LAND RESOURCE INVENTORY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF FARM HOUSEHOLDS FOR WATERSHED PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT ALAWANDI-2 (4D4A2P1e) MICRO WATERSHED Alawandi Hobli, Koppal Taluk and District, Karnataka

Abstract

The land resource inventory of Alawandi-2microwatershed 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 443 ha in Koppaltaluk 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 about 87 per cent is covered by soils, 13 per cent by water bodies, settlements and others. The salient findings from the land resource inventory are summarized briefly below.  The soils belong to 9 soil series and 14 soil phases (management units) and 4 land use classes.  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 250 m grid interval.  Land suitability for growing 28 major agricultural and horticultural crops were assessed and maps showing the degree of suitability along with constraints were generated.  Entire area is suitable for agriculture.  About 4 per cent of the soils arevery shallow (<25 cm), 40 per centis moderately shallow (50-75 cm), 24per cent moderately deep (75- 100 cm) and 20 per cent has deep soils (100 -150 cm).  Entire area has clayey soils at the surface.  About 25per cent of the area has non-gravelly (<15%) soils, 52per cent has gravelly soils (15-35 % gravel) and 10 per cent has very gravelly (35- 60% gravel) soils.  With respect to available water capacity 9 per cent of the area has very low (<50mm/m), 47per cent of the area has low (51-100 mm/m), 19 per cent medium (101-150 mm/m) and 13 per cent area has very high (>200mm/m).  An area of about 11 per cent has nearly level (0-1%) lands and 76 per cent has very gently sloping (1-3%) lands.  An area of about 39 per cent is slightly eroded (e1) and 49 per cent is moderately eroded (e2) lands.  An area of about<1 per centhas neutral (pH 6.5 to 7.3)soils, 3 per cent slightly alkaline(pH 7.3 to 7.8), 7 per cent moderately alkaline (pH 7.8 to 8.4) ,56 per cent strongly alkaline (pH 8.4 to 9.0) and 21 per cent soils very strongly alkaline (pH>9.0).  The Electrical Conductivity (EC) of the soils are dominantly <2 dsm-1indicating that soils are non saline.  Organic carbon is low (<0.5%) in about 45 per cent,medium (0.5-0.75%) in 37 per cent and high (>0.75%) in 6 per cent area of the soils.  Available phosphorus is low (<23 kg/ha) in 69 per cent and medium (23-57 kg/ha) in 18 per cent of the soils.  Available potassium is medium (145-337 kg/ha) in <1per cent and high (>337 kg/ha) in 87 per cent of the soils.  Available sulphur is medium (10-20 ppm) in 15per cent and high (>20 ppm) in 72 per cent area of the soils.  Available boron is low (<0.5 ppm) in about 5 per cent andmedium (0.5-1.0 ppm) in 82per cent area of the soils.  Available iron is deficient in 65 per cent of the area and sufficient (>4.5 ppm) in 22per cent of the area.  Available zinc is deficient (<0.6 ppm) in86 per cent of the area and sufficient (>0.6 ppm) in 1 per cent of the area.  Available manganese and copper are sufficient in the entire area.  The land suitability for 28 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 42 (9) 276(62) Pomegranate - 140(32) Maize - - Guava - - Bajra - - Jackfruit - - Redgram - 98 (22) Jamun - 57(13) Bengal gram 60(14) 256 (58) Musambi 21 (5) 120 (27) Groundnut - 32 (7) Lime 21 (5) 120 (27) Sunflower 21 (5) 120 (27) Cashew - 21(5) Cotton 60 (14) 239(54) Custard apple 60(14) 310(70) Chilli - - Amla - 371 (83) Tomato - - Tamarind 57(13) Drumstick - 173 (39) Marigold - 318(71) Mulbery - 194(44) Chrysanthemum - 318(71) Mango - 17(4) Jasmine - 177(40) Sapota - - Crossandra - 44(10) Apart from the individual crop suitability, a proposed crop plan has been prepared for the 4identified LUCs 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 to 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 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 92 (53.80%) men and 78 (45.61%) women among the sampled households.  The average family size of landless farmers’ was 4.6, marginal farmers’ was 5.6, small farmers’ was 5.11, semi medium farmers’ was 4.55 and medium farmers’ was 6.  The data indicated that, 24 (14.04%) people were in 0-15 years of age, 74 (43.27%) were in 16-35 years of age, 51 (29.82%) were in 36-60 years of age and 22 (12.87%) were above 61 years of age.  The results indicated that Alawandi-2 had 13.45 per cent illiterates, 22.22 per cent of them had primary school education, 6.43 per cent of them had middle school education, 22.22 per cent of them had high school education, 12.28 per cent of them had PUC education, 3.51 per cent had diploma, 2.34 per cent of them did ITI, 11.70 per cent of them had degree education and 1.17 per cent of the population did masters.  The results indicate that, 76.47 per cent of households were practicing agriculture, 14.71 per cent of the households were agricultural labourers, 2.94 per cent were general labour and 2.94 per cent of them were in trade and business.  The results indicate that agriculture was the major occupation for 56.14 per cent of the household members, 14.04 per cent were agricultural laborers, 3.51 per cent were general labourers, 3.51 per cent were in private service, 1.75 per cent were into trade and business, 14.62 per cent were students, 1.75 per cent were housewives and 4.09 per cent were children.  The results show that 99.42 per cent of the population in the micro watershed has not participated in any local institutions; only 0.58 per cent participated in cooperative bank.  The results indicate that 8.82 per cent of the households possess thatched house, 79.41 per cent of the households possess Katcha house and 17.65 per cent of them possess pucca house.  The results show that 94.12 per cent of the households possess TV, 67.65 per cent of the households possess Mixer grinder, 2.94 per cent of the households possess refrigerator, 11.76 per cent of the households possess bicycle, 58.82 per cent of the households possess motor cycle, 2.94 per cent of the households possess car/four wheeler and 91.18 per cent of the households possess mobile phones.  The results show that the average value of television was Rs.3484, mixer grinder was Rs.1539, refrigerator was Rs.12000, bicycle was Rs. 1250, motor cycle was Rs.27700, car/four wheeler was Rs.200000 and mobile phone was Rs.1362. 2  About 2.94 per cent of the households possess bullock cart, 20.59 per cent of them possess plough, 11.76 per cent of the households possess tractor, 8.82 per cent of them possess sprayer, 2.94 per cent possess sprinkler, thresher and maize huller, 61.76 per cent of them possess weeder and 47.06 per cent of them possess chaff cutter.  The results show that the average value of bullock cart was Rs.25000, plough was Rs.550, the average value of tractor was Rs.287500, the average value of sprayer was Rs.1750, the average value of sprinkler was Rs.200, the average value of thresher and maize huller was Rs.500, the average value of chaff cutter was Rs.486 and the average value of weeder was Rs.22.  The results indicate that, 14.71 per cent of the households possess bullocks, 20.59 per cent of the households possess local cow, 11.76 per cent of the households possess crossbred cow, 5.88 per cent of them possess buffalo, 2.94 per cent of them possess sheep and another 2.94 per cent possess poultry birds.  The results indicate that, average own labour men available in the micro watershed was 1.76, average own labour (women) available was 1.48, average hired labour (men) available was 6.41 and average hired labour (women) available was 6.34.  The results indicate that, 76.47 per cent of the households opined that the hired labour was adequate and 11.76 per cent of the households opined that hired labour was inadequate.  The results indicate that, households of the Alawandi-2 micro-watershed possess 43.86 ha (79.94%) of dry land and 11.01 ha (20.06%) of irrigated land. Marginal farmers possess 4.05 ha (100%) of dry land. Small farmers possess 10.95 ha (93.12%) of dry land and 0.81 ha (6.88%) of irrigated land. Semi medium farmers possess 20.36 ha (81.39%) of dry land and 4.65 ha (18.61%) of irrigated land. Medium farmers possess 8.50 ha (60.52%) of dry land and 5.54 ha (39.48%) of irrigated land.  The results indicate that, the average value of dry land was Rs. 193,734.43 and average value of irrigated land was Rs. 363,235.30. In case of marginal famers, the average land value was Rs. 395,200 for dry land. In case of small famers, the average land value was Rs. 255,580.19 for dry land and Rs. 741,000 for irrigated land. In case of semi medium famers, the average land value was Rs. 157,105.94 for dry land and Rs. 429,565.22 for irrigated land. In case of medium famers, the average land value was Rs. 105,857.14 for dry land and Rs. 363,235.30 for irrigated land.  The results indicate that, there were 5 functioning and 1 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 14.71 per cent of the farmers. 3  The results indicate that, the depth of bore well was found to be 11.47 meters.  The results indicate that, small, semi medium and medium farmers had irrigated area of 0.81 ha, 3.30 ha and 5.26 ha respectively.  The results indicate that, farmers have grown maize (12.72 ha), bajra (5.67 ha), groundnut (0.81 ha), sunflower (8.64 ha), redgram (5.72 ha), bengal gram (8.50 ha), horsegram (0.81 ha), sorghum (10.08 ha), onion (1.34 ha), pomegranate (0.40 ha) and sugarcane (1.62 ha).  Marginal farmers have grown bajra, bengal gram, groundnut, sorghum, maize. Small farmers have grown bengal gram, maize, sorghum, pomegranate and sunflower. Semi medium farmers have grown bajra, bengal gram, sorghum, horsegram, onion, redgram, sugarcane, sunflower and maize. Medium farmers have grown bajra, bengal gram, maize, redgram, sunflower and sorghum.  The cropping intensity in Alawandi-2 micro-watershed was found to be 77.67 per cent. In case of marginal farmers it was 76.92 per cent, small farmers it was 72.17 per cent, in case of semi medium farmers it was 90.43 and medium farmers it was 67.55 per cent.  The results indicate that, 79.41 per cent of the households have bank account.  The results indicate that, 20.59 per cent of the households have availed credit from different sources.  The results indicate that, 11.11 per cent of the households availed loan from loan from grameena bank and another 11.11 per cent of the households obtained loan from SHGs/CBOs.  The results indicate that, semi medium farmer has availed an average credit of Rs.20000.  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, the main purpose of borrowing credit from private sources was also agricultural production.  The results indicated that 100 per cent of the households did not repay their loan borrowed from institutional sources.  Results indicated that 100 per cent of the households did not repay their loan borrowed from private sources.  The results indicate that, around 100 per cent opined that the loan amount borrowed from institutional sources helped to perform timely agricultural operations.  The results indicate that, around 100 per cent of the households opined that the credit borrowed from private sir helped to perform timely agricultural operations.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for groundnut was Rs. 51103.90. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 55575. The net 4 income from Groundnut cultivation was Rs. 4471.10, thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.09.  The total cost of cultivation for sunflower was Rs. 19321.48. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 169000.64. The net income from sunflower cultivation was Rs. 149679.15. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:8.75.  The total cost of cultivation for redgram was Rs. 12833.35. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 42567.33. The net income from redgram cultivation was Rs. 29733.97. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:3.32.  The total cost of cultivation for maize was Rs. 23441.69. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 34783.96. The net income from maize cultivation was Rs. 11342.27. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.48.  The total cost of cultivation for bajra was Rs. 19998.19. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 26282.34. The net income from bajra cultivation was Rs. 6284.16. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.31.  The total cost of cultivation for Bengal gram was Rs. 42018.22. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 36869.90. The net income from Bengal gram cultivation was Rs. -5148.32. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.88.  The total cost of cultivation for Sugarcane was Rs. 33737.49. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 185250. The net income from Sugarcane cultivation was Rs. 151512.51. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:5.49.  The total cost of cultivation for Sorghum was Rs. 26475.83. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 19412.93. The net income from Sorghum cultivation was Rs. -7062.90. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.73.  The total cost of cultivation for pomgranate was Rs. 202081.25. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 889200. The net income from pomgranate cultivation was Rs. 687118.75. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:4.4.  The total cost of cultivation for onion was Rs. 28864.93. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 89818.18. The net income from onion cultivation was Rs. 60953.25. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:3.11.  The total cost of cultivation for horsegram was Rs. 28605.69. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 24700. The net income from horsegram cultivation was Rs. -3905.69. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.86.  The results indicate that, 20.59 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was adequate and 2.94 per cent opined that it was inadequate. The results also indicated that 5.88 per cent of the households opined that green fodder is adequate.  The results indicate that the average annual gross income was Rs. 79,000 for landless farmers, for marginal farmers it was Rs. 62910, for small farmers it was Rs. 239022.22, for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 150054.55 and for medium farmers it was Rs. 182750. 5  The results indicate that the average annual expenditure is Rs. 10,248.63. For landless households it was Rs. 400, for marginal farmers it was Rs. 6300, for small farmers it was Rs. 16645.50, for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 6490.36 and for medium farmers it was Rs. 23437.50.  The results indicate that, sampled households have grown 76 coconut and 11 mango tree in their fields. They have also planted 5 coconut trees and 4 mango trees in their backyard.  The results indicate that, households have planted 38 neem trees, 2 banyan trees, 1 eucalyptus, 1 cashew, and 1 peepul tree in their fields and 2 neem trees in their backyard.  The results indicated that, all crops were sold to the extent of 100 per cent except bajra (76.92%) and Sorghum (98.08%).  The results indicated that, about 17.65 per cent of the famers have sold their produce in regulated markets, 8.82 per cent of the farmers have sold in cooperative marketing society, 2.94 per cent have sold their produce through cooperative marketing arrangement and 82.35 per cent have sold their produce to local/village merchants.  The results indicated that, 88.24 per cent of the households have used tractor as a mode of transportation for their agricultural produce, 17.65 per cent have used cart and 5.88 per cent have used truck as a mode of transportation.  The results indicated that, 67.65 per cent of the households have experienced soil and water erosion problems in the farm i.e., 80 per cent of the marginal farmers, 88.89 per cent of the small farmers, 81.82 per cent of semi medium and 50 per cent of medium farmers have experienced soil and water erosion problems.  The results indicated that, 70.59 per cent have shown interest in soil test which accounts for 100 per cent of marginal farmers, 88.89 per cent small farmers, 72.73 per cent of semi medium farmers and 75 per cent of the medium farmers.  The results indicated that, 64.71 per cent of the households used firewood and 38.24 per cent used LPG as a source of fuel.  The results indicated that, bore well was the major source of drinking water for 11.76 per cent of the households and piped supply was the source of drinking water for 88.24 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, 44.12 per cent of the households possess sanitary toilet i.e. 20 per cent of the landless, 40 per cent of the marginal, 100 per cent of the small, 9.09 per cent of the semi medium and 50 per cent of the medium farmers.  The results indicated that, 94.12 per cent of the sampled households possessed BPL card, 2.94 per cent of the households possessed APL card and 2.94 per cent of the households did not possess PDS card. 6  The results indicated that, 29.41 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 85.29 per cent, oilseeds were adequate for 44.12 per cent, vegetables were adequate for 52.94 per cent, fruits were adequate for 17.65 per cent, milk was adequate for 67.65 per cent, eggs were adequate for 41.18 per cent and meat was adequate for 38.24 per cent.  The results indicated that, pulses were inadequate for 14.71 per cent of the households, oilseeds were inadequate for 41.18 per cent, vegetables were inadequate for 41.18 per cent, fruits were inadequate for 67.65 per cent, milk was inadequate for 32.35 per cent, eggs were inadequate for 52.94 per cent of the households and meat was inadequate for 50 per cent of the households.  The results indicated that, oilseeds were market surplus for 11.76 per cent, vegetables were market surplus for 8.82 per cent and fruits were market surplus for 2.94 per cent of the households.  The results indicated that, lower fertility status of the soil was the constraint experienced by 70.59 per cent of the households, wild animal menace on farm field (76.47%), frequent incidence of pest and diseases (79.41%), inadequacy of irrigation water (38.24%), high cost of fertilizers and plant protection chemicals (58.82%), high rate of interest on credit (26.47%), low price for the agricultural commodities (58.82%), lack of marketing facilities in the area (58.82%), lack of transport for safe transport of the agricultural produce to the market (79.41%), inadequate extension services (23.53%), less rainfall (14.71%) and source of agri technology information (11.76%).