LAND RESOURCE INVENTORY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF FARM HOUSEHOLDS FOR WATERSHED PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT HEGANAGERA-2 (4D4A3R3f) MICROWATERSHED Yadgir Taluk and District, Karnataka ; Not Available

Abstract

Not Available ; The land resource inventory of Heganagera-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 576 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 564 ha in the microwatershed is covered by soils, 12 ha by others (water body). The salient findings from the land resource inventory are summarized briefly below.  The soils belong to 5 soil series and 7 soil phases (management units) and one land use class.  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 250 m grid interval.  Land suitability for growing 26 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 arable lands and is suitable for agriculture.  Entire area of the microwatershed has soils that are moderately deep to very deep (75 - >150 cm).  About 94 per cent of the microwatershed has clayey soils and 4 per cent loamy soils at the surface.  Entire area in the microwatershed is non gravelly (200 mm/m) in available water capacity and 10 per cent is medium (101-150 mm/m).  Entire area in the microwatershed has very gently sloping (1-3% slope) lands.  An area of about 94 per cent is moderately (e2) eroded and 4 per cent area is severely (e3) eroded.  An area of about 56 per cent soils are moderately alkaline (pH 7.8-8.4) in soil reaction, 40 per cent soils are strongly alkaline (8.4 - 9.0) and 2 per cent soils are very strongly alkaline (pH >9.0).  The Electrical Conductivity (EC) of entire soils of the microwatershed is 0.75).  About 73 per cent area is low in available phosphorus and 25 per area is medium (23-57 kg/ha).  About 21 per cent is medium (145-337 kg/ha) in available potassium and 76 per cent is high (>337 kg/ha).  Available sulphur is low (20 ppm) in 39 per cent area of the microwatershed.  Available boron is low (1.0 ppm) in 19 per cent area.  Available iron is sufficient (>4.5 ppm) in 82 per cent area and deficient in 16 per cent 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 26 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 524(91) 40(7) Sapota - - Maize - 564(98) Pomegranate - 564(98) Bajra - 564(98) Musambi 504(88) 59(10) Groundnut - - Lime 504(88) 59(10) Sunflower 504(88) 60(10) Amla 504(88) 59(10) Redgram - 564(98) Cashew - - Bengal gram 524(91) 40(7) Jackfruit - - Cotton 504(88) 60(10) Jamun - 504(88) Chilli - 564(96) Custard apple 563(98) - Tomato - 230(40) Tamarind - 504(88) Drumstick - 564(98) Mulberry - - Mango - - Marigold - 564(98) Guava - - Chrysanthemum - 564(98)  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 98 (58.68%) men and 69 (41.32%) were women among the sampled households.  The average family size of landless farmers' was 2.5, marginal farmers' was 5.2, small farmers' was 5, semi medium farmers' was 5.8, medium farmers' was 5.6 and for large farmers it was 4.  The data indicated that there were 34 (20.36%) people in 0-15 years of age, 75 (44.91%) were in 16-35 years of age, 39 (23.35 %) were in 36-60 years of age and 19 (11.38%) were above 61 years of age.  The results indicated that the Heganagera-2 had 45.51 per cent illiterates, 25.15 per cent of them had primary school education, 7.19 per cent of them had middle school education, 8.38 per cent of them had high school education, 5.39 per cent of them had PUC education, 0.60 per cent had diploma education, 4.19 per cent of them had degree education and 1.20 per cent of them had ITI education.  The results indicate that, 79.41 per cent of the households were practicing agriculture and 20.59 per cent were agricultural labourers.  The results indicate that agriculture was the major occupation for 17.96 per cent of the household members, agricultural labour was the major occupation for 50.90 per cent of the household members, 2.40 per cent of the households were in private service, 22.16 per cent were students, 4.19 per cent were housewives and 2.40 per cent were children.  The results show that 100 per cent of the population did not participate in any local organization.  The results indicate that 76.47 per cent of the households possess Katcha house and 23.53 per cent of them possess pucca house.  The results shows that 91.18 per cent of the households possess TV, 23.53 per cent of the households possess Mixer grinder, 2.94 per cent of the households possess bicycle, 17.65 per cent of the households possess motor cycle, and 88.24 per cent of the households mobile phones.  The results show that the average value of television was Rs. 9,774, mixer grinder was Rs. 2,000, bicycle was Rs.2,000, motor cycle was Rs. 50,000 and mobile phone was Rs. 2,430.  About 47.06 per cent of the households possess plough, 44.12 per cent of them possess bullock cart, 11.76 per cent of them possess sprayer, and 8.82 per cent of them possess weeder.  The results show that the average value of plough was Rs. 3,625, the average value of sprayer was Rs. 5,250, the average value of bullock cart was Rs. 17,133, and the average value of weeder was Rs.91. 2  The results indicate that, 29.41 per cent of the households possess bullock and 73.53 per cent of the households did not possess livestock. Those who possessed bullock included 33.33 per cent of marginal farmers, 27.27 per cent of small farmers, 50 per cent of semi medium farmers and 40 per cent of the medium farmers.  The results indicate that, average own labour men available in the micro watershed was 1.82, average own labour (women) available was 1.44, average hired labour (men) available was 14.18 and average hired labour (women) available was 15.12.  The results indicate that, 100 per cent of the households in the micro watershed opined that hired labour was inadequate.  The results indicate that, households of the Heganagera-2 micro watershed possess 115.07 ha (89.75%) of dry land and 13.14 ha (10.25%) of irrigated land. Marginal farmers possess 5.15 ha (100%) of dry land. Small possess 16.04 ha (100%) of dry land. Semi medium farmers possess 11.32 ha (89.54%) of dry land and 1.32 ha (10.46%) of irrigated land. Medium farmers possess 22.26 ha (88.44%) of dry land and 2.91 ha (11.56%) of irrigated land. Large farmers possess 60.30 ha (87.13%) of dry land and 8.90 ha (12.87%) of irrigated land.  The results indicate that, the average value of dry land was Rs. 88,608.31 and average value of irrigated was Rs. 121,749.85. In case of marginal famers, the average land value was Rs. 427,201.26 for dry land. In case of small famers, the average land value was Rs. 230,608.12 for dry land. In case of semi medium famers, the average land value was Rs. 185,382.42 for dry land and Rs. 377,675.84 for irrigated land. In case of medium famers, the average land value was Rs. 85,327.27 for dry land and Rs. 206,119.61 for irrigated land. In case of large farmers the average value of dry land was Rs. 4,973.15 and irrigated land was Rs. 56,136.36.  The results indicate that, there were 3 functioning and 3 de-functioning bore wells in the micro watershed.  The results indicate that, bore well was the major source of irrigation for 8.82 per cent of the households.  The results indicate that, the average depth of water for bore wells was 6.72 meters in the micro watershed.  The results indicate that, semi medium farmers had 1.32 hectares, medium farmers had 5 hectares of irrigated land and large farmers had 0.81 ha of irrigated land.  The results indicate that, farmers have grown redgram (28.66 ha), cotton (26.49 ha), sorghum (7 ha), groundnut (5.67 ha), and paddy (1.32 ha). Marginal and small farmers had grown redgram, cotton and sorghum. Semi medium farmers had grown redgram, cotton, groundnut and paddy. Medium farmers had grown 3 redgram, cotton and groundnut. Large farmers had grown red gram and groundnut.  The results indicate that, the cropping intensity in Heganagera-2 micro watershed was found to be 89.42 per cent.  The results indicate that, 85.29 per cent of the households in the micro watershed possess bank account and savings. This included 25 per cent of landless, 83.33 per cent of marginal, 90.91 per cent of small, 100 per cent of semi medium, medium and large farmers.  The results indicate that, 25 per cent of landless, 83.33 per cent of the marginal, 90.91 per cent of small, 100 per cent of semi medium, medium and large farmers have borrowed credit from different sources.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for groundnut was Rs. 45000.73. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 86253.97. The net income from Groundnut cultivation was Rs. 41253.24, thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.92.  The total cost of cultivation for cotton was Rs. 33321.94. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 58965.48. The net income from cotton cultivation was Rs. 25643.54. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.77.  The total cost of cultivation for red gram was Rs. 31792.03. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 61693.81. The net income from red gram cultivation was Rs. 29901.79. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.94.  The total cost of cultivation for paddy was Rs. 43847.66. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 104993.88. The net income from paddy cultivation was Rs. 61146.22. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:2.39.  The total cost of cultivation for sorghum was Rs. 33237.78. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 46163.53. The net income from sorghum cultivation was Rs. 12925.76, thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.39.  The results indicate that, 2.94 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was adequate and another 2.94 per cent opined that the green fodder was adequate. The data also revealed that around 14.71 per cent of the households opined that the dry fodder was inadequate.  The table indicated that average annual gross income in case of landless farmers was Rs. 40,000, in case of marginal farmers it was Rs. 61,666.67, in case of small farmers it was Rs. 150,909.09, in case of semi medium farmers it was Rs. 190,000, in case of medium farmers it was Rs. 268,000 and in case of large farmers it was Rs.352,500.  The results indicated that, in case of landless farmers the average annual expenditure was Rs. 2,312.50, in case of marginal farmers it was Rs. 5,277.78, in case of small farmers it was Rs. 8,776.86, in case of semi medium farmers it was 4 Rs. 9,716.67, for medium farmers it was Rs. 18,800 and for large farmers it was Rs. 65,000.  The results indicate that, sampled households have grown 1 lime and 1 mango tree in their field.  The results indicate that, households have planted 1 pongamia, 4 tamarind, 24 teak and 69 neem trees in their field.  The results indicate that, the average additional investment capacity with the households for land development was Rs. 5,000 for marginal farmers, Rs. 8,181.82 for small farmers, Rs. 9,166.67 for semi medium farmers, Rs. 10,000 for medium farmers and Rs. 7,500 for large farmers.  The results indicate that, loan from bank was the source of additional investment capacity for 82.35 per cent of the households for land development.  The results indicated that, groundnut was sold to the extent of 90.90 per cent, paddy to the extent of 50 per cent, redgram to the extent of 90.91 per cent and sorghum was sold to the extent of 56.52 per cent. Cotton was sold to the extent of 100 per cent.  The results indicated that, about 11.76 per cent of the households have sold agricultural produce to the local/village merchants and 79.41 per cent of the households have sold their produce in regulated markets.  The results indicated that 8.82 per cent of the households have used cart as mode of transport and 85.29 per cent of the households have used tractor as a mode of transport.  The results indicated that, 55.88 per cent of the households have experienced soil and water erosion problems in the farm i.e., 83.33 per cent of the marginal farmers, 63.64 per cent of the small farmers, 33.33 per cent of the semi medium farmers, 60 per cent of medium and 100 per cent of large farmers have experienced soil and water erosion problems.  The results indicated that, 85.29 per cent of the households have shown interest in soil testing i.e. 100 per cent of marginal farmers, 90.91 per cent of small farmers, 100 per cent of semi medium, 100 per cent of medium and 100 per cent of large farmers have shown interest in soil testing.  The results indicated that, fire wood was the source of fuel for 91.18 per cent of the households and LPG was the source of fuel for 8.82 per cent of the households.  Piped supply was the major source for drinking water for 82.35 per cent and bore well was the source of drinking water for 17.65 per cent of the households in the micro watershed.  Electricity was the major source of light for all the households in micro watershed. 5  The results indicated that, 38.24 per cent of the households possess sanitary toilet i.e. 100 per cent of landless, 16.67 per cent of marginal, 27.27 per cent of small, 16.67 per cent of semi medium, 40 per cent of medium and 100 per cent of the large farmers had sanitary toilet facility.  The results indicated that, 97.06 per cent of the sampled households possessed BPL card and 2.94 per cent of the households did not possess PDS card.  The results indicated that, 94.12 per cent of the households in the micro watershed participated in NREGA programme.  The results indicated that, cereals were adequate for 97.06 per cent of the households, pulses were adequate for 26.47 per cent, oilseeds were adequate for 47.06 per cent, vegetables were adequate for 29.41 per cent, fruits were adequate for 61.76 per cent, milk was adequate for 29.41 per cent and egg were adequate for 38.24 per cent of the households.  The results indicated that, cereals were inadequate for pulses were inadequate for 73.53 per cent, oilseeds were inadequate for 47.06 per cent, vegetables were inadequate for 64.71 per cent, fruits were inadequate for 38.24 per cent, milk was inadequate for 35.29 per cent, and egg were inadequate for 38.24 per cent of the households.  The results indicated that, Lower fertility status of the soil was the constraint experienced by 88.24 per cent of the households, wild animal menace on farm field (35.29%), frequent incidence of pest and diseases (55.88%), inadequacy of irrigation water (26.47%), high cost of Fertilizers and plant protection chemicals (38.24%), high rate of interest on credit (14.71%), low price for the agricultural commodities (11.76%), lack of marketing facilities in the area (11.76%), inadequate extension services (8.82%), lack of transport for safe transport of the agricultural produce to the market (29.41%), less rainfall (47.06%) and source of agri-technology information (14.71%). ; Watershed Development Department, Government of Karnataka (World Bank Funded) Sujala –III Project