LAND RESOURCE INVENTORY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF FARM HOUSEHOLDS FOR WATERSHED PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT YADGIR RF-1 (4D5B2H1d) MICROWATERSHED Yadgir Taluk and District, Karnataka

Abstract

The land resource inventory of Yadgir Rf-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 524 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 246 ha in the microwatershed is covered by soils, 271 ha by rock outcrops and 6 ha by others (habitation and water bodies). The salient findings from the land resource inventory are summarized briefly below.  The soils belong to 7 soil series and 11 soil phases (management units) and 5 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.  About 246 ha area in the microwatershed is suitable for agriculture.  About 30 per cent area of the microwatershed has soils that are moderately deep to very deep (75 - >150 cm) and 18 per cent soils are very shallow to moderately shallow (<25-75 cm).  About 8 per cent area in the microwatershed has sandy soils, 17 per cent has loamy soils and 21 per cent clayey soils.  About of 45 per cent area of the microwatershed has non gravelly (<15%) soils and 2 per cent has gravelly (15-35%) soils.  About 12 per cent area of the microwatershed is very high (>200 mm/m) in available water capacity, 8 per cent medium (101-150 mm/m), 9 per cent area low (51-100 mm/m) and 18 per cent area very low (<50 mm/m) in available water capacity.  An area of 46 per cent has very gently sloping (1-3% slope) lands and 1 per cent has gently sloping (3-5% slope) lands in the microwatershed.  An area of about 1 per cent is severely (e3) eroded and 46 per cent area is moderately (e2) eroded.  An area of about <1 per cent soils are neutral (pH 6.5-7.3) in soil reaction, about 6 per cent soil are slightly alkaline (pH 7.3-7.8) soils and 40 per cent soil are moderately alkaline (pH 7.8-8.4) soils.  The Electrical Conductivity (EC) of the soils in the entire cultivated area of the microwatershed is dominantly <2 dsm-1indicating that the soils are non-saline.  An area of about 47 per cent of the microwatershed is high (>0.75%) and <1 per cent is medium (0.50-0.75%) in organic carbon content.  About 19 per area is medium (23-57 kg/ha) and 28 per cent is high (> 57 kg/ha) in available phosphorus.  An area 31 per cent is high (>337 kg/ha) and 16 per cent is medium (145-337 kg/ha) in available potassium in the microwatershed.  Available sulphur is low (<10 ppm) in 33 per cent, medium (10-20 ppm) in 5 per cent and high (> 20 ppm) in 9 per cent of the microwatershed.  Available boron is low (<0.5 ppm) in 46 per cent and medium (0.5-1.0 ppm) in 1 per cent area of the microwatershed.  Available iron is sufficient (>4.5 ppm) in 45 per cent and deficient (< 4.5 ppm) in 2 per cent area of the microwatershed.  Available manganese and copper are sufficient in the entire cultivated area of the microwatershed.  Available zinc is deficient (<0.6 ppm) in 36 per cent and sufficient (> 0.6 ppm) in11 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 41(8) 65(12) Guava - 41(8) Maize 41(8) 65(12) Sapota - 41(8) Bajra 41(8) 65(12) Pomegranate - 54(10) Groundnut - 41(8) Musambi - 54(10) Sunflower - 54(10) Lime - 54(10) Redgram - 106(20) Amla 41(8) - Bengal gram - 13(3) Cashew - - Cotton - 54(10) Jackfruit - 41(8) Chilli 41(8) 13(3) Jamun - - Tomato 41(8) - Custard apple - 54(10) Brinjal 41(8) - Tamarind - - Onion 41(8) - Mulberry - 41(8) Bhendi 41(8) 13(3) Marigold 41(8) 13(3) Drumstick - 41(8) Chrysanthemum 41(8) 13(3) 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 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 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 sub marginal 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 109 (51.17%) men and 104 (48.83%) women among the sampled households.  The average family size of landless farmers’ was 4, marginal farmers’ was 5.1, small farmers’ was 4.1, semi medium farmers’ was 5.33 and medium farmers’ was 4.75.  The data indicated that, 37 (17.37%) people were in 0-15 years of age, 112 (52.58%) were in 16-35 years of age, 51 (23.94%) were in 36-60 years of age and 13 (6.10%) were above 61 years of age.  The results indicated that Yadgir Rf-1 had 46.95 per cent illiterates, 1.88 per cent of them were functional literate, 18.78 per cent of them had primary school education, 1.41 per cent of them had middle school education, 16.90 per cent of them had high school education, 5.16 per cent of them had PUC education, 1.41 per cent of them did diploma, 0.47 per cent did ITI and 2.82 per cent of them had degree education.  The results indicate that, 82.86 per cent of households were practicing agriculture, 14.29 per cent of the households were agricultural labourers, 2.86 per cent of them were in private service and 2.86 per cent of them were students.  The results indicate that agriculture was the major occupation for 42.72 per cent of the household members, 5.63 per cent were agricultural laborers, 0.47 per cent were general labourers, 6.10 per cent were in private service, 21.60 per cent were students, 18.78 per cent were housewives and 4.69 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 8.57 per cent of the households possess thatched house, 68.57 per cent of the households possess Katcha house and 22.86 per cent of them possess pucca house.  The results show that 91.43 per cent of the households possess TV, 2.86 per cent of the households possess Mixer grinder, 8.57 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.9000, mixer grinder was Rs.2000, motor cycle was Rs.56666 and mobile phone was Rs.2170.  About 17.14 per cent of them possess plough and another 17.14 per cent of them possess weeder.  The results show that the average value of plough was Rs.1500 and the average value of weeder was Rs.52.  The results indicate that, 5.71 per cent of the households possess bullocks and 2.86 per cent of the households possess local cow. 2  The results indicate that, average own labour men available in the micro watershed was 1.81, average own labour (women) available was 1.61, average hired labour (men) available was 13.35 and average hired labour (women) available was 9.61.  The results indicate that, 88.57 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 27.76 ha (83.01%) of dry land and 5.68 ha (16.99%) of irrigated land. Marginal farmers possess 6.23 ha (91.83%) of dry land and 0.55 ha (8.17%). Small farmers possess 13.29 ha (72.17%) of dry land and 5.13 ha (27.83%) of irrigated land. Semi medium farmers possess 8.24 ha (100%) of dry land.  The results indicate that, the average value of dry land was Rs. 457,274.06 and average value of irrigated land was Rs. 914,814.83. In case of marginal famers, the average land value was Rs. 930,864.20 for dry land and Rs. 2,343,795.61 for irrigated land. In case of small famers, the average land value was Rs. 375,951.30 for dry land and Rs. 760,299.93. In case of semi medium famers, the average land value was Rs. 230,500.99 for dry land.  The results indicate that, there were 8 functioning bore wells in the micro watershed.  The results indicate that, bore well was the major irrigation source in the micro water shed for 25.71 per cent of the farmers.  The results indicate that, the depth of bore well was found to be 24.38 meters.  The results indicate that, marginal and small farmers had irrigated area of 0.55 ha and 5.13 ha respectively.  The results indicate that, farmers have grown cotton (4.16 ha), greengram (2.63 ha), groundnut (4.88 ha), paddy (2.43 ha), red gram (20.62 ha) and sorghum (0.11 ha). Marginal farmers have grown cotton, green gram, paddy, red gram and sorghum. Small farmers have grown cotton, green gram, groundnut, paddy and red gram. Semi medium farmers have grown cotton, groundnut and redgram.  The results indicate that, the cropping intensity in Yadgir Rf-1 micro-watershed was found to be 100 per cent.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for redgram was Rs. 32235.30. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 67390.98. The net income from Redgram cultivation was Rs. 35155.69, thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:2.09.  The total cost of cultivation for sorghum was Rs. 190514.16. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 457407.39. The net income from sorghum cultivation was Rs. 266893.23. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:2.4.  The total cost of cultivation for groundnut was Rs. 36492.48. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 249503.47. The net income from groundnut cultivation was Rs. 213010.99. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:6.84. 3  The total cost of cultivation for cotton was Rs. 33904.63. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 66147.43. The net income from cotton cultivation was Rs. 32242.79. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.95.  The total cost of cultivation for paddy was Rs. 160646.66. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 80061.85. The net income from paddy cultivation was Rs. -80584.81. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.5.  The total cost of cultivation for greengram was Rs. 22474.80. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 73475.07. The net income from greengram cultivation was Rs. 51000.27. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:3.27.  The results indicate that, 8.57 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was adequate and another 8.57 per cent opined that green fodder was adequate.  The results indicate that the average annual gross income was Rs. 138,000 for landless farmers, for marginal farmers it was Rs. 121,079.17, for small farmers it was Rs. 174,133.33 and for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 371,833.33.  The results indicate that the average annual expenditure is Rs. 16,411.43. For landless households it was Rs. 30,400, for marginal farmers it was Rs. 5,861.11, for small farmers it was Rs. 6,360 and for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 85,555.56.  The results indicate that, sampled households have grown 2 coconut and 2 custard apple trees in their backyard and 3 mango trees in their field.  The results indicate that, households have planted 103 neem trees, 1 tamarind tree in their field and 1 neem tree in their backyard.  The results indicated that, all crops were sold to the extent of 100 per cent.  The results indicated that, about 80 per cent of the farmers sold their produce to local/village merchants and 5.71 per cent sold in regulated markets.  The results indicated that, 85.71 per cent of the households have used tractor as a mode of transportation for their agricultural produce.  The results indicated that, 25.71 per cent of the households have experienced soil and water erosion problems in the farm i.e., 33.33 per cent of the marginal farmers, 26.67 per cent of the small farmers and 33.33 per cent of semi medium farmers have experienced soil and water erosion problems.  The results indicated that, 65.71 per cent have shown interest in soil test which accounts for 83.33 per cent of marginal farmers, 73.33 per cent small farmers and 66.67 per cent of semi medium farmers.  The results indicated that, 94.29 per cent of the households used firewood and 14.29 per cent used LPG as a source of fuel.  The results indicated that, piped supply was the major source of drinking water for 94.29 per cent of the households and bore well was the source of drinking water for 5.71 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. 4  The results indicated that, 57.14 per cent of the households possess sanitary toilet i.e. 60 per cent of the landless, 66.67 per cent of the marginal, 46.67 per cent of the small and 66.67 per cent of the semi medium farmers.  The results indicated that, 100 per cent of the sampled households possessed BPL card and 2.94 per cent of the households possessed APL card.  The results indicated that, 82.86 per cent of the households participated in NREGA programme.  The results indicated that, cereals were adequate for 100 per cent of the households, pulses were adequate for 100 per cent, vegetables were adequate for 22.86 per cent, fruits were adequate for 31.43 per cent, milk was adequate for 97.14 per cent, eggs were adequate for 97.14 per cent and meat was adequate for 65.71 per cent.  The results indicated that, oilseeds were inadequate for 100 per cent, vegetables were inadequate for 77.14 per cent, fruits were inadequate for 71.43 per cent, milk was inadequate for 2.86 per cent, eggs were inadequate for 2.86 per cent of the households and meat was inadequate for 34.29 per cent of the households.  The results indicated that, lower fertility status of the soil was the constraint experienced by 88.57 per cent of the households, wild animal menace on farm field (85.71%), frequent incidence of pest and diseases (85.71%), inadequacy of irrigation water (85.71%), high cost of fertilizers and plant protection chemicals (85.71%), high rate of interest on credit (82.86%), low price for the agricultural commodities (85.71%) and lack of marketing facilities in the area (8.57%).