LAND RESOURCE INVENTORY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF FARM HOUSEHOLDS FOR WATERSHED PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT RAISABAD HOSAHALLI-2 (4D5B1J1b) MICROWATERSHED Yadgir Taluk and District, Karnataka

Abstract

The land resource inventory of Raisabad Hosalli-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 333 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 305 ha in the microwatershed is covered by soils, 25 ha by rock outcrops and about 3 ha by others (habitation and water bodies). The salient findings from the land resource inventory are summarized briefly below.  The soils belong to 8 soil series and 12 soil phases (management units) and 6 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.  Entire area in the microwatershed is suitable for agriculture.  About 54 per cent area of the microwatershed has soils that are moderately deep to deep (75 - 150 cm) and 38 per cent soils are very shallow to moderately shallow (<25 - 75 cm).  About 69 per cent soils are loamy and 22 per cent clayey soils at the surface.  About 57 per cent of the microwatershed area is non gravelly (<15%) and 35 per cent of the microwatershed area is gravelly (15 – 35%).  About 19 per cent area of the microwatershed is very high (>200 mm/m) in available water capacity, 46 per cent is low (51-100 mm/m) and 27 per cent is very low (<50 mm/m).  Entire area of the microwatershed falls under very gently sloping (1-3% slope) lands.  An area of about 7 per cent is severely (e3) eroded and 84 per cent is moderately (e2) eroded.  An area of about 72 per cent soils are slightly acid (pH 6.0-6.5) in soil reaction and an area of 20 per cent is neutral (pH 6.5-7.3).  The Electrical Conductivity (EC) of the soils in the entire area of the microwatershed is dominantly <2 dsm-1indicating that the soils are non-saline.  Available organic carbon is low (<0.5%) in an area of 10 per cent and medium (0.5- 0.75%) in an area of 82 per cent.  About 64 per cent is medium (23-57 kg/ha) in available phosphorus and high (>57 kg/ha) in an area of 27 per cent.  About 72 per cent is low (<145 kg/ha) in available potassium and 19 per cent is medium (145-337 kg/ha).  Available sulphur is low (<10 ppm) in an area of about 38 per cent and medium (10 - 20 ppm) in 54 per cent.  Available boron content is low (<0.5 ppm) in an area of about 81 per cent and medium (0.5-1.0 ppm) in 11 per cent.  Available iron is sufficient (>4.5 ppm) in the entire area of the microwatershed.  Available manganese and copper are sufficient in all the soils of the microwatershed.  Available zinc is deficient (<0.6 ppm) in the entire 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 116(35) 48(14) Guava - 98(29) Maize 53 (16) 112(33) Sapota - 98(29) Bajra 53 (16) 144(43) Pomegranate - 161(48) Groundnut - 116(35) Musambi 50(15) 112(34) Sunflower 63(19) 65(19) Lime 50(15) 112(34) Red gram - 161(48) Amla 65(19) 99(30) Bengal gram 63(19) 101(30) Cashew - 65(19) Cotton 63(19) 101(30) Jackfruit - 65(19) Chilli - 197(59) Jamun - 96(29) Tomato 53 (16) 98(29) Custard apple 81(24) 83(25) Brinjal 128(38) 69(21) Tamarind - 99(29) Onion 108(33) 89(27) Mulberry - 65(19) Bhendi 75(23) 122(37) Marigold - 197(59) Drumstick - 161(48) Chrysanthemum - 197(59) Mango - 63(19)  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 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 sub marginal 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 on households sampled for socio economic survey indicated that 35 farmers were sampled in Raisabad Hosalli-2 micro-watershed among them 4 (11.43 %) were landless, 12 (34.29 %) were marginal farmers, 11 (31.43 %) were small farmers, 6 (17.14 %) were semi medium farmers and 2 (5.71 %) were medium farmers.  The data indicated that there were 101 (58.05 %) men and 73 (41.95 %) women among the sampled households. The average family size of landless farmers’ was 3.25, marginal farmers’ was 6.02, small farmers’ was 4.54, semi medium farmers’ was 4.5 and medium farmers’ was 11.  The data indicated that, 19 (10.92 %) people were in 0-15 years of age, 95 (54.60 %) were in 16-35 years of age, 45 (25.86 %) were in 36-60 years of age and 15 (8.62 %) were above 61 years of age.  The results indicated that Raisabad Hosalli-2 had 62.64 per cent illiterates, 8.05 per cent of them had primary school, 2.30 per cent of them had middle school, 13.22 per cent of them had high school education, 5.75 per cent of them had PUC, 1.72 per cent of them had Diploma, 4.02 per cent of them had Degree education and 0.57 per cent of them had Masters education.  The results indicate that, 82.86 per cent of household heads were practicing agriculture, 11.43 per cent of the household heads were agricultural labourers, 2.86 cent of the household heads were General labourers and 5.71 cent of the household heads were Housewives.  The results indicate that agriculture was the major occupation for 58.62 per cent of the household members, 5.17 per cent were agricultural labourers, 3.45 per cent were in general labour, 2.30 per cent were private service, 20.69 per cent were Student, 8.05 per cent were housewives and 1.72 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 17.14 per cent of the households possess Thatched house, 65.71 per cent of the households possess Katcha house and 17.14 per cent of them possess Pucca/RCC house.  The results show that 57.14 per cent of the households possess TV, 2.86 per cent of the households possess mixer/grinder, 5.71 per cent of the households possess bicycle, 2.86 per cent of the households possess Computer/Laptop, 2.86 per cent of the households possess Landline Phone, 17.14 per cent of the households possess motor cycle and 91.43 per cent of the households possess mobile phones.  The results show that the average value of television was Rs. 6,275, mixer/grinder was Rs. 5,300, Bicycle was Rs. 3,750, motor cycle was Rs. 63,000, Landline Phone was Rs. 1,500 and mobile phone was Rs. 1,832. 2  About 2.86 per cent of the households possess Bullock Cart, Seed/Fertilizer Drill and Tractor, 20 per cent of the households possess plough, 11.43 per cent of the households possess Sprinkler, 8.57 per cent of them possess Sprayer and 22.86 per cent of them possess weeder.  The results show that the average value of bullock cart was Rs. 12,000, plough was Rs. 3,528, Seed/Fertilizer Drill was Rs. 4,000, Tractor was Rs. 400,000, sprayer was Rs. 2,900, sprinkler was Rs. 9,250 and the average value of weeder was Rs. 90.  The results indicate that, 11.43 per cent of the households possess bullocks, 17.14 per cent of the households possess local cow, 2.86 per cent of the households possess Crossbred cow and Goat, 8.57 per cent of the households possess Buffalo and 5.71 per cent of the households possess Poultry birds.  The results indicate that, average own labour men available in the micro watershed was 1.39, average own labour (women) available was 1.39, average hired labour (men) available was 11.32 and average hired labour (women) available was 9.61.  The results indicate that, 88.57 per cent of the households opined that the hired labour was adequate.  The results indicate that, households of the Raisabad Hosalli-2 micro-watershed possess 27.61 ha (69.06 %) of dry land, 12.37 ha (30.94 %) of irrigated land.  The results indicate that, the average value of dry land was Rs. 418,122.53 and the average value of irrigated land was Rs. 476,709.19. In case of marginal famers, the average land value was Rs. 633,479.67 for dry land and the average land value was Rs. 247,000 for Irrigated land. In case of small famers, the average land value was Rs. 401,853.96 for dry land and Rs. 893,239.01 for irrigated land. In case of semi medium famers, the average land value was Rs. 247,000 for dry land and Rs. 438,461.54 for irrigated land. In case of medium farmers, the average land value was Rs. 191,878.53 for dry land and Rs. 247,000 for irrigated land.  The results indicate that, there were 1 De-functioning and 4 functioning bore wells in the micro watershed.  The results indicate that, bore well was the major irrigation source in the micro water shed for 11.43 per cent of the farmers.  The results indicate that, the depth of bore well was found to be 8.19 meters.  The results indicate that, small, semi medium farmers and marginal had an irrigated area of 0.85 ha, 2.43 ha and 3.24 ha respectively.  The results indicate that, farmers have grown cotton (16.81 ha), green gram (10.84 ha), Paddy (6.72 ha) and red gram (2.09 ha). Marginal farmers have grown red gram, cotton and green gram. Small farmers have grown cotton, red gram, green gram and paddy. Semi medium farmers have grown cotton, paddy and green gram. Medium farmers have grown cotton, paddy and green gram.  The results indicate that, the cropping intensity in Raisabad Hosalli-2 microwatershed was found to be 87.01 per cent. 3  The results indicate that, 48.57 per cent of the households have bank account.  The results indicate that, 48.57 per cent of the households have availed credit from different sources.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for Cotton was Rs. 26607.26. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 91581.57. The net income from Cotton cultivation was Rs. 64974.30. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1: 3.44.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for green gram was Rs. 25425.80. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 133070.48. The net income from green gram cultivation was Rs. 107644.68. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1: 5.23.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for Red gram was Rs. 19845.66. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 24572.82. The net income from Red gram cultivation was Rs. 4727.16. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1: 1.24.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for Paddy was Rs. 34785.98. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 209260.05. The net income from Paddy cultivation was Rs. 174474.06. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1: 6.02.  The results indicate that, 17.14 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was adequate and 8.57 per cent of the households opined that green fodder was adequate.  The results indicate that the annual gross income was Rs. 154,283.33for marginal farmers, for small farmers it was Rs. 139,454.55, semi medium farmers it was Rs. 179,458.33 and medium farmers it was Rs. 521,900.  The results indicate that the average annual expenditure is Rs. 443,541.67. For marginal farmers it was Rs. 113,833.33, for small farmers it was Rs. 64,875, for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 109,833.33 and medium farmers it was Rs. 77,500.  The results indicate that, households have planted 7 Coconut and 5 Mango trees in their field.  The results indicate that, households have planted 43 Neem, 1 Acacia, 1 Banyan, 4 Pongamia and 11 tamarind trees in their field.  The results indicated that, households have an average investment capacity of Rs. 4,242.86 for land development.  The results indicated that, cotton and Green gram was sold to the extent of 100 per cent, Paddy was sold to the extent of 86.57 per cent and Red gram was sold to the extent of 95.45 per cent.  The results indicated that, about 88.57 per cent of the farmers sold their produce to local/village merchants and 2.86 per cent of the farmers sold their produce to local/village merchants. 4  The results indicated that, 88.57 per cent of the households have used tractor as a mode of transportation and 2.86 per cent of the households have used Cart as a mode of transportation.  The results indicated that, 82.86 per cent of the households have experienced soil and water erosion problems in the farm.  The results indicated that, 85.71 per cent have shown interest in soil test.  The results indicated that, 97.14 per cent of the households used firewood as a source of fuel and 2.86 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.  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, 28.57 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, 94.29 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 94.29 per cent of the households, Vegetables were adequate for 48.57 per cent, Egg were adequate for 14.29 per cent, Fruits were adequate for 2.86 per cent, Milk was adequate for 85.71 per cent and Meat were adequate for 2.86 per cent.  The results indicated that, oilseeds were inadequate for 5.71 per cent, vegetables and milk were inadequate for 48.57 per cent, fruits were inadequate for 97.14 per cent, Milk were inadequate for 14.29 per cent, Egg were inadequate for 85.71 per cent of the households and Meat was inadequate for 97.14 per cent of the households.  The results indicated that, lower fertility status of the soil and Frequent incidence of pest and diseases were the constraint experienced by 88.57 per cent of the households, Wild animal menace on farm field (85.71 %), High cost of Fertilizers and plant protection chemicals (82.86 %), Lack of marketing facilities in the area (77.14 %), High rate of interest on credit (80 %), Inadequacy of irrigation water (5.71 %), Low price for the agricultural commodities (88.57 %), Lack of transport for safe transport of the Agril produce to the market (82.86 %) and Less Rainfall (2.86 %).