LAND RESOURCE INVENTORY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF FARM HOUSEHOLDS FOR WATERSHED PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT MADDINAHUNDI (4B3E2E2g) MICRO WATERSHED Gundlupet Taluk, Chamarajanagara District, Karnataka

Abstract

The land resource inventory of Maddinahundi 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 and use potentials of the soils in the microwatershed. The present study covers an area of 450 ha in Gundlupet taluk of Chamarajanagar district, Karnataka. The climate is semiarid and categorized as drought-prone with an average annual rainfall of 734 mm, of which about 254 mm is received during south–west monsoon, 268 mm during the north-east and the remaining 212 mm during the rest of the year. An area of about 74 per cent is covered by soils, 21 per cent by forest and 5 per cent by others. The salient findings from the land resource inventory are summarized briefly below.  The soils belong to 10 soil series and 17 soil phases (management units) and 7 land management units.  The length of crop growing period is about 150 days starting from the 3rd week of June to 3rd 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 major agricultural and horticultural crops were assessed and maps showing the degree of suitability along with constraints were generated.  About 74 per cent area is suitable for agriculture.  About 20 per cent of soils are shallow (25-50 cm), 6 per cent are moderately shallow (50-75 cm), 13 per cent of the soils are moderately deep (75-100 cm), 7 per cent of the soils are deep (100-150 cm) and 29 per cent are very deep (>150 cm).  About 29 per cent of the area has clayey soils at the surface, 42 per cent area has loamy soil and 3 per cent area sandy soils.  About 37 per cent of the area has non-gravelly soils and 37 per cent gravelly (15-35 % gravel) soils.  About 27 per cent has soils that are very low (<50 mm/m), 18 per cent are low (51- 100 mm/m) in available water capacity and an area of 29 per cent has very high (>200 mm/m) available water capacity.  Entire area of about 74 per cent has very gently sloping (1-3% slope) lands.  An area of about 45 per cent has soils that are slightly eroded (e1) and 29 per cent soils are moderately eroded (e2).  An area of about 2 ha (<1%) is strongly acid (pH 5.0-5.5), 45 ha (10%) is moderately acid (pH 5.5-6.0), 59 ha (13%) is slightly acid (pH 6.0-6.5) and 13 per cent has soils that are neutral (pH 6.5-7.3). An area of about 15 per cent has soils hat are slightly alkaline (pH 7.3 to 7.8), 17 per cent has soils that moderately alkaline (pH 7.85 to 8.4) and 6 per cent has strongly alkaline (pH 8.4-9.0).  The Electrical Conductivity (EC) of the soils are <2 dsm-1indicating that the soils are non-saline.  About 12 per cent of the soils are low (>0.5%), 53 per cent of the soils are medium (0.5-0.75%) and 10 per cent soils that are high (>0.75%) in organic carbon.  About 54 per cent of the soils are medium (23-57 kg/ha) and 20 per cent are high (>57 kg/ha) in available phosphorus.  About 11 per cent of the soils are low (<145 kg/ha), 23 per cent are medium (145- 337 kg/ha) and 40 per cent are high (>337 kg/ha) in available potassium.  About 20 per cent of the soils are low in available sulphur, 48 per cent are medium (10-20 ppm) and 6 per cent are high (>20 ppm) in available sulphur.  Available boron is low (<0.5 ppm) in about 10 per cent, medium (0.5-1.0 ppm) in 41 per cent and 23 per cent area are high (>1.0 kg/ha).  Available iron is sufficient (>4.5 ppm) in 70 per cent area and deficient (<4.5 ppm) in 4 per cent.  Available manganese and copper are sufficient in the entire area of the microwatershed.  Available zinc is deficient (<0.6 ppm) in 38 per cent and sufficient (>0.6 ppm) in 36 per cent.  The land suitability for 27 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, 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 98 (22) 100 (22) Sapota 90 (20) 57 (13) Maize 133 (30) 26 (6) Guava 109 (24) 38 (8) Redgram 133 (30) 87 (19) Banana 90 (20) 82 (18) Horsegram 133 (30) 113 (25) Jackfruit 90 (20) 33 (7) Field bean 90 (20) 108 (24) Jamun 90 (20) 72 (16) Groundnut 43 (10) 150 (33) Musambi 129 (29) 33 (7) Sunflower 16 (4) 156 (35) Lime 129 (29) 33 (7) Cotton 54 (12) 69 (15) Cashew 90 (20) 57 (13) Onion 90 (20) 108 (24) Custard apple 109 (24) 137 (30) Potato 90 (20) 69 (15) Amla 109 (24) 137 (30) French Beans 90 (20) 108 (24) Tamarind 90 (20) 33 (7) Beetroot 90 (20) 69 (15) Marigold 133 (30) 99 (22) Turmeric 90 (20) 69 (15) Chrysanthemum 90 (20) 108 (24) Mango 90 (20) 33 (7) Apart from the individual crop suitability, a proposed crop plan has been prepared for the 7 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 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 and also in the hillocks, mounds and ridges. Baseline socioeconomic characterisation is prerequisite to prepare action plan for program implementation and to assess the project performance before making any changes in the watershed development program. The baseline provides appropriate policy direction for enhancing productivity and sustainability in agriculture. Methodology: Maddinahundi micro-watershed (Gopalapur sub-watershed, Gundlupet taluk and Chamarajanagar district) is located in between 11045’ – 11047’ North latitudes and 76034’ – 76036’ East longitudes, covering an area of about 450 ha, bounded by Channamallipur, Hongahalli, Kannagal and Gopalapur villages with length of growing period (LGP) 120-150 days. We used soil resource map as basis for sampling farm households to test the hypothesis that soil quality influence crop selection, and conservation investment of farm households. The level of technology adoption and productivity gaps and livelihood patterns were analyses. The cost of soil degradation and eco system services were quantified. Results: The socio-economic outputs for the Maddinahundi micro-watershed (Gopalapur sub-watershed, Gundlupet taluk and Chamarajanagar district) are presented here. Social Indicators;  Male and female ratio is 48.8 to 51.2 per cent to the total sample population.  Younger age 18 to 50 years group of population is around 68.4 per cent to the total population.  Literacy population is around 87.8 per cent.  Social groups belong to other backward caste (OBC) is around 40 per cent.  Liquefied petroleum gas is the source of energy for a cooking among all sample households.  About 90 per cent of households have a yashaswini health card.  Dependence on ration cards for food grains through public distribution system is around 60 per cent.  Swach bharath program providing closed toilet facilities among the sample households.  Institutional participation is only 2.4 per cent of sample households.  Women participation in decisions making are around 30 per cent of households. Economic Indicators;  The average land holding is 2.3 ha indicates that majority of farm households are belong to small and medium farmers. The dry land account for 23.8 per cent and irrigated land 76.2 per cent of total cultivated land area among the sample farmers. 2  Agriculture is the main occupation among 9.8 per cent and agriculture is the main and non agriculture labour is subsidiary occupation for 65.9 per cent of sample households.  The average value of domestic assets is around Rs. 89440 per household. Mobile and television are popular media mass communication.  The average value of farm assets is around Rs. 46600 per household, about 70.0 per cent of sample farmers own plough.  The average value of livestock is around Rs. 25876 per household; about 80 per cent of household are having livestock.  The average per capita food consumption is around 592 grams (1412.1 kilo calories) against national institute of nutrition (NIN) recommendation at 827 gram. Among all sample households are consuming less than the NIN recommendation.  The annual average income is around Rs. 83953 per household. Among all sample farm households are below poverty line.  The per capita average monthly expenditure is around Rs.1360. Environmental Indicators-Ecosystem Services;  The value of ecosystem service helps to support investment to decision on soil and water conservation and in promoting sustainable land use.  The onsite cost of different soil nutrients lost due to soil erosion is around Rs.658 per ha/year. The total cost of annual soil nutrients is around Rs. 219693 per year for the total area of 449.9 ha.  The average value of ecosystem service for food grain production is around Rs. 33300/ ha/year. Per hectare food grain production services is maximum in turmeric (Rs. 116243) followed by banana (Rs. 74635), maize (Rs. 33407), watermelon (Rs. 17425), cowpea (Rs. 9176), horse gram (Rs. 8258), sunflower (Rs. 6503) and sorghum (Rs. 753).  The average value of ecosystem service for fodder production is around Rs. 2269/ ha/year. Per hectare fodder production services is maximum in horse gram (Rs. 2912) followed by cowpea (Rs. 2435), sorghum (Rs. 2175) and maize (Rs. 1554).  The data on water requirement for producing one quintal of grain is considered for estimating the total value of water required for crop production. The per hectare value of water used and value of water was maximum in bengal gram (Rs. 60694) followed by cotton (Rs. 59710), sorghum (Rs. 53817), bajra (Rs. 52810), sunflower (Rs. 37915), green gram (Rs. 35038), maize (Rs. 20463) and wheat (Rs. 19072). 3 Economic Land Evaluation;  The major cropping pattern is sunflower (17.8 %), followed by maize (18.2 %), sorghum (12.9 %), banana (9.6 %), turmeric (9.6 %), safflower (4.8 %), watermelon (3.3 %), horse gram (15.4 %) and cowpea (8.3 %).  In Maddinahundi micro-watershed, major soil is Berambadi (BMD) series is having shallow soil depth covered around 12.9 % of area. On this soil farmers are presently growing maize (50 %) sunflower (50 %). Hindupur (HDR) are also having shallow soil depth cover 6.8 % of area, the crops are cowpea (13.2 %), horse gram (37.3 %), maize (13.5 %), sorghum (12.1 %) and sunflower (23.8 %). Gopalapura (GPR) soil series having deep soil depth cover around 5.4 % of areas, crops are horse gram (50.0 %) and sorghum (50.0 %). Kallipura (KLP) soil series having moderately shallow soil depth cover around 4.2 % of area, crops are horse gram (50 %), sorghum (25 %) and sunflower (25%). Maddinahundi (MDH) soil series are having moderately deep soil depth cover around 3.1 % of area, respectively. The major crops grown are banana (50 %) and turmeric (50 %). Beemanabeedu (BMB) soil series are having very shallow soil depth covers around 8.6 % of area, the major crop grown is banana (18.2 %), turmeric (30.6 %), maize (27.3 %) and sunflower (27.4 %). Honnegaudanahalli (HGH) soil series having very deep soil depth cover 16.5 % of areas: crops are cowpea (32.9 %), sorghum (32.9 %) and watermelon (34.2 %).  The total cost of cultivation and benefit cost ratio (BCR) in study area for banana ranges between Rs. 101553/ha in BMB soil (with BCR of 2.19) and Rs. 88801/ha in MDH soil (with BCR of 1.32).  In horse gram the cost of cultivation range between Rs. 28458/ha in BMB soil (with of 1.35) and Rs. 12329/ha in KLP soil (with BCR of 1.73).  In sorghum the cost of cultivation range between is Rs. 24941/ha in KLP soil (with BCR of 1.29) and Rs. 38153 in HDR soil (with BCR of 1.09).  In maize the cost of cultivation range between is Rs. 23511/ha in BMB soil (with BCR of 1.80) and Rs. 37755/ha in BMD soil (with BCR of 2.84).  In sunflower the cost of cultivation in KLP soil is Rs. 23725/ha (with BCR of 1.09) and Rs. 24907/ha in HDR soil (with BCR of 1.12).  In turmeric the cost of cultivation in KLP soil is Rs. 112614/ha (with BCR of 1.32) and cowpea the cost cultivation in HDR soil is Rs. 29157/ha (with BCR of 1.41).  The land management practices reported by the farmers are crop rotation, tillage practices, fertilizer application and use of farm yard manure (FYM). Due to higher wages farmer are following labour saving strategies is not prating soil and water conservation measures. Less ownership of livestock limiting application of FYM. 4  It was observed soil quality influences on the type and intensity of land use. More fertilizer applications on deeper soils to maximize returns. Suggestions;  Involving farmers is watershed planning helps in strengthing institutional participation.  The per capita food consumption and monthly income is very low. Diversifying income generation activities from crop and livestock production in order to reduce risk related to drought and market prices.  Majority of farmers reported that they are not getting timely support/extension services from the concerned development departments.  By strengthing agricultural extension for providing timely advice improved technology there is scope to increase in net income of farm households.  By adopting recommended package of practices by following the soil test fertiliser recommendation, there is scope to increase yield in banana (68.4 %), sorghum (38.2 to 52.9 %), cowpea (34.7 %), sunflower (46.9 to 59.3 %), horse gram (9.6 to 36.7 %) and maize (44.4 to 73.9 %).