LAND RESOURCE INVENTORY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF FARM HOUSEHOLDS FOR WATERSHED PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT YADGIR RF-1 (4D5B1F2a) MICROWATERSHED Gurumitkal Hobli, Yadgir Taluk and District, Karnataka

Abstract

The land resource inventory of Yadgir RF1Microwatershed 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 490 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 485 ha in the microwatershed is covered by soils, 0.25 ha by rock outcrops and 5 ha by others (habitation and water body). The salient findings from the land resource inventory are summarized briefly below.  The soils belong to 6 soil series and 12 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 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 32 per cent area is very shallow (<25 cm), 42 per cent area is shallow (25- 50 cm), 15 per cent area of the microwatershed has soils that are moderately shallow (50-75 cm) and 10 per cent area is moderately deep (75 - 100 cm).  About 41 per cent area in the microwatershed has sandy soils, 48 per cent loamy soils and 9 per cent clayey soils at the surface.  Maximum of 74 per cent area in the microwatershed is gravelly (15-35%) and 25 per cent is non gravelly (<15%).  About 10 per cent is medium (101-150 mm/m) in available water capacity and 89 is very low (<50 mm/m).  About 63 per cent area in the microwatershed has very gently sloping (1-3% slope) lands and 36 per cent has gently sloping (3-5% slope) lands.  An area of about 86 per cent is moderately (e2) eroded and 13 per cent area is severely (e3) eroded.  An area of about 46 per cent is slightly acid (pH 6.0-6.5) in soil reaction and 53 per cent area 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 content and 79 per cent area is high (>0.75%).  Entire area is medium (23-57 kg/ha) in available phosphorus.  About 70 per cent is medium (145-337 kg/ha) in available potassium and 29 per cent is low (<145 kg/ha).  Available sulphur is medium (10-20 ppm) in an entire area of about 99 per cent.  Available boron is low (<0.5 ppm) in an area of about 89 per cent and medium (0.5-1.0 ppm) in 10 per cent area of the microwatershed.  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 12 per cent and sufficient (>0.6 ppm) in 87 per cent area of the microwatershed.  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 29 (6) 20 (4) Guava - - Maize - 20 (4) Sapota - - Bajra 29 (6) 20 (4) Pomegranate - 50 (10) Groundnut - - Musambi - 50 (10) Sunflower 1- 50 (10) Lime - 50 (10) Redgram - 50 (10) Amla - 49 (10) Bengal gram 29 (6) 20 (4) Cashew - - Cotton - 50 (10) Jackfruit - - Chilli - 50 (10) Jamun - - Tomato - - Custard apple 20 (4) 29 (6) Brinjal 50 (10) - Tamarind - - Onion 50 (10) - Mulberry - - Bhendi 50 (10) - Marigold - 50 (10) Drumstick - 50 (10) Chrysanthemum - 50 (10) 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 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 indicated that there were 111(55.78%) men and 88 (44.22%) women among the sampled households.  The average family size of landless farmers’ was 4.6, marginal farmers’ was 5.3, small farmers’ was 5.45 and semi medium farmers’ was 7.8.  The data indicated that, 32 (16.08%) people were in 0-15 years of age, 91 (45.73%) were in 16-35 years of age, 44 (22.11%) were in 36-60 years of age and 32 (16.08%) were above 61 years of age.  The results indicated that Yadgir Rf-1 had 51.76 per cent illiterates, 0.50 per cent of them had functional illiterate, diploma, ITI and masters, 12.06 per cent of them had primary school, 6.03 per cent of them had middle school and degree education, 11.56 per cent of them had high school education and 4.52 per cent of them had PUC education.  The results indicate that agriculture was the major occupation for 25.13 per cent of the household members, 30.65 per cent were agricultural labourers, 1.51 per cent were in general labour, 4.02 per cent were private service, 4.52 per cent were trade and business, 12.56 per cent were students, 15.08 per cent were housewives and 6.53 per cent were children.  The results show that, 100 per cent of the population in the micro watershed has not participated in any local institutions.  The results indicate that 77.14 per cent of the households possess katcha house and 22.86 per cent of them possess pucca/RCC house.  The results show that 80 per cent of the households possess TV, 11.43 per cent of the households possess mixer/grinder and bicycle, 2.86 per cent of the households possess refrigerator, 20 per cent of the households possess motor cycle and 100 per cent of the households possess mobile phones.  The results show that the average value of television was Rs. 8,785, mixer/grinder was Rs.2000, refrigerator was Rs. 8,000, bicycle was Rs. 2,325, motor cycle was Rs.50,714 and mobile phone was Rs.2,787.  About 2.86 per cent of the households possess bullock cart, 42.86 per cent of them possess plough, 2.86 per cent of them possess seed/fertilizer drill and 40 per cent of them possess weeder.  The results show that the average value of bullock cart was Rs. 19,000, plough was Rs. 2,426, seed/fertilizer drill was Rs. 2,000 and the average value of weeder was Rs.51.  The results indicate that, 34.29 per cent of the households possess bullocks, 31.43 per cent of the households possess local cow, 11.43 per cent of the households possess buffalo and 5.71 per cent of the households possess goat and poultry birds. 2  The results indicate that, average own labour men available in the micro watershed was 2.31, average own labour (women) available was 1.66, average hired labour (men) available was 14.59 and average hired labour (women) available was 11.22.  The results indicate that, 91.43 per cent of the households opined that the hired labour was adequate.  The results indicate that, households of the Yadgir Rf-1 micro-watershed possess 32.95 ha (93.24%) of dry land, 1.98 ha (5.61%) of irrigated land and 0.40 ha (1.15%) of permanent fallow land. Marginal farmers possess 9.17 ha (95.13%) of dry land, 0.06 ha (1.92%) and 0.4 ha (4.20%) of permanent fallow land. Small farmers possess 11.52 ha (85.73%) of dry land and 1.92 ha (14.27%) of irrigated land. Semi medium farmers possess 12.26 ha (100%) of dry land.  The results indicate that, the average value of dry land was Rs. 646,088.67; the average value of irrigated land was Rs. 1,310,612.24 and the average value of permanent fallow land was Rs. 1,976,000. In case of marginal famers, the average land value was Rs. 1,144,022.94 for dry land, the average value of irrigated land was Rs. 6,175,000.14 and the average value of permanent fallow land was Rs. 1,976,000. In case of small famers, the average land value was Rs. 563,926.94 for dry land and Rs. 1,146,413.50 for irrigated land. In case of semi medium famers, the average land value was Rs. 350,643.78 for dry land.  The results indicate that, there were 4 functioning bore wells in the micro watershed.  The results indicate that, bore well was the major irrigation source in the micro water shed for 11.43 per cent of the farmers.  The results indicate that, the depth of bore well was found to be 12.19 meters.  The results indicate that, marginal and small farmers had an irrigated area of 0.06 ha and 1.92 ha respectively.  The results indicate that, farmers have grown red gram (31.5 ha), groundnut (2.44 ha), paddy (0.61 ha) and green gram (4.02 ha). Marginal farmers have grown red gram, paddy and green gram. Small farmers have grown red gram, groundnut and paddy. Semi medium farmers have grown red gram and groundnut.  The results indicate that, the cropping intensity in Yadgir Rf-1 micro-watershed was found to be 99.20 per cent.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for red gram was Rs. 31285.33. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 61970.38. The net income from red gram cultivation was Rs. 30685.06. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.98.  The total cost of cultivation for green gram was Rs. 70223.42. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 61750. The net income from green gram cultivation was Rs. -8473.42. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.88. 3  The total cost of cultivation for paddy was Rs. 292727.65. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 310942.70. The net income from paddy cultivation was Rs. 18215.05. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.06.  The total cost of cultivation for groundnut was Rs. 69276.29. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 100829.94. The net income from groundnut cultivation was Rs. 31553.65. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.46.  The results indicate that, 45.71 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was adequate and 48.57 per cent of the households opined that green fodder was adequate.  The results indicate that the annual gross income was Rs. 108,333.33 for landless farmers, for marginal farmers it was Rs. 105,785, for small farmers it was Rs. 179,718.18 and for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 191,928.  The results indicate that the average annual expenditure is Rs. 18,655.77. For landless households it was Rs. 45,000, for marginal farmers it was Rs. 9,227.20, for small farmers it was Rs. 16,506.06 and for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 37,750.  The results indicate that, sampled households have grown 2 coconut and 17 custard apple and mango tree in their field and also 2 coconut, custard apple and guava trees in their backyard.  The results indicate that, households have planted 65 neem and 2 tamarind trees in their field and also 26 neem trees in their backyard.  The results indicated that, households have an average investment capacity of Rs. 3,428.57 for land development, Rs. 15,285.71 for irrigation facility and Rs. 285.71 for improved crop production.  The results indicated that loan from bank was the source of additional investment for 14.29 per cent for land development, 28.57 for irrigation facility and for 2.86 per cent of irrigation facility.  The results indicated that, green gram was sold to the extent of 60 per cent, groundnut was sold to the extent of 71.43 per cent, paddy was sold to the extent of 26.83 per cent and red gram to the extent of 61.98 per cent.  The results indicated that, about 82.86 per cent of the farmers sold their produce to local/village merchants and 11.43 per cent of the farmers sold their produce to regulated markets.  The results indicated that, 94.29 per cent of the households have used tractor as a mode of transportation.  The results indicated that, 42.86 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 2.86 per cent of them used LPG as a source of fuel. 4  The results indicated that, piped supply was the major source of drinking water for 100 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, 57.14 per cent of the households possess sanitary toilet facility.  The results indicated that, 100 per cent of the sampled households possessed BPL cards.  The results indicated that, 82.86 per cent of the households participated in NREGA programme.  The results indicated that, cereals, milk, egg and meat were adequate for 100 per cent of the households, pulses were adequate for 94.29 per cent, oilseeds were adequate for 5.71 per cent, vegetables were adequate for 71.43 per cent and fruits were adequate for 17.14 per cent.  The results indicated that, pulses were inadequate for 5.71 per cent of the households, oilseeds were inadequate for 94.29 per cent, vegetables were inadequate for 51.43 per cent and fruits were inadequate for 82.86 per cent of the households.  The results indicated that, lower fertility status of the soil, frequent incidence of pest and diseases, inadequacy of irrigation water and high cost of fertilizers and plant protection chemicals was the constraint experienced by 91.43 per cent of the households, wild animal menace on farm field and high rate of interest on credit (88.57%), low price for the agricultural commodities (11.43%), lack of marketing facilities in the area and inadequate extension services (2.86%).