.33, for improved crop production Rs.1822.22 and for improved livestock management Rs. 1066.67.  The results indicate that, government subsidy was the source of additional investment capacity for 7.5 per cent for irrigation facility and 2.5 per cent for improved livestock management.  The results indicate that, loan from bank was the source of additional investment capacity for 22.22 per cent for land development, for another 22.22 per cent for improved crop production and 13.33 per cent for improved livestock management. Own funds were the source of additional investment for 13.33 per cent for land development and 8.89 per cent for improved crop production. Soft loan was the source of additional investment capacity for 2.22 per cent for land development, for 6.67 per cent for improved crop production and for 6.67 per cent for improved livestock management.  The results indicated that, all crops were sold to the extent of 100 per cent except blackgram (66.67), sorghum (96.94%) and sunflower (98.41%).  The results indicated that, about 46.67 per cent of the famers have sold their produce in regulated markets, 77.78 per cent of the farmers have sold to local/village merchants and 2.22 per cent have sold their produce to cooperative marketing society.  The results indicated that, 122.22 per cent of the households have used tractor as a mode of transportation for their agricultural produce and 2.22 per cent have used truck as a mode of transport for their agricultural produce. 5  The results indicated that, 86.67 per cent of the households have experienced soil and water erosion problems in the farm i.e., 89.47 per cent of the marginal farmers, 100 per cent of the small farmers, 100 per cent of semi medium, 100 per cent of medium and large farmers have experienced soil and water erosion problems.  The results indicated that, 80 per cent have shown interest in soil test i.e 94.74 per cent of marginal, 90.91 per cent of small, 66.67 per cent of semi medium, 100 per cent of medium and large farmers.  The results indicated that, 84.44 per cent of the households used firewood and 17.78 per cent used LPG as a source of fuel.  The results indicated that, bore well was the major source of drinking water for 28.89 per cent of the households, piped supply was the source of drinking water for 60 per cent of the households and lake/tank was the major source of drinking water for 4.44 per cent of the households and canal/nala was the source of drinking water for 2.22 per cent of the households in the micro watershed.  Electricity was the major source of light for 100 per cent of the households in micro watershed.  The results indicated that, 42.22 per cent of the households possess sanitary toilet i.e. 21.05 per cent of the marginal farmers, 36.36 per cent of the small farmers, 33.33 per cent of the semi medium farmers, 100 per cent of the landless, medium and large farmers.  The results indicated that, 95.56 per cent of the sampled households possessed BPL card, 4.44 per cent of the households possessed APL card and 2.22 per cent of the households did not possess PDS card.  The results indicated that, 42.22 per cent of the households participated in NREGA programme.  The results indicated that, cereals were adequate for 91.11 per cent of the households, pulses were adequate for 51.11 per cent, oilseeds were adequate for 11.11 per cent, vegetables were adequate for 46.67 per cent, fruits were adequate for 6.67 per cent, milk was adequate for 57.78 per cent, eggs were adequate for 31.11 per cent and meat was adequate for 20 per cent.  The results indicated that, cereals were inadequate for 8.89 per cent of the households, pulses were inadequate for 48.89 per cent of the households, oilseeds were inadequate for 84.44 per cent, vegetables were inadequate for 44.44 per cent, fruits were inadequate for 77.78 per cent, milk was inadequate for 31.11 per cent, eggs were inadequate for 62.22 per cent and meat was inadequate for 51.11 per cent of the households.  The results indicated that, oilseeds were market surplus for 2.22 per cent, fruits were market surplus for 11.11 per cent and milk was market surplus for 2.22 per cent of the households. 6  The results indicated that, lower fertility status of the soil was the constraint experienced by 84.44 per cent of the households, wild animal menace on farm field (71.11%), frequent incidence of pest and diseases (46.67%), inadequacy of irrigation water (13.33%), high cost of fertilizers and plant protection chemicals (35.56%), high rate of interest on credit (40%), low price for the agricultural commodities (51.11%), lack of marketing facilities in the area (57.78%), lack of transport for safe transport of the agricultural produce to the market (80%), inadequate extension services (24.44%), less rainfall (22.22%) and source of agri-technology information (17.78%).