LAND RESOURCE INVENTORY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF FARM HOUSEHOLDS FOR WATERSHED PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT KANAKAPUR-1 (4D4A1S1c) MICRO WATERSHED Irakallagada Hobli, Koppal Taluk and District, Karnataka

Abstract

The land resource inventory of Kanakapur-1 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 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 433 ha in Koppal taluk 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 98 per cent is covered by soil, one per cent by rock out crops and one per cent by water bodies, settlements and others and <less than one per cent by railways. The salient findings from the land resource inventory are summarized briefly below  The soils belong to 14 soil series and 38 soil phases (management units) and 6 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 320 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 11 per cent of the soils are moderately shallow (50-75 cm), 31 per cent moderately deep (75- 100 cm) and 56 per cent is deep to very deep (100->150cm) soils.  About 10 per cent is sandy (loamy sand), 62 per cent loamy (sandy loam and sandy clay loam) and 27 per cent has clayey (sandy clay) soils at the surface.  About 55 per cent of the area has non-gravelly (<15%) soils, 30 per cent has gravelly soils (15-35 % gravel) and 13 per cent very gravelly (35-60 %) soils.  With respect to available water capacity 25 per cent of the area has very low (<50mm/m), 59 per cent of the area has low (51-100 mm/m), <1 per cent medium (101-150 mm/m) and 13 per cent area has very high (>200mm/m) in available water capacity.  An area of about 4 per cent has nearly level (0-1%), 90 per cent has very gently sloping (1-3%) lands and 4 per cent has gently sloping lands (3-5%).  An area of about 51 per cent is slightly eroded (e1), 44 per cent is moderately eroded (e2) and 3 per cent is severely eroded.  An area of about 47 per cent is slightly acid (pH6.0-6.5) 41 per cent has neutral (pH 6.5 to 7.3) soils, 10 per cent slightly alkaline (pH 7.3 to 7.8) and <1 per cent moderately alkaline (pH 7.8 to 8.4)  The Electrical Conductivity (EC) of the soils are dominantly <2 dsm-1 indicating that soils are non saline.  Organic carbon is medium (0.5-0.75%) in 97 per cent and high (>0.75%) in 2 per cent area of the microwatershed.  Available phosphorus is medium (23-57 kg/ha) in 76 per cent and high (>57 kg/ha) in 23 per cent of the soils.  Available potassium is medium (145-337 kg/ha) in an entire area of the soils.  Available sulphur is low (<10 ppm) in 73 per cent and medium (10-20 ppm) in 25 per cent area of the soils.  Available boron is low (<0.5 ppm) in entire area of the microwatershed.  Available iron is deficient in 50 per cent and sufficient (>4.5 ppm) in 49 per cent of the area.  Available zinc is deficient (<0.6 ppm) in 90 per cent and sufficient (>0.6 ppm) in 9 per cent of the microwatershed.  Available manganese and copper are sufficient in the entire area.  The land suitability for 28 major agricultural and horticultural crops grown in the microwatershed was assessed and the areas that are highly suitable (class S1) and moderately suitable (class 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 95(22) 82 (19) Pomegranate 32(7) 187(20) Maize 42 (10) 135 (31) Guava 1(<1) 163(38) Bajra 77(18) 190(44) Jackfruit 32(7) 131(30) Redgram 30(7) 103 (24) Jamun 29(7) 167(39) Bengal gram 53(12) 112(26) Musambi 85(20) 134(31) Groundnut 19(4) 316 (73) Lime 85(20) 134(31) Sunflower 83 (19) 61 (14) Cashew 13(3) 153(35) Cotton 82(19) 84(19) Custard apple 130(30) 296(68) Chilli 56(13) 47(11) Amla 77(18) 349 (81) Tomato 56(13) 47(11) Tamarind 29(7) 59(14) Drumstick 32(7) 268(62) Marigold 41(9) 136(32) Mulberry 32(7) 347(80) Chrysanthemum 41(9) 136 (32) Mango 29(7) 6(2) Jasmine 41(9) 80(19) Sapota 32(7) 131(30) Crossandra 41(9) 104(24) Apart from the individual crop suitability, a proposed crop plan has been prepared for the 6 identified 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 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 to these problematic soils like saline/alkali, highly eroded, sandy soils etc.,  Soil and water conservation and drainage line treatment plans have 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 91 (55.15%) men and 74 (44.85%) women among the sampled households.  The average family size of landless farmers’ was 6.5, marginal farmers’ was 4.2, small farmers’ was 5.45, semi medium farmers’ was 6.29 and medium farmers’ was 6.  The data indicated that, 28 (16.97%) people were in 0-15 years of age, 72 (43.64%) were in 16-35 years of age, 47 (28.48%) were in 36-60 years of age and 18 (10.91 %) were above 61 years of age.  The results indicated that Kanakapur-1 had 30.30 per cent illiterates, 35.15 per cent of them had primary school education, 2.42 per cent of them had middle school education, 10.30 per cent of them had high school education, 11.52 per cent of them had PUC education, 1.21 per cent of them did ITI, 4.85 per cent of them had degree education and 2 persons were doing masters.  The results indicate that, 87.10 per cent of households practicing agriculture, 9.68 per cent of the households were agricultural laborers and 3.23 per cent were in government service.  The results indicate that agriculture was the major occupation for 18.18 per cent of the household members, 46.67 per cent were agricultural laborers, 0.61 per cent were in government service, 1.82 per cent were in private service, 27.88 per cent were students, 3.03 per cent were housewives and 1.82 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 38.71 per cent of the households possess thatched house, 48.39 per cent of the households possess Katcha house and 16.13 per cent of them possess pucca house.  The results shows that 96.77 per cent of the households possess TV, 83.87 per cent of the households possess mixer grinder, 25.81 per cent of the households possess bicycle, 38.71 per cent of the households possess motor cycle, 3.23 per cent of the households possess refrigerator and 97.14 per cent of the households possess mobile phones.  The results shows that the average value of television was Rs.4300, mixer grinder was Rs.1800, motor cycle was Rs.28214, mobile phone was Rs.1435, bicycle was Rs.1222 and refrigerator was Rs.15000.  About 22.58 per cent of the households possess bullock cart, 29.03 per cent of them possess plough, 6.45 per cent of them possess tractor, 38.71 per cent of them posses sprayer, 93.55 per cent of them possess weeder, 3.23 per cent of them possess harvester and 3.23 per cent of them possess thresher. 2  The results show that the average value of bullock cart was Rs.15400, plough was Rs.1900, the average value of tractor was Rs. 250000, the average value of sprayer was Rs.1064, the average value of harvester was Rs.3500, thresher was Rs.50000 and the average value of weeder Rs.40.  The results indicate that, 29.03 per cent of the households possess bullocks, 12.90 per cent of the households possess local cow and 3.23 per cent of the households possess buffalo.  The results indicate that, average own labour men available in the micro watershed was 1.71, average own labour (women) available was 1.65, average hired labour (men) available was 6.74 and average hired labour (women) available was 7.39.  The results indicate that, 96.77 per cent of the households opined that the hired labour was inadequate.  The results indicate that, households of the Kanakapur-1 micro watershed possess 22.29 ha (38.40%) of dry land and 35.76 ha (61.60%) of irrigated land.  The results indicate that, the average value of dry land was Rs. 273633 and average value of irrigated was Rs. 392264.  The results indicate that, there were 9 functioning and 11 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 22.71 meters.  The results indicate that, semi medium and medium farmers had irrigated area of 7.50 ha and 2.02 ha respectively.  The results indicate that, farmers have grown maize (16.5 ha), bajra (9.5 ha), cotton (2.63 ha), groundnut (4.63 ha), navane (0.81 ha), sesamum (0.81 ha), sorghum (0.81 ha), sunflower (0.88 ha), tomato (2.11 ha) and Bengal gram (0.73 ha).  The results indicate that, the cropping intensity in Kanakapur-1 micro watershed was found to be 86.25 per cent.  The results indicate that, 93.55 per cent of the households have bank account and 38.71 per cent of the households have savings.  The results indicate that, 90.32 per cent of the households have availed credit from different sources.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for maize was Rs. 23916. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 26575.54. The net income from Maize cultivation was Rs. 2659.54, thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.11. 3  The total cost of cultivation for bajra was Rs. 24282.12. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 23280.87. The net income from bajra cultivation was Rs. -1001.25. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.96.  The total cost of cultivation for sorghum was Rs. 36079.54. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 35197.50. The net income from sorghum cultivation was Rs. -882.04. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.98.  The total cost of cultivation for bengalgram was Rs. 24352.79. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 70110. The net income from bengalgram cultivation was Rs. 45757.21. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:2.88.  The total cost of cultivation for groundnut was Rs. 36632.92. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 45304.12. The net income from groundnut cultivation was Rs. 8671.21. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.24.  The total cost of cultivation for cotton was Rs. 35183.37. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 67306.06. The net income from cotton cultivation was Rs. 32122.69. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.91.  The total cost of cultivation for tomato was Rs. 36338.34. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 111921.87. The net income from tomato cultivation was Rs. 75583.53. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:3.08.  The total cost of cultivation for navane was Rs. 18748.01. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 36309. The net income from navane cultivation was Rs. 17560.99. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.94.  The total cost of cultivation for sesamum was Rs. 27478.47. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 24700. The net income from sesamum cultivation was Rs. -2778.47. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.9.  The results indicate that, 6.45 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was adequate and 9.68 per cent of the households opined that green fodder was adequate. Around 12.90 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was inadequate.  The results indicate that the average annual gross income was Rs.30000 for landless farmers, for marginal farmers it was Rs.60810, for small farmers it was Rs.100354, for semi medium farmers it was Rs.98328, and for medium farmers it was Rs.105000.  The results indicate that the average annual expenditure is Rs. 7730. For landless households it was Rs.7500, for marginal farmers it was Rs 2405, for small farmers it was Rs. 8834, for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 7632, and for medium farmers it was Rs. 50000.  The results indicate that, sampled households have grown 18 coconut and 3 mango trees in their field.  The results indicate that, households have planted 3 teak trees, 71 neem trees and 3 tamarind trees in their field and 3 neem trees in their backyard. 4  The results indicated that, bajra, chilly, groundnut, ladies finger, mango, paddy, tomato were sold to the extent of 100 per cent. Maize was sold to the extent of 93.38 per cent.  The results indicated that, about 100 per cent of the famers have sold their produce in regulated markets. But some farmers also sold their produce in cooperative marketing society.  The results indicated that, 100 per cent of the households have used tractor as a mode of transportation for their agricultural produce, but 12.90 per cent have also used cart.  The results indicated that, 51.61 per cent of the households have experienced soil and water erosion problems in the farm.  The results indicated that, 90.32 per cent have shown interest in soil test.  The results indicated that, 16.13 per cent of the households adopted field bunding and 3.23 per cent have adopted summer ploughing.  The results indicated that, 100 per cent of the households who have adopted field bunding opined that they require full replacement of the structure.  The results indicated that, government was the main agency that was involved in constructing soil conservation structures in the micro watershed.  The results indicated that, piped supply was the major source of drinking water for 38.71 per cent of the households and bore well was the source of drinking water for 61.29 per cent of the households.  The results indicated that, 87.10 per cent used fire wood and 12.90 per cent of the households used LPG.  The results indicated that, Electricity was the major source of light for 100 per cent of the households in micro watershed.  The results indicated that, 32.26 per cent of the households possess sanitary toilet i.e. 100 per cent of the landless, 30 per cent of the marginal, 18.18 per cent of the small, 28.57 per cent of the semi medium and 100 per cent of the medium farmers.  The results indicated that, 87.10 per cent of the sampled households possessed BPL card, 3.23 per cent of the households possessed APL card and 9.68 per cent did not possess PDS card.  The results indicated that, 51.43 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 38.71 per cent, oilseeds were adequate for 6.45 per cent, vegetables were adequate for 12.90 per cent, fruits were adequate for 22.58 per cent, milk was adequate for 16.13 per cent, eggs were adequate for 16.13 per cent and meat was adequate for 9.68 per cent of the households.  The results indicated that, cereals were inadequate for 3.23 per cent of the households, pulses were inadequate for 54.84 per cent, oilseeds were inadequate 5 for 77.42 per cent, vegetables were inadequate for 58.06 per cent, fruits were inadequate for 35.48 per cent, milk was inadequate for 35.48 per cent, eggs were inadequate for 61.29 per cent and meat was inadequate for 3.23 per cent of the households.  The results indicated that, lower fertility status of the soil was the constraint experienced by 83.87 per cent of the households, wild animal menace on farm field (48.39%), frequent incidence of pest and diseases (41.94%), inadequacy of irrigation water (12.90%), high cost of fertilizers and plant protection chemicals (25.81%), high rate of interest on credit (3.23%), low price for the agricultural commodities (25.81%), lack of marketing facilities in the area (22.58%), lack of transport for safe transport of the agricultural produce to the market (45.16%), less rainfall (29.03%) inadequate extension services (16.13%) and source of agri technology information (12.90).