LAND RESOURCE INVENTORY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF FARM HOUSEHOLDS FOR WATERSHED PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT SIDGANHALLI-2 (4D4A1R1g) MICROWATERSHED Irakallagada Hobli, Koppal Taluk & District, Karnataka ; Not Available

Abstract

Not Available ; The land resource inventory of Sidganhalli-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 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 808 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 96 per cent is covered by soils, 1 per cent by mining and industrial area, 2 per cent by rock outcrops and 1 per cent is by habitation and settlements. The salient findings from the land resource inventory are summarized briefly below.  The soils belong to 16 soil series and 27 soil phases (management units) and 7 Land Management Units.  The length of crop growing period is 150 cm).  About 11 per cent area in the microwatershed has sandy soils, 68 per cent area in the microwatershed has loamy soils and 17 per cent clayey soils at the surface.  About 36 per cent area has non-gravelly (200 mm/m) in available water capacity.  About 5 per cent area of the microwatershed has nearly level (0-1% slope) lands and 91 per cent area of the microwatershed has very gently sloping (1-3% slope) lands.  An area of about 78 per cent area is moderately (e2) eroded and about 18 per cent area is slightly (e1) eroded.  An area of about 42 per cent soils are moderately acid to slightly acid (pH 5.5-6.5), 26 per cent soils are neutral (pH 6.5-7.3) and 28 per cent soil are slightly alkaline to strongly alkaline (pH 7.3-9.0) in soil reaction.  The Electrical Conductivity (EC) of the soils in the entire cultivated area of the microwatershed is 0.75%) in 46 per cent area of the microwatershed.  An area of about 1 per cent is medium (23-57 kg/ha) and 94 per cent is high (>57 kg/ha) in available phosphorus.  An area of about 337 kg/ha) in available potassium.  Available sulphur is medium (10 -20 ppm) in 48 per cent area and high (>20 ppm) in 48 per cent area of the microwatershed.  An area of about 59 per cent is low (1.0 ppm) in available boron content.  An area of about 64 per cent is sufficient (>4.5 ppm) and 32 per cent is deficient (1.0 ppm) in available manganese content.  Entire cultivated area of the microwatershed is sufficient (>0.2 ppm) in available copper content.  An area of about 41 per cent is deficient (0.6 ppm) in available zinc content.  The land suitability for 31 major crops grown in the microwatershed was 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 77(9) 301(37) Sapota 44(5) 274(34) Maize 44(5) 334(41) Pomegranate 44(5) 425(53) Bajra 44(5) 655(81) Guava 44(5) 274(34) Groundnut - 465(58) Jackfruit 44(5) 274(34) Sunflower 77(9) 195(24) Jamun - 417(52) Cotton 33(4) 345(43) Musambi 77(9) 392(49) Red gram 44(5) 228(28) Lime 77(9) 392(49) Bengalgram 57(7) 445(55) Cashew 44(5) 269(33) Chilli 44(5) 183(23) Custard apple 102(13) 670(83) Tomato 44(5) 183(23) Amla 44(5) 729(90) Brinjal 69(9) 336(42) Tamarind - 195(24) Onion 44(5) 234(29) Marigold 44(5) 334(41) Bhendi 44(5) 362(45) Chrysanthemum 44(5) 334(41) Drumstick 44(5) 253(31) Jasmine 44(5) 183(23) Mulberry 44(5) 498(68) Crossandra 44(5) 183(23) Mango - 98(12) Apart from the individual crop suitability, a proposed crop plan has been prepared for the 7 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. 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 114 (52.53%) men and 103 (47.47%) women among the sampled households.  The average family size of landless farmers' was 5, marginal farmers' was 6.33, small farmers' was 5.2, semi medium farmers' was 5.9, medium farmers' was 8.63 and large farmers' was 6.5.  The data indicated that, 39 (17.97%) people were in 0-15 years of age, 115 (53%) were in 16-35 years of age, 54 (24.88%) were in 36-60 years of age and 9 (4.15%) were above 61 years of age.  The results indicated that Sidganahalli-2 had 25.81 per cent illiterates, 27.65 per cent of them had primary school education, 11.52 per cent of them had middle school education, 17.51 per cent of them had high school education, 6.45 per cent of them had PUC education, 1.38 per cent had diploma, 0.92 per cent did ITI, 4.61 per cent of them had degree education, 1.84 per cent did masters and 0.46 per cent of them did PhD.  The results indicate that, 67.65 per cent of household heads were practicing agriculture and 32.35 per cent of the household heads were agricultural labourers.  The results indicate that agriculture was the major occupation for 54.84 per cent of the household members, 10.60 per cent were agricultural laborers, 1.84 per cent were in government service, 2.76 per cent were in private service, 2.76 per cent were in trade and business, 21.20 per cent were students, 1.84 per cent were children and 4.15 per cent were housewives.  The results show that, 0.46 per cent of the households participated in NGO and 99.54 per cent of the population in the micro watershed has not participated in any local institutions.  The results indicate that 41.18 per cent of the households possess thatched house, 8.82 per cent of the households possess katcha house and 52.94 per cent of them possess pucca/RCC house.  The results show that 100 per cent of the households possess TV, 94.12 per cent of them possess mixer/grinder, 55.88 per cent of the households possess motor cycle and 97.06 per cent of the households possess mobile phones.  The results show that the average value of television was Rs. 6,382, mixer grinder was Rs. 3,030, motor cycle was Rs. 34,473 and mobile phone was Rs. 1,350.  About 38.24 per cent of the households possess bullock cart, 44.12 per cent of them possess plough, 5.88 per cent of them possess power tiller, 8.82 per cent possess tractor, 58.82 per cent of them possess sprayer and 85.29 per cent of them possess weeder. 2  The results show that the average value of bullock cart was Rs. 17,538, plough was Rs. 2,600, power tiller was Rs. 25,000, tractor was Rs. 533,333, sprayer was Rs. 3,742 and the average value of weeder was Rs.36.  The results indicate that, 47.06 per cent of the households possess bullocks, 61.76 per cent of the households possess local cow, 2.94 per cent possess buffalo and 2.94 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 1.86, average hired labour (men) available was 7.69 and average hired labour (women) available was 7.55.  The results indicate that, 88.24 per cent of the households opined that the hired labour was adequate.  The results indicate that, households of the Sidganahalli-2 micro-watershed possess 25.59 ha (38.53%) of dry land and 40.83 ha (61.47%) of irrigated land. Marginal farmers possess 1.42 ha (76.96%) of dry land and 0.43 ha (23.31%) of irrigated land. Small farmers possess 6.27 ha (82.89%) of dry land and 1.30 ha (17.11%) of irrigated land. Semi medium farmers possess 7.28 ha (39.41%) of dry land and 11.20 ha (60.59%) of irrigated land. Medium farmers possess 4.95 ha (21.14%) of dry land and 18.45 ha (78.86%) of irrigated land. Large farmers possess 5.67 ha (37.45%) of dry land and 9.46 ha (62.55%) of irrigated land.  The results indicate that, the average value of dry land was Rs. 386,669.83 and the average value of irrigated land was Rs. 443,082.26. In case of marginal famers, the average land value was Rs. 842,045.43 for dry land and Rs. 1,846,728.88 for irrigated land. In case of small famers, the average land value was Rs. 430,258.06 for dry land and Rs. 1,234,999.98 for irrigated land. In case of semi medium famers, the average land value was Rs. 397,944.44 for dry land and Rs. 598,084.57 for irrigated land. In case of medium farmers, the average land value was Rs. 384,042.55 for dry land and Rs. 384,752.08 for irrigated land. In case of large farmers it was Rs. 211,714.29 for dry land and Rs. 200,727.12 for irrigated land.  The results indicate that, there were 19 functioning and 8 de-functioning bore wells in the micro watershed.  The results indicate that, there was 1 functioning open well in the micro watershed.  The results indicate that, bore well was the major irrigation source in the micro water shed for 55.88 per cent of the farmers and open well was the major source of irrigation for 2.94 per cent of the farmers.  The results indicate that, the depth of bore well was found to be 59.08 meters and the depth of open well was found to be 0.90 meters.  The results indicate that marginal, small, semi medium, medium and large farmers had an irrigated area of 0.43 ha, 1.30 ha, 9.15 ha, 15.79 ha and 7.29 ha respectively.  The results indicate that, farmers have grown bajra (6.21 ha), cotton (1.21 ha), groundnut (11.49 ha), maize (32.95 ha), mango (3.24 ha), navane (0.81 ha), paddy 3 (2.02 ha) and sunflower (2.02 ha). Marginal farmers have grown bajra and maize while small farmers have grown bajra, groundnut and maize. Semi medium farmers have grown bajra, groundnut, maize, mango, navane and paddy. Medium farmers have grown bajra, cotton, groundnut, maize, mango paddy and sunflower. Large farmers have grown groundnut, maize and mango.  The results indicate that, the cropping intensity in Sidganahalli-2 micro-watershed was found to be 72.18 per cent.  The results indicate that, 82.35 per cent of the households have bank account and savings.  The results indicate that, 82.35 per cent of the households have availed credit from different sources.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for maize was Rs. 25906.52. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 30262.58. The net income from maize cultivation was Rs. 4356.06. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.17.  The total cost of cultivation for green gram was Rs. 68808.04. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 67654.56. The net income from green gram cultivation was Rs. -1153.48. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.98.  The total cost of cultivation for mango was Rs. 86548.76. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 98800. The net income from mango cultivation was Rs. 12251.24. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.14.  The total cost of cultivation for bajra was Rs. 20913.36. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 21082.35. The net income from bajra cultivation was Rs. 169. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.01.  The total cost of cultivation for sunflower was Rs. 11965.51. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 37050. The net income from sunflower cultivation was Rs. 25084.49. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:3.1.  The total cost of cultivation for paddy was Rs. 47294.64. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 154841.56. The net income from paddy cultivation was Rs. 107546.92. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:3.27.  The total cost of cultivation for cotton was Rs. 45974. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 101887.50. The net income from cotton cultivation was Rs. 55913.50. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:2.22.  The total cost of cultivation for navane was Rs. 21407.24. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 22230. The net income from navane cultivation was Rs. 822.76. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.04.  The results indicate that, 64.71 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was adequate and green fodder was adequate for 2.94 per cent of the households.  The results indicate that the annual gross income was Rs. 40,000 for landless farmers, for marginal farmers it was Rs. 77,166.67, for small farmers it was Rs. 4 192,833.33, for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 93,250, for medium farmers it was Rs. 257,812.50 and for large farmers it was Rs. 169,000.  The results indicate that the average annual expenditure is Rs. 6,285.54. For landless households it was Rs. 1,800, for marginal farmers it was Rs. 2,222.22, for small farmers it was Rs. 8,486.11, for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 1,962.50, for medium farmers it was Rs. 11,562.50 and for large farmers it was Rs. 17,500.  The results indicate that, sampled households have grown 65 coconut trees and 640 mango trees in their field.  The results indicate that, households have planted 1 tamarind and 60 neem trees in their field.  The results indicated that, households have an average investment capacity of Rs. 8,235.29 for land development, Rs. 3,441.18 for irrigation facility, Rs. 4,705.88 for improved crop production, Rs. 1,852.94 for improved livestock management and Rs. 88.24 for orchard development and maintenance.  The results indicated that loan from bank was the source of additional investment for 76.47 per cent for land development, for 52.94 per cent for irrigation facility, for 61.76 per cent for improved crop production, for 29.14 per cent for improved livestock management and for 2.94 per cent for orchard development/maintenance. Soft loans were the source of funds for additional investment for 5.88 per cent for land development, 2.94 per cent for improved crop production and for 11.76 per cent for improved livestock management.  The results indicated that, bajra was sold to the extent of 82.5 per cent, cotton was sold to the extent of 87.5 per cent, groundnut was sold to the extent of 76.17 per cent, maize was sold to the extent of 99.69 per cent, mango and sunflower were sold to the extent of 100 per cent, navane was sold to the extent of 83.33 per cent and paddy was sold to the extent of 86.67 per cent.  The results indicated that, about 135.29 per cent of the farmers sold their produce to local/village merchants and 5.88 per cent of them sold their produce through contract marketing arrangement.  The results indicated that, 2.94 per cent of the households used cart, 126.47 per cent of the households used tractor and 8.82 per cent of them used truck as a mode of transportation for their agricultural produce.  The results indicated that, 85.29 per cent of the households have experienced soil and water erosion problems in the farm.  The results indicated that, 85.29 per cent have shown interest in soil test.  The results indicated that, 100 per cent of the households used firewood as a source of fuel.  The results indicated that, piped supply was the major source of drinking water for 61.76 per cent of the households, bore well was the source of drinking water for 5 17.14 per cent and lake/tank was the major source of drinking water for 2.94 per cent of the households in micro watershed.  Electricity was the major source of light for 100 per cent of the households in micro watershed.  The results indicated that, 55.88 per cent of the households possess sanitary toilet facility.  The results indicated that, 94.12 per cent of the sampled households possessed BPL card and 5.88 per cent of the households did not possess PDS card.  The results indicated that, 55.88 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 97.06 per cent, oilseeds were adequate for 2.94 per cent, vegetables were adequate for 85.29 per cent, milk was adequate for 91.18 per cent and eggs were adequate for 11.76 per cent.  The results indicated that, pulses were inadequate for 2.94 per cent of the households, oilseeds were inadequate for 94.12 per cent, vegetables were inadequate for 14.17 per cent, fruits were inadequate for 100 per cent, milk was inadequate for 5.88 per cent, eggs were inadequate for 88.24 per cent and meat was inadequate for 100 per cent of the households.  The results indicated that, oilseeds were market surplus for 2.94 per cent of the households and milk was market surplus for 2.94 per cent of the households.  The results indicated that, lower fertility status of the soil was the constraint experienced by 85.29 per cent of the households, wild animal menace on farm field (85.29%), frequent incidence of pest and diseases (82.35%), inadequacy of irrigation water (20.59%), high cost of fertilizers and plant protection chemicals (88.24%), low price for the agricultural commodities (55.88%), lack of marketing facilities in the area (67.65%), lack of transport for safe transport of the agricultural produce to the market (32.35%) and inadequate extension services (5.88%). ; Watershed Development Department, Government of Karnataka (World Bank Funded) Sujala –III Project