LAND RESOURCE INVENTORY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF FARM HOUSEHOLDS FOR WATERSHED PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT YARGOL-1 (4D5B2H2c) MICROWATERSHED Hatthakuni Hobli, Yadgir Taluk and District, Karnataka

Abstract

The land resource inventory of Yargol-1Microwatershed 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 459 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 357 ha in the microwatershed is covered by soils, 28 ha by rock outcrops and 73 ha by others (habitation and water body). The salient findings from the land resource inventory are summarized briefly below.  The soils belong to 8 soil series and 11 soil phases (management units) and 6 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 357 ha area in the microwatershed is suitable for agriculture.  About 2 per cent area is very shallow (<25 cm), 6 per cent area is shallow (25-50 cm), 2 per cent area of the microwatershed has soils that are moderately shallow (50-75 cm), 25 per cent area is moderately deep (75-100 cm), 24 per cent area is deep (100 - 150 cm) and 19 per cent area is very deep (>150 cm).  About 30 per cent area in the microwatershed has loamy soils and 48 per cent clay soils at the surface.  Maximum of 76 per cent area in the microwatershed is non gravelly (<15%) and 2 per cent is gravelly (15-35%).  About 22 per cent area of the microwatershed is very high (>200 mm/m) in available water capacity, 25 per cent is medium (101-150 mm/m), 22 per cent is low (51-100 mm/m) and 10 per cent area is very low (<50 mm/m).  Maximum area of 76 per cent in the microwatershed has very gently sloping (1-3% slope) lands and 2 per cent area is gently sloping (3-5%) lands.  Maximum area of about 75 per cent is moderately (e2) eroded and 3 per cent area is slightly (e1) eroded.  Entire cultivated area is neutral (pH 6.5-7.3) in soil reaction.  The Electrical Conductivity (EC) of entire soils of the microwatershed is dominantly <2 dsm-1indicating that the soils are non-saline.  Entire cultivated soils in the microwatershed is high (>0.75%) in organic carbon content.  Entire cultivated soils in the microwatershed is medium (23-57 kg/ha) in available phosphorus.  About 12 per cent is medium (145-337 kg/ha) in available potassium and 66 per cent is high (>337 kg/ha).  Available sulphur is low (<10 ppm) in an area of about <1 per cent, medium (10 -20 ppm) in 25 per cent of area and high (>20 ppm) in an area of 52 per cent.  Available boron is low (<0.5 ppm) in an area of 46 per cent and medium (0.5-0.1 ppm) in an area of 32 per cent 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 41 per cent and sufficient (>0.6 ppm) in 37 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 115 (25) 100 (22) Guava - 115 (25) Maize 115 (25) 100 (22) Sapota - 115 (25) Bajra 115 (25) 100 (22) Pomegranate - 190 (41) Groundnut - 115 (25) Musambi - 190 (41) Sunflower - 190 (41) Lime - 190 (41) Redgram - 215(47) Amla 115 (25) - Bengal gram - 75(16) Cashew - - Cotton - 190 (41) Jackfruit - 115 (25) Chilli 115 (25) 75 (16) Jamun - - Tomato 115 (25) - Custard apple - 190 (41) Brinjal 115 (25) - Tamarind - - Onion 115 (25) - Mulberry - 115 (25) Bhendi 115 (25) 75 (16) Marigold 115 (25) 75(16) Drumstick - 115 (25) Chrysanthemum 115 (25) 75(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 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 98 (50.26%) men and 97 (49.74%) women among the sampled households.  The average family size of landless farmers’ was 4.3, marginal farmers’ was 5.5, small farmers’ was 6 and semi medium farmers’ was 7.  The data indicated that, 42 (21.54%) people were in 0-15 years of age, 92 (47.18%) were in 16-35 years of age, 51 (26.15%) were in 36-60 years of age and 10 (5.13%) were above 61 years of age.  The results indicated that Yargol-1 had 68.21 per cent illiterates, 18.46 per cent of them had primary school, 5.13 per cent of them had middle school, 25 per cent of them had high school education, 38 per cent of them had PUC, and 0.51 per cent of them had degree education.  The results indicate that, 91.18 per cent of household heads were practicing agriculture, 5.88 per cent of the household heads were agricultural laborers and 2.94 per cent of the household’s heads were General Labour and trade and business.  The results indicate that agriculture was the major occupation for 16.41 per cent of the household members, 53.33 per cent were agricultural laborers, 0.51 per cent were in household industry and trade and business, 25 per cent were in private services and housewives, 22.56 per cent were housewives and 2.56 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 8.82 per cent of the households possess thatched and 91.18 per cent of the households possess katcha house.  The results show that 50 per cent of the households possess TV, 11.76 per cent of the households possess mixer/grinder, 5.88 per cent of the households possess bicycle and motor cycle, 2.94 per cent of the households possess Auto and 79.41 per cent of the households possess mobile phones.  The results show that the average value of television was Rs. 4,294, mixer/grinder was Rs. 1,000, bicycle was Rs. 1,000, motor cycle was Rs. 52,500, auto was Rs. 45,000 and mobile phone was Rs. 2,023.  About 11.76 per cent each of the households possess bullock cart, 32.35 per cent of the households possess plough, 2.94 per cent of the households possess seed/fertilizer drill and tractor, 32.35 per cent of the households possess sprayer, 8.82 per cent of the households possess sprinkler and 79.41 per cent of the households possess weeder.  The results show that the average value of bullock cart was Rs. 20,000, plough was Rs. 1,642, seed/ fertilizer drill was Rs. 3,500, tractor was Rs. 300,000, 2 sprayer was Rs. 2,309, Sprinkler was Rs. 5,000 and the average value of weeder was Rs. 93.  The results indicate that, 35.29 per cent of the households possess bullocks, 14.71 per cent of the households possess local cow, 2.94 per cent of the households possess buffalo and sheep and 20.59 per cent of the households possess Buffalo.  The results indicate that, average own labour men available in the micro watershed was 1.19, average own labour (women) available was 1.16, average hired labour (men) available was 5.68 and average hired labour (women) available was 6.42.  The results indicate that, 91.18 per cent of the households opined that the hired labour was inadequate.  The results indicate that, households of the Yargol-1 micro-watershed possess 26.3 ha (72.51%) of dry land and 9.87 ha (27.49%) of irrigated land.. Marginal farmers possess 6.26 ha (100 %) of dry land. Small farmers possess 19.77 ha (92.26%) of dry land and 1.66 ha (7.74%). Semi medium farmers possess 8.21 ha (100%) of irrigated land.  The results indicate that, the average value of dry land was Rs. 314,894.28 and the average value of irrigated land was Rs. 364,725.19. In case of marginal famers, the average land value was Rs. 510,924.37 for dry land. In case of small famers, the average land value was Rs. 252,814.74 for dry and the average value of irrigated land was Rs. 602,4394. In case of semi medium famers, the average land value was Rs. 316,666.67 for irrigated land.  The results indicate that, there were 8 de-functioning and functioning bore wells in the micro watershed.  The results indicate that, bore well was the major irrigation source in the micro water shed for 23.53 per cent of the farmers.  The results indicate that, the depth of bore well was found to be 19.45 meters.  The results indicate that, marginal, small and semi-medium farmers had an irrigated area of 1.75 ha, 3.1 ha and 4.71 ha respectively.  The results indicate that, farmers have grown red gram (20.18 ha), groundnut (7.28 ha), green gram (3.86 ha), cotton (2.97 ha) and sorghum (1.62 ha). Marginal farmers have grown red gram, groundnut and green gram. Small farmers have grown red gram, groundnut, green gram, cotton and sorghum. Semi medium farmers have grown red gram, groundnut and green gram.  The results indicate that, the cropping intensity in Yargol-1 micro-watershed was found to be 100 per cent.  The results indicate that, 79.41 per cent of the households have bank account and savings.  The results indicate that, 79.41 per cent of the households have availed credit from different sources. 3  The results indicate that, 3.70 per cent of the households have borrowed from cooperative bank and 14.81 per cent of the households have borrowed from grameena bank.  The results indicate that, the average credit amount borrowed by households in micro-watershed was Rs, 6,111.11. The results indicate that, 100 per cent of the households borrowed from institutional sources for the purpose of agricultural production.  The results indicated that 100 per cent of the households not repay their loan borrowed from institutional sources.  The results indicate that, 100 per cent opined that the loan amount borrowed from helped to perform timely agricultural operations.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for Cotton was Rs. 30295.29. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 67240.87. The net income from Cotton cultivation was Rs. 36945.58. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:2.22.  The total cost of cultivation for groundnut was Rs. 49564.37. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 106096.98. The net income from groundnut cultivation was Rs. 56532.62. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:2.14.  The total cost of cultivation for Red gram was Rs. 31555.90. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 463539. The net income from Red gram cultivation was Rs. 14797.19. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.47.  The total cost of cultivation for Sorghum was Rs. 174736. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 20995. The net income from Sorghum cultivation was Rs. 3521.94. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.2.  The total cost of cultivation for Green gram was Rs. 28554.72. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 47104.31. The net income from Green gram cultivation was Rs. 18549.59. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.65.  The results indicate that, 26.47 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was adequate and 14.71 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was adequate  The results indicate that the annual gross income was Rs. 33,333.33 for landless farmers, for marginal farmers it was Rs. 248,875, for small farmers it was Rs. 232,433.33, and semi medium farmers it was Rs. 437,664.  The results indicate that the average annual expenditure is Rs. 20,461.99. For landless households it was Rs. 2,777.78, for marginal farmers it was Rs. 33,833.33, for small farmers it was Rs. 18,044.95 and for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 27,540.  The results indicate that, households have planted 3 cocnut, 48 custard apple and 2 mango trees in their field. 4  The results indicate that, households have planted 5 teak, 47 neem, 16 tamarind and 1 pongamia and banyan trees in their field and also 2 neem trees in their backyard.  The results indicated that, households have an average investment capacity of Rs. 33,823.53 for land development; households have an average investment capacity of Rs. 8,823.53 for irrigation facility and households have an average investment capacity of Rs.588.24 for improved crop production.  The results indicated that government subsidy was the source of additional investment for 23.53 per cent for land development and 8.82 per cent for irrigation facility. Soft loan was the source of additional investment for 2.94 per cent for land development and improved crop production.  The results indicated that, cotton, sorghum and green gram was sold to the extent of 100 per cent, groundnut was sold to the extent of 96.11 per cent and red gram was sold to the extent of 90.33 per cent.  The results indicated that, about 23.53 per cent of the farmers sold their produce to local/village merchant and 55.88 per cent of the farmers sold their produce to regulated markets.  The results indicated that, 79.41 per cent of the households have used tractor as a mode of transportation.  The results indicated that, 79.41 per cent of the households have experienced soil and water erosion problems in the farm.  The results indicated that, 79.41 per cent have shown interest in soil test.  The results indicated that, 79.41 per cent of the households used firewood and 20.59 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 67.65 per cent of the households in the micro watershed and bore well was the source of drinking water for 32.35 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, 65.71 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, 97.6 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, oilseed and meat were adequate for 23.53 per cent, vegetables were adequate for 2.94 per cent, fruits were adequate for 20.59 per cent, milk and egg were adequate for 14.71 per cent and meat were adequate for 54.29 per cent. 5  The results indicated that, oilseeds and milk were inadequate for 76.47 per cent of the households, vegetables were inadequate for 94.12 per cent, fruits were inadequate for 79.41 per cent, egg were inadequate for 82.35 per cent and meat were inadequate for 73.53 per cent of the households.  The results indicated that, lower fertility status of the was the constraint experienced by 82.35 per cent of the households, wild animal menace on farm field (76.47%), frequent incidence of pest and diseases (55.88%), Inadequacy of irrigation water (32.35%), high cost of fertilizer and plant protection chemicals (26.47%), high rate of interest on credit (17.65%), low price for the agricultural commodities and lack of marketing facilities in the area (5.88%), inadequate extension service (14.71%), Lack of transport for safe transport of the Agril produce to the market (8.82%), less rainfall (41.18%) and Source of Agritechnology information(26.47%)