LAND RESOURCE INVENTORY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF FARM HOUSEHOLDS FOR WATERSHED PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT NAGARABUNDI-2 (4D5B1M2b) MICROWATERSHED Balichakra Hobli, Yadgir Taluk and District, Karnataka

Abstract

The land resource inventory of Nagarabundi-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 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 405 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 397 ha in the microwatershed is covered by soils, about <1 ha (<1%) covered by rock outcrops and others covers an area of 6 ha (1%) in the microwatershed. The salient findings from the land resource inventory are summarized briefly below.  The soils belong to 14 soil series and 24 soil phases (management units) and 7 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.  An area about 397 ha (99%) in the microwatershed is suitable for agriculture.  About 45 per cent area of the microwatershed has soils that are deep to very deep (100 - >150 cm), 9 per cent soils are moderately deep (75-100) whereas 33 per cent soils are moderately shallow (50 -75 cm) and 11 per cent soils are shallow (25 -50 cm) in the microwatershed.  About 14 per cent area in the microwatershed has sandy soils, 17 percent soils are loamy and 67 per cent soils clayey at the surface.  Entire cultivated area in the microwatershed has non gravelly (<15%) soils.  About 44 per cent area of the microwatershed is very high (>200 mm/m) in available water capacity, 7 percent soils are medium (51-100), 34 per cent soils are low (51-100 mm/m) and 13 per cent area is very low (<50 mm/m) available water capacity.  An area about 81 per cent area of the microwatershed has very gently sloping (1- 3% slope) lands and 18 per cent is nearly level (0-1% slope) lands.  An area of about 4 per cent area is severely (e3) eroded. About 77 per cent area is moderately (e2) eroded and 18 percent soils are slightly eroded (e1).  About <1 per cent soil are neutral (pH 6.5-7.3) and 93 per cent soil are slightly to moderately alkaline (pH 7.3-8.4) and 5 per cent area is strongly alkaline soils.  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.  An area of about 67 per cent is high (>0.75%) and 32 percent is medium (0.50- 0.75%) in organic carbon content.  An area of 7 percent is high (>57 kg/ha) in available phosphorus and about 92 percent is medium (23-57 kg/ha) in available phosphorus.  An area of about 76 percent is medium (145-337kg/ha) and 22 percent is high (>337kg/ha) in available potassium.  An area of about 40 percent is medium (10-20ppm) and 59 percent area is low (<10ppm) in available sulphur  Available boron is low (<0.5 ppm) in an area of about 10 per cent and medium (0.5-1.0 ppm) covering maximum area of about 88 per cent soils.  Available iron content is sufficient (>4.5ppm) in the entire cultivated 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 all the soils 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 24(6) 277(69) Guava - 33(8) Maize 24(6) 277(69) Sapota - 33(8) Bajra 24(6) 276(69) Pomegranate - 140(35) Groundnut - 86(21) Musambi - 140(35) Sunflower - 140(35) Lime - 140(35) Redgram - 168(42) Amla 24(6) 141(35) Bengal gram - 135(34) Cashew - - Cotton - 211(52) Jackfruit - 33(8) Chilli 24(6) 239(59) Jamun - - Tomato 24(6) 132(33) Custard apple - 273(68) Brinjal 24(6) 132(33) Tamarind - - Onion 24(6) 132(33) Mulberry - 33(8) Bhendi 24(6) 239(59) Marigold 24(6) 239(59) Drumstick - 33(8) Chrysanthemum 24(6) 239(59) 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, fiber 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 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 to 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 97 (65.1%) men and 52 (34.9%) women among the sampled households.  The average family size of was marginal farmers’ was 4.75, small farmers’ was 4.6 semi medium farmers were 5.4 and medium farmers was 4.25.  The data indicated that, 22 (14.77%) people were in 0-15 years of age, 57 (38.26%) were in 16-25 years of age and 36-60 years of age and 13 (8.72%) were above 61 years of age.  The results indicated that Nagarbundi-2 had 64.43 per cent illiterates, 8.0 per cent of them had primary school, 4.7 per cent of them had middle school, 10.07 per cent of them had high school, 7.38 per cent of them had PUC and 0.67 per cent of them had degree education.  The results indicate that, 100 per cent of household heads were practicing agriculture.  The results indicate that agriculture was the major occupation for 80.54 per cent of the household members, 0.67 per cent was agricultural labourers, 1.34 per cent were private service, 12.75 per cent were student and 4.7 per cent were in 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 25.81 per cent of the households possess thatched, 64.52 per cent of the households possess katcha house and 9.68 per cent of the households possess pucca/RCC house.  The results show that 90.32 per cent of the households possess TV, 80.65 per cent of the households possess mixer/grinder, 48.39 per cent of the households possess motor cycle, 6.45 per cent of the household’s posses auto and 96.77 per cent of the households possess mobile phones.  The results show that the average value of television was Rs. 5,464, mixer/grinder was Rs. 1,853, motor cycle was Rs. 46,333, auto was Rs. 200,000 and mobile phone was Rs. 2,452.  About 22.58 per cent each of the households possess bullock cart, 51.61 per cent each of the households possess Plough, 3.23 per cent each of the households possess seed/fertilizer drill, power tiller, tractor and harvester, 16.13 per cent of the households possess sprayer and sprinkler and thresher, 77.42 per cent each of the households possess weeder.  The results show that the average value of bullock cart was Rs. 15,542, plough was Rs. 3,562, seed/ fertilizer drill was Rs. 1,500, power tiller was Rs. 35,000, tractor was Rs. 400,000, sprayer was Rs. 4,600, sprinkler was Rs. 4,800, weeder 2 was Rs. 161, harvester was Rs. 5,000 and the average value of thresher was Rs. 160.  The results indicate that, 32.26 per cent of the households possess bullocks, 9.68 per cent of the households possess local cow and buffalo and 3.23 per cent of the households possess goat.  The results indicate that, average own labour men available in the micro watershed was 1.50, average own labour (women) available was 1.25, average hired labour (men) available and average hired labour (women) available was 7.71.  The results indicate that, 96.77 per cent of the households opined that the hired labour was adequate.  The results indicate that, households of the Nagarbundi-2 micro-watershed possess 39.67 ha (78.46 %) of dry land and 10.89 ha (21.54 %) of irrigated land. Marginal farmers possess 5.37 ha (100%) of dry land. Small farmers possess 13.26 ha (83.55%) of dry land and 2.61 ha (16.45%) of irrigated land. Semi medium farmers possess 10.93 ha (74.75%) of dry land and 3.69 ha (25.25%) of irrigated land. medium farmers possess 10.12 ha (68.78%) of dry land and 4.59 ha (31.22%) of irrigated land.  The results indicate that, the average value of dry land was Rs. 252,971.54 and the average value of irrigated land was Rs. 541,344.73. In case of marginal famers, the average land value was Rs. 633,333.33 for dry land. In case of small famers, the average land value was Rs. 316,570.03 for dry land and the average land value was Rs. 880,775.19 for irrigated land. In case of semi medium famers, the average value of dry land was Rs. 182,962.96 and the average value of irrigated land was Rs. 541,666.67. In case of medium famers, the average value of dry land was Rs. 43,472; the average value of irrigated land was Rs. 348,193.84.  The results indicate that, there were 8 functioning and 7 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 29.03 per cent of the farmers.  The results indicate that, the depth of bore well was found to be 21.34 meters.  The results indicate that, small, semi medium and medium farmers had an irrigated area of 3.72 ha, 3.64 ha and 2.83 ha respectively.  The results indicate that, farmers have grown cotton (15.99%), green gram and maize (2.02 ha), groundnut (12.21 ha), paddy (2.43 ha), jowar (4.45 ha) and red gram (7.59 ha). Marginal farmers have grown cotton and red gram. Small farmers have grown cotton, groundnut, paddy and red gram. Semi medium farmers have grown cotton, green gram, groundnut and red gram. Medium farmers have grown groundnut, cotton and jowar. 3  The results indicate that, the cropping intensity in Nagarbundi-2 micro-watershed was found to be 98.13 per cent.  The results indicate that, 100 per cent of the households have bank account and 51.61 per cent of savings.  The results indicate that, 83.87 per cent of the households have availed credit from different sources.  The results indicate that, 66.67 per cent of the households have borrowed from commercial bank and grameena bank.  The results indicate that, the average credit amount borrowed by households in micro-watershed was Rs, 63,333.33.  The results indicate that, 100 per cent of the households borrowed from institutional sources for the purpose of agricultural production.  The results indicated that 80 per cent of the households partially paid their loan and 20 per cent of the households do not repay their loan from institutional sources.  The results indicate that, 60 per cent opined that the loan amount borrowed from helped to perform timely agricultural operations and 40 per cent opined that loan amount borrowed easy accessibility of credit.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for Cotton was Rs. 39478.66. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 65486.01. The net income from Cotton cultivation was Rs. 26007.35. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.66.  The total cost of cultivation for jowar was Rs. 5320.28. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 26271.82. The net income from jowar cultivation was Rs. 20951.54. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:4.94.  The total cost of cultivation for Red gram was Rs. 26818.54. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 37363.41. The net income from Red gram cultivation was Rs. 10544.87. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.39.  The total cost of cultivation for green gram was Rs. 20462.18. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 29640. The net income from green gram cultivation was Rs. 9177.82. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.45.  The total cost of cultivation for groundnut was Rs. 45533.80. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 67251.09. The net income from groundnut cultivation was Rs. 21717.29. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.48.  The total cost of cultivation for paddy was Rs. 38850.18. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 47671. The net income from paddy cultivation was Rs. 8820.82. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.23.  The results indicate that, 45.16 per cent of the households opined that dry and green fodder was adequate and 38.71 per cent of the households opined that green foddrer was adequate. 4  The results indicate that the annual gross income was Rs. 59,750 for marginal farmers, for small farmers it was Rs. 111,500, semi medium farmers it was Rs. 122,714.29 and for medium farmers it was Rs. 145,000.  The results indicate that the average annual expenditure is Rs. 9,258.50. For marginal farmers it was Rs. 3,640.63, for small farmers it was Rs. 8,202.02, for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 7,959.18 and for medium farmers it was Rs. 25,937.50.  The results indicate that, households have planted 12 mango trees in their field.  The results indicate that, households have planted 9 teak, 52 neem, 7 acacia and 1 banyan trees in their field.  The results indicated that, households have an average investment capacity of Rs. 7,919.35 for land development and households have an average investment capacity of Rs. 1,709.68 for improved crop production.  The results indicated that Own funds was the source of additional investment for 87.57 per cent for land development, 15.63 per cent for improved crop production and 3.13 per cent for improved livestock management. Soft loan was the source of additional investment for 9.38 per cent for improved crop production.  The results indicated that, cotton was sold to the extent of 96.3 per cent, green gram was sold to the extent of 85.0 per cent, groundnut was sold to the extent of 86.3 per cent, jowar was sold to the extent of 90.91 per cent, paddy was sold to the extent of 83.33 per cent and red gram was sold to the extent of 82.88 per cent.  The results indicated that, about 93.55 per cent of the farmers sold their produce to local/village merchant and 12.90 per cent of the farmers sold their produce to regulated market.  The results indicated that, 100 per cent of the households have used tractor as a mode of transportation.  The results indicated that, 3.23 per cent of the households have experienced soil and water erosion problems in the farm.  The results indicated that, 100 per cent have shown interest in soil test.  The results indicated that, 100 per cent of the households used fire wood and 22.58 per cent of the households used LPG as a source of fuel.  The results indicated that, piped supply was the major source of drinking water for 74.19 per cent of the households and 22.58 per cent of the households used bore well 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, 67.74 per cent of the households possess sanitary toilet facility.  The results indicated that, 100 per cent of the sampled households possessed BPL cards. 5  The results indicated that, 100 per cent of the households participated in NREGA programme.  The results indicated that, cereals and pulses were adequate for 96.77 per cent of the households, oilseed were adequate for 6.45 per cent, vegetables and egg were adequate for 41.94 per cent, fruits were adequate for 9.68 per cent, milk were adequate for 70.97 per cent and meat were adequate for 29.03 per cent.  The results indicated that, oilseed were inadequate for 90.32 per cent of the households, vegetables were inadequate for 58.06 per cent, fruits were inadequate for 87.1 per cent, milk were inadequate for 25.81 per cent, egg were inadequate for 48.39 per cent and meat were inadequate for 64.52 per cent of the households.  The results indicated that, lower fertility status of the soil, wild animal menace on farm field, high cost of fertilizer and plant protection chemicals in the area, high rate of interest on credit and low price for the agricultural commodities was the constraint experienced by 100 per cent of the households, frequent incidence of pest and diseases and inadequate extension service (90.32%), Inadequacy of irrigation water (96.77%), lack of marketing facilities in the area and lack of transport for safe transport of the agril produce to the market (93.55%).