LAND RESOURCE INVENTORY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF FARM HOUSEHOLDS FOR WATERSHED PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT HANUMANAHALLI-2 (4D3A9C2a) MICRO WATERSHED Koppal Hobli, Koppal Taluk and District, Karnataka

Abstract

The land resource inventory of Hanumanahalli-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 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 675 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 96 per cent is covered by soils, 3 per cent by rock outcrops and 1 per cent is by habitation and settlements. The salient findings from the land resource inventory are summarized briefly below.  The soils belong to 20 soil series and 40 soil phases (management units) and 8 Land Management Units.  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.  An area of about 96 per cent is suitable for agriculture.  About 33 per cent of the soils are shallow to moderately shallow (25-75 cm), 62 per cent of the soils are moderately deep to deep (75-150 cm) and 1 per cent soils are very deep (>150 cm).  About 2 per cent area in the microwatershed has sandy soils, 63 per cent area in the microwatershed has loamy soils and 32 per cent clayey soils at the surface.  About 27 per cent area has non-gravelly (<15% gravel) soils and 70 per cent has gravelly to very gravelly (15-60% gravel) soils.  About 82 per cent area is very low to low (<50-100 mm/m), 14 per cent area is medium to high (101-200 mm/m) and <1 per cent area is very high (>200 mm/m) in available water capacity.  About 1 per cent area of the microwatershed has nearly level (0-1% slope) lands, 77 per cent area of the microwatershed has very gently sloping(1-3% slope) lands, 13 per cent area of the microwatershed has gently sloping (3-5% slope) lands and 5 per cent area of the microwatershed has moderately sloping (5-10%) lands.  An area of about 5 per cent area is severely (e3) eroded, 80 per cent area is moderately (e2) eroded and about 11 per cent area is slightly (e1) eroded.  An area of about <1 per cent soils are slightly acid (pH 6.0-6.5), 42 per cent soils are neutral (pH 6.5-7.3) and 55 per cent soil are slightly alkaline to moderately alkaline (pH 7.3-8.4) in soil reaction.  The Electrical Conductivity (EC) of the soils in the entire cultivated area of the microwatershed is dominantly <2 dsm-1 indicating that the soils are non-saline.  Organic carbon is medium (0.5-0.75%) in 86 per cent area and high (>0.75%) in 11 per cent area.  An area of about 93 per cent is medium (23-57 kg/ha) and 4 per cent is high (>57 kg/ha) in available phosphorus.  An area of about 5 per cent is low (<145 kg/ha), 88 per cent is medium (145-337 kg/ha) and 4 per cent is high (>337 kg/ha) in available potassium.  Available sulphur is low (<10 ppm) in <1 per cent, medium (10 -20 ppm) in 89 per cent and high (>20 ppm) in 7 per cent area of the microwatershed.  Entire cultivated area of the microwatershed is low (<0.5 ppm) in available boron content.  An area of about 95 per cent is sufficient (>4.5 ppm) and 2 per cent is deficient (<4.5 ppm) in available iron content.  Entire cultivated area of the microwatershed is sufficient (>1.0 ppm) in available manganese content.  Entire cultivated area of the microwatershed is sufficient (>0.2 ppm) in available copper content.  An area of about 67 per cent is deficient (<0.6 ppm) and 29 per cent is sufficient (>0.6 ppm) in available zinc content.  The land suitability for 31 major 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 81(12) 133(20) Sapota 60(9) 240(36) Maize 41(6) 174(26) Pomegranate 60(9) 240(36) Bajra 139(21) 279(41) Guava 28(4) 272(40) Groundnut 37(5) 439(65) Jackfruit 60(9) 240(36) Sunflower 49(7) 101(15) Jamun 40(6) 259(38) Cotton 40(6) 174(26) Musambi 60(9) 240(36) Red gram 49(7) 101(15) Lime 60(9) 240(36) Bengalgram - 268(40) Cashew 20(3) 275(41) Chilli 73(11) 141(21) Custard apple 150(22) 398(59) Tomato 73(11) 141(21) Amla 150(22) 398(59) Brinjal 96(14) 248(37) Tamarind 40(6) 39(6) Onion 43(6) 301(45) Marigold 41(6) 174(26) Bhendi 43(6) 301(45) Chrysanthemum 41(6) 174(26) Drumstick 49(7) 221(33) Jasmine 41(6) 174(26) Mulberry 55(8) 374(56) Crossandra 49(7) 165(24) Mango 40(6) 34(5)  Apart from the individual crop suitability, a proposed crop plan has been prepared for the 8 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. 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 114 (54.81%) men and 94 (45.19%) were women among the sampled households.  The average family size of landless farmers was 5, marginal farmers’ was 5.60, small farmers’ was 5.69, semi medium farmers’ was 5, medium farmers’ was 6.40 and large farmers’ was 6.  The data indicated that, 64 (30.77%) people were in 0-15 years of age, 83 (39.90%) were in 16-35 years of age, 48 (23.08%) were in 36-60 years of age and 13 (6.25%) were above 61 years of age.  The results indicated that Hanumanahalli-2 had 31.25 per cent illiterates, 43.27 per cent of them had primary school education, 2.40 per cent of them had middle school education, 7.21 per cent of them had high school education, 4.33 per cent of them had PUC education, 1.44 per cent of them did ITI and 5.77 per cent of them had degree education.  The results indicate that, 86.49 per cent of households practicing agriculture and 16.22 per cent of the households were agricultural laborers.  The results indicate that agriculture was the major occupation for 21.15 per cent of the household members, 38.46 per cent were agricultural labourers, 3.37 per cent were in private service, 0.48 per cent were retired, 29.81 per cent of them were students, 2.88 per cent of them were housewife and 3.85 per cent were children.  The results show that 100 per cent of the households have not participated in any local institutions.  The results indicate that 91.89 per cent of the households possess katcha house, 2.70 per cent of them possess pucca house and 5.41 per cent of them possess semi pucca house.  The results shows that 97.30 per cent of the households possess TV, 67.57 per cent of the households possess Mixer grinder, 29.73 per cent of the households possess motor cycle and 97.30 per cent of the households possess mobile phones.  The results shows that the average value of television was Rs. 5,277, mixer grinder was Rs. 1,788, motor cycle was Rs. 49,500 and mobile phone was Rs. 2,500.  About 2.70 per cent of them possess bullock cart, 16.22 per cent of the households possess plough, 2.70 per cent of the households possess power tiller, 5.41 per cent of them possess tractor, 2.70 per cent of them possess sprayer, 2.70 per cent of them possess chaff cutter and 54.05 per cent of them possess weeder.  The results show that the average value of bullock cart was Rs. 30,000, plough was Rs. 2,333, power tiller was Rs. 20,000, tractor was Rs. 450,000, sprayer was Rs. 4,000, chaff cutter was Rs. 1,800 and the average value of weeder was Rs.166. 2  The results indicate that, 29.73 per cent of the households possess bullocks, 37.84 per cent of the households possess local cow and 5.41 per cent possess crossbred cow and 2.70 per cent possess buffalo.  The results indicate that, average own labour men available in the micro watershed was 1.59, average own labour (women) available was 1.32, average hired labour (men) available was 5 and average hired labour (women) available was 5.86.  The results indicate that, 8.11 per cent of the household opined that hired labour was adequate and 91.89 per cent of opined that hired labour was inadequate.  The results indicate that, households of the Hanumanahalli-2 micro watershed possess 51.68 ha (72.94%) of dry land and 19.17 ha (27.06%) of irrigated land. Marginal farmers possess 6.92 ha (100%) of dry land. Small farmers possess 10.71 ha (66.97%) of dry land and 5.28 ha (33.03%) of irrigated land. Semi medium possess 2.02 ha (38.46%) of dry land and 3.24 ha (61.54%) of irrigated land. Medium farmers possess 9.37 ha (46.79%) of dry land and 10.66 ha (53.21%) of irrigated land. Large farmers possess 22.66 ha (100%) of dry land.  The results indicate that, the average value of dry land was Rs. 154,737.67 and average value of irrigated was Rs. 323,216.55. In case of marginal famers, the average land value was Rs. 549,210.06 for dry land. In case of small famers, the average land value was Rs. 252,040.82 for dry land and Rs. 643,524.91 for irrigated land. In case of semi medium famers, the average land value was Rs. 148,200 for dry land and Rs. 308,750 for irrigated land. In case of medium famers, the average land value was Rs. 85,356.37 for dry land and Rs. 168,856.82 for irrigated land. In case of large farmers the average value of dry land was Rs. 17,642.86.  The results indicate that, there were 9 functioning and 3 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 24.32 per cent of the farmers.  The results indicate that, the depth of bore well was found to be 16.06 meters.  The results indicate that, small farmers had an irrigated area of 4.39 hectares, semi medium farmers had 1.62 hectares and medium farmers had 5.72 hectares.  The results indicate that, farmers have grown maize (27.81 ha), bajra (10.79 ha), groundnut (3.69 ha), sunflower (2.15), Bengal gram (2.02) and tomato (0.81 ha).  The results indicate that, the cropping intensity in Hanumanahalli-2 micro watershed was found to be 83.71 per cent. In case of marginal farmers it was 89.52 per cent, for small farmers it was 98.09 per cent, in case of semi medium farmers it was 81.82 per cent, medium farmers had a cropping intensity of 69.81 per cent and large farmers had a cropping intensity of 100 per cent. 3  The results indicate that, 43.24 per cent of the households possess bank account and savings in the micro watershed.  The results indicate that, 50 per cent of marginal, 38.46 per cent of small, 100 per cent of semi medium and 60 per cent of medium farmers have borrowed credit from different sources.  The results indicate that, 43.75 per cent have availed loan from commercial bank, 6.25 per cent have availed loan from friends/relatives, 12.50 per cent have availed loan from grameena bank and 6.25 per cent have availed loan from SHGs/CBOs.  The results indicate that, marginal, small and medium have availed a credit of Rs. 40,000, Rs. 29,400 and Rs. 115,000 respectively.  The results indicate that, 100 per cent of the households have borrowed loan from institutional sources for the purpose of agricultural production.  The results indicate that, 50 per cent of the households have borrowed loan from private credit for the purpose of agricultural production and 50 per cent borrowed for the purpose of education.  Results indicated that 88.89 per cent of the households did not repay their loan and 11.11 per cent of the households partially paid their loan.  Results indicated that 50 per cent of the households did not repay their loan and another 50 per cent of the households fully repaid their loan.  The results indicate that, around 77.78 per cent of the households opined that the credit obtained helped to perform timely agricultural operations and 11.11 per cent opined that the loan amount was adequate to fulfil the requirement.  The results indicate that, around 50 per cent of the households opined that the loan helped them to perform timely agricultural operations.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for maize was Rs.31990.97. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 36584.29. The net income from Maize cultivation was Rs. 4593.32, thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.14.  The total cost of cultivation for Bajra was Rs.37768. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs.28486.29. The net income from Bajra cultivation was Rs. - 9281.71. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.75.  The total cost of cultivation for tomato was Rs.43555.94. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 21612.50. The net income from tomato cultivation was Rs. -21943.44. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.5.  The total cost of cultivation for groundnut was Rs. 36637.17. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 35479.73. The net income from groundnut cultivation was Rs. -1157.43. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.97.  the total cost of cultivation for Bengal gram was Rs.13532.43. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 60070.40. The net income from Bengal gram cultivation was Rs. 46537.97, thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:4.44. 4  the total cost of cultivation for sunflower was Rs.30488.15. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 39127.05. The net income from sunflower cultivation was Rs. 8638.90, thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.28.  The results indicate that, 21.62 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was adequate, 18.92 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was inadequate. Another 8.11 per cent of the households opined that green fodder was adequate and 2.70 per cent opined that green fodder was inadequate.  The results indicate that the average annual gross income was Rs. 68,000 for landless farmers, for marginal farmers it was Rs. 34,400, for small farmers it was Rs. 58,461.54, for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 95,933.33, for medium farmers it was Rs. 106,400 and for large farmers it was Rs. 95,000.  The results indicate that the average annual expenditure is Rs. 5,302.72. For landless households it was Rs. 3,600, for marginal farmers it was Rs 2,577.50, for small farmers it was Rs. 3,207.10, for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 14,777.78, for medium farmers it was Rs. 9,880 and for large farmers it was Rs. 17,000.  The results indicate that, sampled households have grown 2 coconut trees in their field and 1 mango tree in their backyard.  The results indicate that, households have planted 53 neem trees and 5 banyan trees in their field. Also, 4 neem trees and 2 acacia trees in the backyard.  The results indicate that, households have an average investment capacity of Rs. 1,954.27 for land development, Rs. 459.46for irrigation facility, Rs. 567.57 for improved crop production and Rs. 54.05 for orchard development/maintenance.  The results indicate that, government subsidy is the source of additional investment for land development for 10.81 per cent and for improved crop production for 16.22 per cent. Own funds are the source of additional investment for 8.11 per cent for land development and for 2.7 per cent for improved crop production. Soft loan was the source of additional investment for 29.73 per cent for land development, for 10.81 per cent for irrigation facility, for 2.7 per cent for improved crop production and for 2.7 per cent for orchard development/maintenance.  The results indicated that, bajra was sold to the extent of 97.3 per cent, Bengal gram was sold to the extent of 100 per cent, groundnut was sold to the extent of 96 per cent, maize was sold to the extent of 98.15 per cent, sunflower was sold to the extent of 100 per cent and tomato was sold to the extent of 100 per cent.  The results indicated that, about 2.70 per cent of the households sold their produce to agent/traders, another 16.22 per cent have sold their produce to local/village merchants and 89.19 per cent have sold in regulated markets.  The results indicated that 105.41 per cent of the farmers have used tractor as a mode of transport for their agricultural produce and 2.7 per cent have also used cart. 5  The results indicated that, 27.03 per cent of the households have experienced the soil and water erosion problems.  The results indicated that, 78.38 per cent of the households are interested in soil testing.  The results indicated that, piped supply was the major source of drinking water for 51.35 per cent of the households, bore well was the source of drinking water for 43.24 per cent of the households, lake/tank was the source of drinking water for 2.70 per cent and RO water was the source of drinking water for 2.70 per cent of the households.  The results indicated that, 97.30 percent used fire wood, and 2.70 percent of the households used LPG as a source of fuel.  Electricity was the major source of light for 100 per cent of the households in micro watershed.  The results indicated that, 29.73 per cent of the households possess sanitary toilet i.e. 20 per cent of landless, 10 per cent of marginal, 23.08 per cent of small, 100 per cent of semi medium, 40 per cent of medium and 100 per cent of large farmers had sanitary toilet facility.  The results indicated that, 100 per cent of the sampled households possessed BPL card.  The results indicated that, 62.16 per cent of the households participated in NREGA programme.  The results indicated that, cereals were adequate for 89.19 per cent of the households, pulses were adequate for 64.86 per cent, oilseeds were adequate for 29.73 per cent, vegetables were adequate for 56.76 per cent, fruits were adequate for 8.11 per cent, milk was adequate for 37.84 per cent, eggs were adequate for 24.32 per cent and meat was adequate for 18.92 per cent of the households.  The results indicated that, cereals were inadequate for 13.51 per cent, pulses were inadequate for 35.14 per cent, oilseeds were inadequate for 64.86 per cent, vegetables were inadequate for 43.24 per cent, fruits were inadequate for 86.49 per cent, milk were inadequate for 48.65 per cent, eggs were inadequate for 72.97 per cent and meat was inadequate for 54.05 per cent of the households.  The results indicated that, lower fertility status of the soil was the constraint experienced by 78.38 per cent of the households, wild animal menace on farm field (62.16%), frequent incidence of pest and diseases (45.95%), inadequacy of irrigation water (32.43%), high cost of fertilizers and plant protection chemicals (43.24%), high rate of interest on credit (16.22%), low price for the agricultural commodities (10.81%), lack of marketing facilities in the area (16.22%), lack of transport for safe transport of the agricultural produce to the market (37.84%) and inadequate extension services (24.32%), less rain fall (43.24%) and source of agri-technology information (18.92%).