LAND RESOURCE INVENTORY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF FARM HOUSEHOLDS FOR WATERSHED PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT BACHANAHALLI-3 (4D4A2Q3c) MICRO WATERSHED Alavandi Hobli, Koppal Taluk and District, Karnataka

Abstract

The land resource inventory of Bachanahalli-3 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 456 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 99 per cent is covered by soils and 1 per cent by others. The salient findings from the land resource inventory are summarized briefly below.  The soils belong to 7 soil series and 11 soil phases (management units) and 5 land management units.  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 7 per cent of the soils are very shallow (<25 cm), 58 per cent of the soils are shallow (25-50 cm), 1 per cent is moderately shallow (50-75 cm), 32 per cent moderately deep (75- 100 cm) and 1 per cent deep soils (100-150 cm).  An area of about 52 per cent loamy soils and 47 per cent has clayey soils at the surface.  About 20 per cent of the area has non-gravelly (<15%) soils, 47 per cent has gravelly soils (15-35 % gravel) and 32 per cent very gravelly (35- 60% gravel) soils.  With respect to available water capacity 97 per cent of the area has very low (<50 mm/m) and 2 per cent of the area has low (51-100 mm/m).  Entire area is very gently sloping (1-3%) lands.  An area of about 15 per cent is slightly eroded (e1) and 84 per cent is moderately eroded (e2) lands.  An area of about 6 per cent slightly acid (pH 6.0-6.5), 32 per cent has neutral (pH 6.5 to 7.3) soils, 21 per cent slightly alkaline (pH 7.3 to 7.8), 38 per cent moderately alkaline (pH 7.8 to 8.4) and 2 per cent strongly alkaline (pH 8.4-9.0).  The Electrical Conductivity (EC) of the soils are <2 dsm-1 indicating that the soils are non saline.  Organic carbon is low (<0.5%) in 30 per cent, medium (0.5-0.75%) in 59 per cent and high (>0.75%) in 10 per cent area of the soils.  Available phosphorus is low (<23 kg/ha) in 7 per cent, medium (23-57 kg/ha) in 76 per cent and high (>57 kg/ha) in 16 per cent of the soils.  Available potassium is low (<145 kg/ha) in 24 per cent, medium (145-337 kg/ha) in 66 per cent and high (>337 kg/ha) in 9 per cent of the soils.  Available sulphur is low (<10 ppm) in 31 per cent, medium (10-20 ppm) in 44 per cent and high (>20 ppm) in 24 per cent area of the soils.  Available boron is low (<0.5 ppm) in about 65 per cent and medium (0.5-1.0 ppm) in 34 per cent area of the soils.  Available iron is deficient in 52 per cent of the area and sufficient (>4.5 ppm) in 47 per cent of the area.  Available zinc is deficient (<0.6 ppm) in 43 per cent of the area and sufficient (>0.6 ppm) in 56 per cent of the area.  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 - 8 (2) Pomegranate - 3 (<1) Maize - 8 (2) Guava - 3 (<1) Bajra - 8 (2) Jackfruit - 3 (<1) Redgram - 3 (<1) Jamun - - Bengal gram - 8 (2) Musambi - 3 (<1) Groundnut - 14 (3) Lime - 3 (<1) Sunflower - 3 (<1) Cashew - 144 (31) Cotton - 8 (2) Custard apple - 158 (35) Chilli - 8 (2) Amla - 158 (35) Tomato - 8 (2) Tamarind - - Drumstick - 9 (2) Marigold - 8 (2) Mulberry - 153 (33) Chrysanthemum - 8 (2) Mango - - Jasmine - 8 (2) Sapota - 3 (<1) Crossandra - 8 (2) Apart from the individual crop suitability, a proposed crop plan has been prepared for the 5 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 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. This 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 result indicated that 30 farmers were sampled in Bachanahalli-3 microwatershed among them 14 (46.67%) were marginal farmers, 5 (16.67%) were small farmers, 9 (30%) were semi medium farmers and 2 (6.67%) were medium farmers.  The data indicated that there were 82 (58.99%) men and 57 (41.01%) were women among the sampled households. The average family size of marginal farmers was 4, small farmer was 4, semi medium farmer was 5, and medium farmers were 4.  The data indicated that 18 (12.95%) people were in 0-15 years of age, 59 (42.45%) were in 16-35 years of age, 50 (35.97 %) were in 36-60 years of age and 12 (8.63%) were above 61 years of age.  The results indicated that the Bachanahalli-3 had 31.65 per cent illiterates, 38.13 per cent of them had primary school education, 2.16 per cent of them had middle school education, 17.99 per cent of them had high school education, 5.04 per cent of them had PUC education, 0.72 per cent of them had ITI, 2.88 per cent of them had degree education and 1.44 per cent of them had other education.  The results indicated that, 100 per cent of households practicing agriculture and only 3.33 per cent of the household heads were doing other work.  The results indicated that agriculture was the major occupation for 59.71 per cent of the household members, 21.58 per cent were agricultural labourers, 2.88 per cent of them were in private sector and 11.51 per cent of them were students and 0.72 percent of households were general labours, doing household industry and artisans respectively.  In case of marginal farmers 61.29 per cent were agriculturist, 16.13 percent were agricultural labour and 12.90 per cent were students. In case of small farmers, 54.55 per cent of the household members were practicing agriculture and 31.82 per cent were agricultural labour and 9.09 per cent of them were students. In case of semi medium farmers 60.87 per cent of the household members were practicing agriculture, 21.74 per cent of them were agricultural labours and 13.04 per cent of them were students. In case of medium farmers, 55.56 per cent of the household members were performing agriculture and 33.33 per cent of them were agricultural labour.  The results showed that 100 per cent of the households have not participated in any local institutions.  The results indicated that 36.67 per cent of the households possess Katcha house, 13.33 per cent of them possess Pucca house and 46.67 per cent of them possess Semi Pacca house. Only 3.33 per cent of them possess Thatched house. 2  The results showed that 100 per cent of the households possess TV, 66.67 per cent of the households possess mixer grinder, 20 per cent of the households possess bicycle, 66.67 per cent of the households possess motor cycle, 6.67 per cent of the households possess auto and 100 per cent of the households possess mobile phones.  The results showed that the average value of television was Rs. 2,766, mixer grinder was Rs. 1125, bicycle Rs.6433, motor cycle was Rs.34045, Auto was Rs.39000 and mobile phone was Rs.1186.  The results indicated that 26.67 per cent of the households possess bullock cart, 40 per cent of them possess plough, 13.33 cent of the households possess tractor, 43.33 per cent of the households possess sprayer, 90 per cent of them possess weeder, 13.33 per cent of them were possess chaff cutter, 6.67 per cent of them were possess harvester and 16.67 per cent of the households possess Earth remover/Duster.  The results showed that the average value of plough was Rs.1655, the average value of bullock cart was Rs. 21000, the average value of tractor Rs. 312500, the average value of sprayer was Rs.3788, the average value of weeder Rs. 42, the average value of chaff cutter Rs.1187, and the average value of duster was Rs. 19720.  The results indicated that, 33.33 per cent of the households possess bullocks and 6.67 per cent of the households possess local cow and crossbred cow, 10 per cent of the household possess buffalo and 3.33 per cent of the households possess sheep and poultry birds respectively.  In case of marginal farmers, 21.43 per cent of the households possess bullock and 7.14 per cent of the households possess local cow, buffalo and sheep respectively. In case of small farmers, 20 per cent of households possess bullock and crossbred cow correspondingly. In case of semi medium farmers, 44.44 per cent of the households possess bullock, 22.22 per cent possess buffalo and 11.11 per cent possess poultry birds. In medium farmers, 100 per cent of the households possess bullock and 50 per cent possess local cow and crossbred cow respectively.  The results indicated that, average own labour men available in the microwatershed was 1.87, average own labour (women) available was 1.50, average hired labour (men) available was 10.30 and average hired labour (women) available was 8.30.  In case of marginal farmers, average own labour men available was 1.86, average own labour (women) was 1.29, average hired labour (men) was 6.86 and average hired labour (women) available was 5.43. In case of small farmers, average own labour men available was 1.80, average own labour (women) was 1.40, average hired labour (men) was 13.60 and average hired labour (women) available was 9.60. In case of semi medium farmers, average own labour men 3 available was 2, average own labour (women) was 1.78, average hired labour (men) was 15 and average hired labour (women) available was 13.89. In medium farmers average own labour men available was 1.50, average own labour (women) was 2, average hired labour (men) was 5 and average hired labour (women) available was 8.30.  The results indicated that, 90 per cent of the household opined that hired labour was adequate and 10 per cent of the household opined that hired labour was inadequate. About 100 per cent of the marginal farmers, 80 per cent of small, 88.89 per cent of semi medium and 50 per cent of the medium have opined that the hired labour was adequate and 20 per cent of small farmers, 11.11 per cent of semi medium farmers and 50 per medium farmers were opined that hired labour was inadequate.  The results indicated that, households of the Bachanahalli-3 micro-watershed possess 17.33 ha (47.84%) of dry land and 18.90 ha (52.16%) of irrigated land. Marginal farmers possess 9.37 ha (91.25 %) of dry land and 0.90 ha (8.75%) of irrigated land. Small farmers possess 2.95 ha (53.28%) of dry land and 2.59 ha (46.72%) of irrigated land. Semi medium farmers possess 12.91 ha (100%) of irrigated land. Medium farmers possess 5.01 ha (66.72%) of dry land and 2.50 ha (33.28%) of irrigated land.  The results indicated that, the average value of dry land was Rs. 369,173.29 and average value of irrigated was Rs. 423,216.96. In case of marginal famers, the average land value was Rs. 490,799.13 for dry land and 1,223,873.86 for irrigated land. In case of small famers, the average land value was Rs. 439,863.03 for dry land Rs. 540,312.49 for irrigated land. In case of semi medium famers, the average land value was Rs.387147.34 for irrigated land. In case of medium famers, the average land value was Rs. 99838.32 for dry land and the average land value was Rs. 200162.07 for irrigated land.  The results indicated that, there were 15 functioning and 2 defunctioning bore wells in the micro-watershed.  The results indicated that, bore well was the major irrigation source for 53.33 per cent of the farmers and 3.33 per cent of the farmers were using canal for irrigation.  The results indicated that on an average the depth of the bore well was 69.70 meters.  The results indicated that, in case of marginal farmers there were 2.75 ha of irrigated land, in case of small farmers there was 3.40 ha of irrigated land, semi medium farmers were having 20.80 ha of irrigated land and medium farmers were having 2.50 ha of irrigated land. On an average there were 29.45 ha of irrigated land. 4  The results indicated that, farmers have grown Bajra (8.20 ha), Bengal gram (1.85 ha), Cotton (4.05 ha), Sorghum (0.81 ha), Maize (12.76 ha), Red gram (3.03 ha), Sugarcane (2.59 ha) and Sunflower (3.35 ha) in kharif season and Bajra (1.30 ha), Bengal gram (4.14 ha), Cotton (1.21 ha), Maize (1.73 ha) and Sunflower (0.81 ha) in Rabi season.  Marginal farmers have grown Bajra, Bengalgram, Cotton, Sorghum, Maize and Red gram. Small farmers have grown Bajra, cotton, Sugarcane and Sunflower. Semi medium farmers have grown Cotton, Maize, Red gram, Sugarcane and Sunflower. Medium farmers have grown Bajra and maize.  The results indicated that, the cropping intensity in Bachanahalli-3 microwatershed was found to be 99.69 per cent. In case of Marginal farmers, semi medium farmers and medium farmers it was 100 per cent, and in case of small farmers it was found 97.83 per cent.  The results indicated that, the total cost of cultivation for bajra was Rs. 20833.39. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 24479.15. The net income from bajra cultivation was Rs. 3645.76, thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.17.  The results indicated that, the total cost of cultivation for maize was Rs. 38319.32. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 40292.44. The net income from maize cultivation was Rs. 1973.12, thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.05.  The results indicated that, the total cost of cultivation for sorghum was Rs. 13240.65. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 38532.00. The net income from sorghum cultivation was Rs. 25291.35. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:2.91.  The results indicated that, the total cost of cultivation for bengalgram was Rs. 28575.40. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 85887.53. The net income from bengalgram cultivation was Rs. 57312.12. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:3.01.  The results indicated that, the total cost of cultivation for redgram was Rs. 20323.71. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 32403.40. The net income from redgram cultivation was Rs. 12079.69. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.59.  The results indicated that, the total cost of cultivation for cotton was Rs. 36144.93. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 65076.27. The net income from cotton cultivation was Rs. 28931.33. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.8.  The results indicated that, the total cost of cultivation for Sunflower was Rs. 30493.76. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 54715.48. The net 5 income from Sunflower cultivation was Rs. 24221.72. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.79.  The results indicated that, the total cost of cultivation for Sugarcane was Rs. 568202.98. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 1728897.05. The net income from Sugarcane cultivation was Rs. 1160694.07. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:3.04.  The results indicated that, 135 tons of dry fodder was available in microwatershed for 52 days and 68 tons of green fodder was available for 54 days.  The results indicated that, 18.18 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was adequate and 24.24 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was inadequate also the data revealed that 33.33 per cent of the farmers opined that green fodder is adequate and 12.12 per cent of the farmers opined that green fodder is inadequate.  The results indicated that the average income from service/salary was Rs. 9,090.91, business Rs. 4,848.48, wage Rs. 1,696.97, agriculture Rs. 118,028.79 and non farm income Rs. 1,333.33 and dairy farm Rs. 1,298.18.  The results indicated that the average expenditure from service/salary was Rs. 6,666.67, business Rs. 4,545.45, wage Rs. 1,060.61, agriculture Rs. 74,606.06 and dairy farm Rs. 545.45.  The results indicated that, sampled households have grown 45 coconut trees in their field.  The results indicated that, households have planted 76 Neem, 3 Banyan trees and 6 Eucalyptus trees in their field and also grown 3 Neem tree in the backyard.  The results indicated that, Bengal gram, Cotton, Sorghum, Maize, Red gram, Sugarcane and Sunflower were sold to the extent of 100 per cent and only Bajra was sold to the extent of 93.98 per cent.  The results indicated that, 54.29 percent of the households have sold their produce to agents/ traders, 42.86 percent of the households sold their produce in local/village merchant, 51.43 percent of the households sold their produce to regulated market and 2.86 percent of the households sold their produce to cooperative marketing society and outside the state respectively.  . The results indicated that 16.67 per cent of the households have used cart as a mode of transport, 47.22 per cent have used tractor and 27.78 per cent have used Truck and 8.33 households have used head load as a mode of transport.  The results indicated that, 66.67 percent used fire wood, 30.56 percent of the households used LPG and 2.78 percent of the households used Biogas as a source of fuel.  The results indicated that, bore well was the major source for drinking water for 29.73 per cent and 62.16 per cent of households used piped supply water for drinking purpose. 6  The results indicated that, electricity was the major source of light for 97.30 per cent of the households in micro-watershed.  The results indicated that, 43.24 per cent of the households possess sanitary toilet i.e. 50 per cent of marginal, 30 per cent of small, 50 per cent of semi medium and 33.33 per cent of medium had sanitary toilet facility.  The results indicated that, 91.89 per cent of the sampled households possessed BPL card and 5.41 per cent of the sample households possess APL card.  The results indicated that, 37.84 per cent of the households participated in NREGA programme which included 7.14 percent of the marginal, 10 per cent of the small, 100 per cent of the semi medium and 66.67 percent of the medium farmers.  The results indicated that, cereals, pulses, oilseeds, vegetables, fruits, milk, Egg and meat were adequate for 100 percent, 16.22 percent, 45.95 percent, 43.24 percent, 2.70 percent, 54.05 percent, 43.43 percent, and 43.24 percent of the households respectively.  The results indicated that, cereals, pulses, oilseeds, vegetables, fruits, milk, egg and meat were inadequate for 2.63 per cent, 76.32 per cent, 7.89 per cent, 18.42 per cent, 23.68 per cent, 36.84 per cent, 44.74 per cent and 31.58 per cent of the households respectively.  The data regarding farming constraints experienced by households in Bachanahalli-3 micro-watershed is presented in Table 49. The results indicated that, Lower fertility status of the soil was the constraint experienced by 5.26 per cent of the households, wild animal menace on farm field (42.11%), frequent incidence of pest and diseases (42.11%), inadequacy of irrigation water (15.79%), high cost of Fertilizers and plant protection chemicals (52.63%), high rate of interest on credit (47.37%), low price for the agricultural commodities (13.16%), lack of marketing facilities in the area (52.63%), inadequate extension services (5.26%), lack of transport for safe transport of the agricultural produce to the market (47.37%), less rainfall (100%) and Source of Agri-technology information (Newspaper/TV/Mobile) (55.26%).