LAND RESOURCE INVENTORY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF FARM HOUSEHOLDS FOR WATERSHED PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT NAGALAPUR-1 (4D5B1M1e) MICROWATERSHED Balichakra Hobli, Yadgir Taluk and District, Karnataka

Abstract

The land resource inventory of Nagalapur-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 677 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 598 ha in the microwatershed is covered by soils and about 78 ha by others (habitation and water bodies). The salient findings from the land resource inventory are summarized briefly below.  The soils belong to 15 soil series and 23 soil phases (management units) and 8 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 61 per cent area of the microwatershed has soils that are moderately deep to very deep (75 - >150 cm) and 26 per cent soils are very shallow to moderately shallow (<25-75 cm).  About 1 per cent area in the microwatershed has sandy soils, 73 per cent has loamy soils and 14 per cent clayey soils.  About of 86 per cent area of the microwatershed has non gravelly (<15%) soils and 3 per cent has gravelly (15-35%) soils.  About 22 per cent area of the microwatershed is very high (>200 mm/m) in available water capacity, 4 per cent medium (101-150 mm/m), 47 per cent area low (51-100 mm/m) and 16 per cent area very low (<50 mm/m) in available water capacity.  An area of 15 per cent has nearly level (0-1% slope) lands, 63 per cent has very gently sloping (1-3% slope) lands and 10 per cent has gently sloping (3-5% slope) lands of the microwatershed.  An area of about 8 per cent is severely (e3) eroded, 65 per cent area is moderately (e2) eroded and 15 per cent area is slightly (e1) eroded.  An area of about 34 per cent soils are neutral (pH 6.5-7.3) and 54 per cent are slightly alkaline (pH 7.3-7.8) in soil reaction.  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 3 per cent of the microwatershed is high (>0.75%) and 85 per cent is medium (0.50-0.75%) in organic carbon content.  About 33 per cent area is low (<23kg/ha), 50 per area is medium (23-57 kg/ha) and 5 per cent is high (> 57 kg/ha) in available phosphorus.  An area 44 per cent is low (<145 kg/ha) and 45 per cent is medium (145-337 kg/ha) in available potassium of the microwatershed.  Available sulphur is low (<10 ppm) in 3 per cent and medium (10-20 ppm) in 86 per cent of the microwatershed.  Available boron is low (<0.5 ppm) in 31 per cent and medium (0.5-1.0 ppm) in 57 per cent area of the microwatershed.  Available iron is sufficient (>4.5 ppm) in the entire cultivated 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 the entire cultivated 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 47(7) 143(21) Guava - 28(4) Maize 23(3) 192(28) Sapota - 28(4) Bajra 28(4) 162(24) Pomegranate - 55(8) Groundnut 8(1) 32(5) Musambi 27(4) 28 (4) Sunflower 27(4) 28(4) Lime 27(4) 28 (4) Redgram - 117(17) Amla 28(4) 100(15) Bengal gram 27(4) - Cashew - 25(4) Cotton 27(4) 25(4) Jackfruit - 28(4) Chilli 23(3) 105(15) Jamun - 27(4) Tomato 23(3) 78(12) Custard apple 55(8) 73(11) Brinjal 23(3) 78(12) Tamarind - 27(4) Onion 23(3) 78(12) Mulberry - 28(4) Bhendi 23(3) 105(16) Marigold 23(3) 105(16) Drumstick - 55(8) Chrysanthemum 23(3) 105(16) 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 105 (61.40%) men and 66 (38.6%) women among the sampled households.  The average family size of landless farmers’ was 4.8, marginal farmers’ was 4.3, small farmers’ was 5.2 and semi medium farmers’ was 4.5.  The data indicated that, 39 (22.81%) people were in 0-15 years of age, 72 (42.11%) were in 16-35 years of age, 53 (30.99%) were in 36-60 years of age and 7 (49%) were above 61 years of age.  The results indicated that Nagalapur-1 had 50.88 per cent illiterates, 11.70 per cent of them had Primary School, 72 per cent of them had Middle School, 16.37 per cent of them had High School, 4.68 per cent of them had PUC education, 1.75 per cent of them had diploma education and 2.34 per cent of them had Degree education.  The results indicate that, 5.56 per cent of household heads were practicing agriculture, 91.67 per cent of the household heads were agricultural laborers and 2.78 per cent of the household’s heads were trade and business.  The results indicate that agriculture was the major occupation for 6.43 per cent of the household members, 65.50 per cent were agricultural laborers, 0.58 per cent were in Household trade and business and dairy farm, 18.71 per cent were students, 2.92 per cent were housewives and 5.26 per cent were children.  The results show that, 0.58 per cent of the population in the micro watershed has participated in grama panchayat and 99.42 per cent of the population in the micro watershed has not participated in local institution.  The results indicate that 52.78 per cent of the households possess Thatched house, 16.67 per cent of the households possess Katcha house, 22.22 per cent of them possess pucca/RCC house and 8.33 per cent of the households possess semi pacca house.  The results show that 72.22 per cent of the households possess TV, 58.33 per cent of the households possess mixer/grinder, 2.78 per cent of the households possess refrigerator and car/four wheeler, 41.67 per cent of the households possess motor cycle and 91.67 per cent of the households possess mobile phones.  The results show that the average value of television was Rs. 8,830, mixer/grinder was Rs. 1,976, refrigerator was Rs. 1,500, Motor Cycle was Rs. 37,366, car/four wheeler was Rs. 30,000 and mobile phone was Rs. 2,774.  About 27.78 per cent of the households possess bullock cart, 38.89 per cent of them possess plough, 2.78 per cent of them possess seed/ fertilizer drill, irrigation pump and thresher, 11.11 per cent of them possess Sprayer and sprinkler and 69.44 per cent of them possess weeder.  The results show that the average value of bullock cart was Rs. 14,580, plough was Rs. 20,078, seed/ fertilizer drill was Rs. 4,000, irrigation pump was Rs. 7,000, 2 Sprayer was Rs. 3,800, sprinkler was Rs. 4,300, weeder was Rs. 252 and the average value of thresher was Rs. 180.  The results indicate that, 41.67 per cent of the households possess bullocks, 25 per cent of the households possess local cow, 2.78 per cent of the households possess cross breed cow and sheep, 11.11 per cent of the households possess buffalo and 5.56 per cent of the households possess goat.  The results indicate that, average own labour men available in the micro watershed was 2.19, average own labour (women) available was 1.5, average hired labour (men) available was 10.61 and average hired labour (women) available was 9.42.  The results indicate that, 88.89 per cent of the households opined that the hired labour was adequate and 11.11 per cent of the households opined that the hired labour was inadequate.  The results show that, 2.34 per cent of the population in the micro watershed has migrated. The results show that, average distance of migration was 500 kms and average duration of migration was 11 months.  The results show that, 50 per cent of the population has migrated for the purpose of job/wage/work and business.  The results indicate that, households of the Nagalapur-1 micro-watershed possess 14.31 ha (28.80%) of dry land, 34.98 ha (70.38%) of irrigated land and 0.4 ha (0.81%) of permanent fallow land. Marginal farmers possess 5.9 ha (87.68%) of dry land, 0.42 ha (6.31%) of irrigated land and o.4 ha (6.1%) of permanent fallow land. Small farmers possess 7.39 ha (59.9%) of dry land and 40.91 ha (40.91%) of irrigated land. Semi medium farmers possess 12 ha (6.86%) of dry land and 13.79 ha (93.14%) of irrigated land. Medium farmers possess 15.64 ha (100%) of irrigated land.  The results indicate that, the average value of dry land was Rs. 583,107.15, the average value of irrigated land was Rs. 429,813.72 and the average value of permanent fallow land was Rs. 1,235,000. In case of marginal famers, the average land value was Rs. 550,205.61 for dry land, Rs. 1,881,904.85 for irrigated land and Rs. 1,235,000 for permanent fallow land. In case of small famers, the average land value was Rs. 554,296.67 for dry land and Rs. 671,683.80 for irrigated land. In case of semi medium famers, the average land value was Rs. 984,063.75 for dry land and Rs. 489,216.55 for irrigated land. Medium farmers, the average land value were Rs. 258,822.77 for irrigated land.  The results indicate that, there were 19 de-functioning and 23 functioning bore wells in the micro watershed.  The results indicate that, bore well was the major irrigation source in the micro water shed for 63.89per cent of the farmers.  The results indicate that, the depth of bore well was found to be 4.68 meters. 3  The results indicate that, marginal, small, semi medium and medium farmers had an irrigated area of 0.43 ha, 3.40 ha, 13.41 ha and 12 ha respectively.  The results indicate that, farmers have grown groundnut (21.08 ha), cotton (10.48ha), paddy and red gram (3.79 ha), green garm (22 ha), sorghum (0.81ha) and sweet potato (42.1 ha).  The results indicate that, the cropping intensity in Nagalapur-1 micro-watershed was found to be 97.14 per cent.  The results indicate that, 88.89 per cent of the households have bank account and 41.67 per cent of the households have savings.  The results indicate that, 27.78 per cent of the households have availed credit from different sources.  The results indicate that, 46.67 per cent of the households have borrowed from commercial bank, 6.67 per cent of the households have borrowed from cooperative, grameena bank and money lender and 20 per cent of the households have borrowed from friends/relatives.  The results indicate that, the average credit amount borrowed by households in micro-watershed was Rs, 61,666.67.  The results indicate that, 90 per cent of the households borrowed from institutional sources for the purpose of agricultural production and 10 per cent of the households from institutional sources for purpose of social functions like marriage.  The results indicate that, 75 per cent of the households borrowed from private sources for the purpose of agricultural production and 25 per cent of the households from private sources for the purpose of household consumption.  The results indicated that 10 per cent of the households partially paid their loan borrowed from institutional sources and 90 per cent of the households not paid their loan borrowed from institutional sources.  The results indicated that 100 per cent of the households did not repay their loan borrowed from private sources.  The results indicate that, 60 per cent opined that the loan amount borrowed from helped to perform timely agricultural operations and 30 per cent opined that the loan amount borrowed from higher rate of interest and 10 per cent opined that the loan amount borrowed from forced to sell the produce at low price to repay loan in time. The results indicate that, around 100 per cent opined that the loan amount was adequate to fulfil the requirement.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for red gram was Rs. 52355.73. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 49965.31. The net income from red gram cultivation was Rs. -2390.43. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.95. 4  The total cost of cultivation for green gram was Rs. 21594.32. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 43225. The net income from green gram cultivation was Rs. 21630.68. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:2.  The total cost of cultivation for paddy was Rs. 50657.82. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 41762.31. The net income from paddy cultivation was Rs. -8895.51. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.82.  The total cost of cultivation for groundnut was Rs. 487325. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 76436.68. The net income from groundnut cultivation was Rs. 27704.63. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.57.  The total cost of cultivation for Sorghum was Rs. 33099.27. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 37050. The net income from Sorghum cultivation was Rs. 3950.73. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.12.  The total cost of cultivation for Cotton was Rs. 29179.73. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 80363.79. The net income from Cotton cultivation was Rs. 511847. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:2.75.  The results indicate that, 41.67 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was adequate and 30.56 per cent of the households opined that green fodder was adequate.  The results indicate that the annual gross income was Rs. 121,055.56 marginal farmers, for small farmers it was Rs. 98,545.45 and for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 130,930 and medium farmers it was Rs. 161,166.67.  The results indicate that the average annual expenditure is Rs. 115,444.47. For marginal farmers it was Rs. 11,544.44, for small farmers it was Rs. 3,776.86, for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 20,332.22 and medium farmers it was Rs. 11,138.89.  The results indicate that, sampled households have grown 5 coconut, 22 lemon and 19 mango trees in their field.  The results indicate that, households have planted 9 Teak, 72 neem, 8 tamarind, 10 acacia, 4 Banyan and peepul trees in their field and also 1 neem trees in their backyard.  The results indicated that, households have an average investment capacity of Rs. 11,361.11 for land development; households have an average investment capacity of Rs. 3,277.78 for irrigation facility, households have an average investment capacity of Rs. 2,583.33 for improved crop production, households have an average investment capacity of Rs. 1,055.56 for improved livestock management, households have an average investment capacity of Rs.166.67 for orchard development/ maintenance and households have an average investment capacity of Rs.55.56 for purchase of farm machinery.  The results indicated that government subsidy was the source of additional investment for 2.78 per cent for irrigation facility and improved livestock 5 management. Loan from bank was the source of additional investment for 2.78 per cent for land development and 5.56 per cent for irrigation facility and improved livestock management. Own funds was the source of additional investment for 22.22 per cent for land development, 5.56 per cent for irrigation facility and 5.56 per cent for improved crop production. Soft loan was the source of additional investment for 22.22 per cent for land development, 19.44 per cent for irrigation facility, 16.67 per cent for improved crop production and 5.56 per cent for improved livestock management.  The results indicated that, Cotton was sold to the extent of 72.38 per cent, green gram was sold to the extent of 100 per cent, groundnut was sold to the extent of 78.96 per cent, paddy was sold to the extent of 82.86 per cent, Sorghum was sold to the extent of 80 per cent, and red gram to the extent of 88.24 per cent.  The results indicated that, about 77.78 per cent of the farmers sold their produce to local/village merchants, 8.33per cent of the farmers sold their produce to regulated markets and 11.11 per cent of the farmers sold their produce to cooperative marketing society.  The results indicated that, 13.89 per cent of the households have used head load, 5.56 per cent of the households have used Cart, 58.33 per cent of the households used tractor and 19.44 per cent of the households used truck as a mode of transportation.  The results indicated that, 94.44 per cent of the households have experienced soil and water erosion problems in the farm. The results indicated that, 91.67 per cent have shown interest in soil test.  The results indicated that, 19.44 per cent of the population adopted field bunding, 5.56 per cent of the population adopted summer ploughing and dead furrow.  The results indicated that, condition of field bunding was 71.43 per cent of good, 14.29 per cent were slightly damaged and severely damaged.  The results indicated that, 8.33 per cent of the population involved own and government agency, 2.78 per cent of the population involved farmer’s organization in the micro watershed.  The results indicated that, 80.56 per cent of the households used firewood and 33.33 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 36.11 per cent of the households in the micro watershed and Bore Well was the source of drinking water for 41.67 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, 38.89 per cent of the households possess sanitary toilet facility. 6  The results indicated that, 100 per cent of the sampled households possessed BPL cards.  The results indicated that, 80.56 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 8.33 per cent, vegetables and meat were adequate for 41.67 per cent, fruits were adequate for 11.11 per cent, Milk were adequate for 52.78 per cent and Egg were adequate for 47.22 per cent.  The results indicated that, oilseeds and fruits were inadequate for 88.89 per cent of the households, vegetables and meat were inadequate for 58.33 per cent, milk were inadequate for 44.44 per cent, Egg were inadequate for 52.78 per cent.  The results indicated that, lower fertility status of the soil was the constraint experienced by 80.56 per cent of the households, Wild animal menace on farm field, frequent incidence of pest and diseases and Lack of marketing facilities in the area (91.67%), inadequacy of irrigation water and high cost of fertilizers and plant protection chemicals (72.22%), High rate of interest on credit (75%), Low price for the agricultural commodities (97.22%), Inadequate extension services (27.78%), Lack of transport for safe transport of the Agril produce to the market (94.44%), Less rainfall (5.56%) and Source of Agri-technology information (2.78%).