LAND RESOURCE INVENTORY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF FARM HOUSEHOLDS FOR WATERSHED PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT YADGIR NALA-2 (4D5B1E1b) MICROWATERSHED Hatthakuni Hobli, Yadgir Taluk and District, Karnataka

Abstract

The land resource inventory of Yadgir Nala-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 593 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 485 ha in the microwatershed is covered by soils, 102 ha by rock outcrops and 7 ha by others (habitation and water body). The salient findings from the land resource inventory are summarized briefly below.  The soils belong to 12 soil series and 15 soil phases (management units) and 4 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 485 ha area in the microwatershed is suitable for agriculture.  About 24 per cent area is shallow (25-50 cm), 7 per cent area is moderately shallow (50-75 cm), 11 per cent area is moderately deep (75-100 cm), 24 per cent area is deep (100-150 cm) and 16 per cent area is very deep (>150 cm) in the microwatershed.  About 42 per cent area in the microwatershed has sandy soils, 18 per cent loamy soils and 23 per cent clayey soils at the surface.  About 70 per cent area in the microwatershed is gravelly (15-35%) and 12 per cent is non gravelly (<15%).  About 24 per cent is very low (<50 mm/m) in available water capacity, 7 per cent is low (51-100 mm/m), 41 per cent is medium (101-150 mm/m) and 10 per cent is very high (>200 mm/m).  About 67 per cent area in the microwatershed has very gently sloping (1-3% slope), 8 per cent has nearly level (0-1%) lands and 6 per cent has gently sloping (3-5%) lands.  An area of about 8 per cent is slightly eroded (e1), 67 per cent is moderately (e2) eroded and 6 per cent is severely eroded (e3)  An area of about 74 per cent is slightly alkaline (pH 7.3-7.8) in soil reaction and 8 per cent area is neutral (pH 6.5-7.3).  The Electrical Conductivity (EC) of the entire soils of the microwatershed is dominantly <2 dsm-1indicating that the soils are non-saline.  Available organic carbon content is medium (0.5-0.75%) in the entire microwatershed area.  An area of about 79 per cent is medium (23-57 kg/ha) in available phosphorus, 2 per cent area is low (<23 kg/ha) and <1 per cent area is high (>57 kg/ha) in the microwatershed.  Available potassium content is medium (145-337 kg/ha) in an area of about 73 per cent and 9 per cent area is high (>337 kg/ha) in the microwatershed.  Available sulphur is medium (10-20 ppm) in an area of 49 per cent and low in an area of 32 per cent of the microwatershed.  Available boron is low (<0.5 ppm) in an area of about 81 per cent and medium (0.5-1.0 ppm) in <1 per cent area of the microwatershed.  Available iron is sufficient (>4.5 ppm) in an area of 78 per cent and deficient in an area of 3 per cent of the microwatershed.  Available manganese and copper are sufficient in all the cultivated soils of the microwatershed.  Available zinc is deficient (<0.6 ppm) in the 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 141 (24) 136 (23) Guava 43 (7) 2 (<1) Maize - 277 (47) Sapota 43 (7) 2 (<1) Bajra 43 (7) 234 (39) Pomegranate 43 (7) 193 (33) Groundnut 43 (7) 2(<1) Musambi 234 (39) 2 (<1) Sunflower 141 (24) 95 (16) Lime 234 (39) 2 (<1) Redgram - 236 (40) Amla 43 (7) 234 (39) Bengal gram 191 (32) 86 (14) Cashew 43 (7) - Cotton 141 (24) 136 (23) Jackfruit 43 (7) 2 (<1) Chilli - 277 (47) Jamun 43 (7) 191 (32) Tomato - 144 (24) Custard apple 236 (40) 41 (7) Brinjal 45 (8) 232 (39) Tamarind 43 (7) 191 (32) Onion 43 (7) 99 (16) Mulberry 43 (7) 2 (<1) Bhendi 95 (16) 182 (31) Marigold - 277 (47) Drumstick 43 (7) 193 (33) Chrysanthemum - 277 (47) Mango 43 (7) 2 (<1)  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 114 (57.29%) men and 85 (42.71%) women among the sampled households.  The average family size of landless farmers’ was 4.8, marginal farmers’ was 5, small farmers’ was 7.3, semi medium farmers’ was 5.6, medium farmers was 7 and large farmers was 4.  The data indicated that, 27 (13.57%) people were in 0-15 years of age, 99 (49.75%) were in 16-35 years of age, 59 (29.65%) were in 36-60 years of age and 14 (7.04%) were above 61 years of age.  The results indicated that Yadgiri Nala-2 had 47.44 per cent illiterates, 21.79 per cent of them had primary school, 2.56 per cent of them had Middle school and PUC education, 12.82 per cent of them had high school, 1.92 per cent of them had ITI and masters, 5.77 per cent of them had degree education.  The results indicate that, 85.71 per cent of household heads were practicing agriculture, 8.57 per cent of the household heads were agricultural labourers and 2.86 cent of the household heads were government service.  The results indicate that agriculture was the major occupation for 62.31 per cent of the household members, 6.03 per cent were agricultural labourers, 5.53 per cent were in general labour, 0.5 per cent were household industry, 2.51 per cent were private service, 13.57 per cent student, 8.04 per cent were housewives and 1.51per 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 5.56 per cent of the households possess thatched, 55.56 per cent of the households possess katcha house and 38.89 per cent of the households possess pucca/RCC house.  The results show that 91.67 per cent of the households possess TV, 38.89 per cent of the households possess mixer/grinder, 25 per cent of the households possess motor cycle, 5.56 per cent of the households posses auto and 91.67 per cent of the households possess mobile phones.  The results show that the average value of television was Rs. 6,393, mixer/grinder was Rs. 1,642, motor cycle was Rs. 56,333, auto was Rs. 160,000 and mobile phone was Rs. 2,474.  About 8.33 per cent each of the households possess bullock cart, plough and harvester, 5.56 per cent each of the households possess tractor, 2.78 per cent of the households possess harvester and thresher, and 88.89 per cent of the households possess weeder. 2  The results show that the average value of bullock cart was Rs. 15,500, plough was Rs. 3,666, tractor was Rs.760,000, sprayer was Rs. 2,000, weeder was Rs. 2,777, harvester Rs. 1,050 and the average value of thresher was Rs. 30,000.  The results indicate that, 25 per cent of the households possess bullocks, 8.33 per cent of the households possess local cow and goat, 2.78 per cent of the households possess buffalo and 11.11 per cent of the households possess sheep.  The results indicate that, average own labour men available in the micro watershed was 2.45, average own labour (women) available was 1.90, average hired labour (men) available was 8.62 and average hired labour (women) available was 9.  The results indicate that, 80.57 per cent of the households opined that the hired labour was adequate.  The results indicate that, households of the Yadgiri Nala-2 micro-watershed possess 25.97 ha (63.83%) of dry land, 14.31 ha (35.18%) of irrigated land and 0.4 ha (0.99%) of permanent fallow land. Marginal farmers possess 8.11 ha (85.09%) of dry land, 1.02 ha (10.66%) of irrigated land and 0.40 ha (4.25%) of permanent fallow land. Small farmers possess 6.50 ha (78.22%) of dry land and 1.81 ha (21.78%) of irrigated land. Semi medium farmers possess 7.28 ha (74.84%) of dry land and 2.45 ha (25.16%) of irrigated land. Medium farmers possess 4.09 ha (55.8%) of dry land and 3.24 ha (44.20%) of irrigated land. Large farmers possess 5.8 ha (100%) of irrigated land.  The results indicate that, the average value of dry land was Rs. 554,191.33, the average value of irrigated land was Rs. 516,765.62 and the average value of permanent fallow land was Rs. 494,000. In case of marginal famers, the average land value was Rs. 826,210.68 for dry land, the average land value was Rs. 2,066,533.8 and the average land value was Rs. 494,000. In case of small famers, the average land value was Rs. 723,302.1 for dry land and the average land value was Rs. 828,859.0 for irrigated land. In case of semi medium famers, the average land value was Rs. 301,888.8 for dry land and the average land value was Rs. 816,528.9 for irrigated land. In case of medium famers, the average land value was Rs. 195,643.56 for dry land and the average land value was Rs. 247,000 for irrigated land. In case of large famers, the average land value was Rs. 172,245.4 for irrigated land.  The results indicate that, there were 5 functioning bore wells in the micro watershed. The results indicate that, bore well was the major irrigation source in the micro water shed for 13.89 per cent of the farmers.  The results indicate that, the depth of bore well was found to be 9.82 meters.  The results indicate that, marginal, small, semi medium, medium and large farmers had an irrigated area of 0.45 ha, 0.89 ha, 1.21 ha, 3.24 ha and 5.81 ha respectively.  The results indicate that, farmers have grown cotton (1.74%), green gram (8.25 ha), groundnut (12.06 ha), red gram (14.25 ha), sorghum (9.51 ha) and tomato (0.49 ha). 3 Marginal farmers have grown cotton, green gram, groundnut, red gram, sorghum and tomato. Small farmers have grown green gram, groundnut and red gram. Semi medium farmers have grown green gram, groundnut, red gram and sorghum. Medium farmers have grown groundnut and red gram. Large farmers have grown groundnut. The results indicate that, the cropping intensity in Yadgiri Nala-2 microwatershed was found to be 99.96 per cent.  The results indicate that, 58.33 per cent of the households have bank account and 2.78 per cent of the households have savings.  The results indicate that, 61.11 per cent of the households have availed credit from different sources.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for Cotton was Rs. 23101.47. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 41501.74. The net income from Cotton cultivation was Rs. 18400.27. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.8.  The total cost of cultivation for green gram was Rs. 43519.68. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 69871.90. The net income from green gram cultivation was Rs. 26352.22. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.61.  The total cost of cultivation for Red gram was Rs. 24912.90. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 65203.22. The net income from Red gram cultivation was Rs. 40290.31. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:2.62.  The total cost of cultivation for groundnut was Rs. 23304.27. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 42878.37. The net income from groundnut cultivation was Rs. 19574.09. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.84.  The total cost of cultivation for sorghum was Rs. 1:2.62. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 72225. The net income from sorghum cultivation was Rs. 53724.01. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:3.9.  The total cost of cultivation for tomato was Rs. 46592.97. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 246999.99. The net income from tomato cultivation was Rs. 200407.02. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:5.3.  The results indicate that, 27.78 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was adequate.  The results indicate that the annual gross income was Rs. 112,580, for marginal farmers, for small farmers it was Rs. 162,216.67, semi medium farmers it was Rs. 151,600, for medium farmers it was Rs. 151,600 and large farmers it was Rs. 89,000. The results indicate that the average annual expenditure is Rs. 20,669.76. For marginal farmers it was Rs. 9,969.66, for small farmers it was Rs. 13,011.11, for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 17,500, for medium farmers it was Rs. 160,000 and for large farmers it was Rs.109,000.  The results indicate that, households have planted 76 neem, 22 tamarind, 1 pongamia and 2 banyan trees in their field and also 3 neem trees in their backyard. 4  The results indicated that, households have an average investment capacity of Rs. 7,972.22 for land development, households have an average investment capacity of Rs. 1,750 for irrigation facility, households have an average investment capacity of Rs. 3,972.22 for improved crop production and households have an average investment capacity of Rs. 1,805.56 for orchard development/ maintenance.  The results indicated that loan from bank was the source of additional investment for 54.05 per cent for land development and 8.11 per cent for irrigation facility, improved crop production and orchard development/ maintenance. Soft loan was the source of additional investment for 2.7 per cent for land development.  The results indicated that, cotton and tomato was sold to the extent of 100 per cent, green gram was sold to the extent of 88.24 per cent, groundnut was sold to the extent of 94.86 per cent, red gram was sold to the extent of 98.75 per cent and sorghum was sold to the extent of 87.43 per cent.  The results indicated that, about 72.22 per cent of the farmers sold their produce to local/village merchant and 2.78 per cent of the farmers sold their produce to regulated market.  The results indicated that, 72.22 per cent of the households have used tractor and 2.78 per cent of the households used cart as a mode of transportation.  The results indicated that, 75 per cent of the households have experienced soil and water erosion problems in the farm.  The results indicated that, 75 per cent have shown interest in soil test.  The results indicated that, 97.22 per cent of the households used fire wood and 5.56 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 100 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, 44.44 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, 100 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 were adequate for 86.11 per cent, vegetables were adequate for 72.22 per cent, fruits were adequate for 11.11 per cent, milk were adequate for 91.67 per cent, egg were adequate for 16.67 per cent and meat were adequate for 5..56 per cent.  The results indicated that, oilseed were inadequate for 11.11 per cent of the households, vegetables were inadequate for 25 per cent, fruits were inadequate for 5 88.89 per cent, milk were inadequate for 8.33 per cent, egg were inadequate for 83.33 per cent and meat were inadequate for 91.67 per cent of the households.  The results indicated that, lower fertility status of the soil in the area was the constraint experienced by 86.11 per cent of the households, wild animal menace on farm field, frequent incidence of pest and diseases and high cost of fertilizer and plant protection chemicals (83.33%), Inadequacy of irrigation water (13.89%), high rate of interest on credit (75 %), low price for the agricultural commodities (77.78%), lack of marketing facilities in the area (66.67 %), inadequate extension service (16.67 %), Lack of transport for safe transport of the Agril produce to the market (77.78%), less rainfall(5.56 %) and Source of Agri-technology information (2.78%).