LAND RESOURCE INVENTORY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF FARM HOUSEHOLDS FOR WATERSHED PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT SIDGANHALLI-1 (4D4A1R1b) MICROWATERSHED Irakallagada Hobli, Koppal Taluk & District, Karnataka ; Not Available

Abstract

Not Available ; The land resource inventory of Sidganhalli-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 406 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 98 per cent is covered by soils, 1 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 30 soil phases (management units) and 7 Land Management Units.  The length of crop growing period is 150 cm).  About 1 per cent area in the microwatershed has sandy soils, 45 per cent area in the microwatershed has loamy soils and 52 per cent clayey soils at the surface.  About 23 per cent area has non-gravelly (200 mm/m) in available water capacity.  About 14 per cent area of the microwatershed has nearly level (0-1% slope) lands and 84 per cent area of the microwatershed has very gently sloping (1-3% slope) lands.  An area of about 61 per cent area is moderately (e2) eroded and about 37 per cent area is slightly (e1) eroded.  An area of about 24 per cent soils are slightly acid (pH 6.0-6.5), 68 per cent soils are neutral (pH 6.5-7.3) and 6 per cent soil are slightly alkaline (pH 7.3-7.8) in soil reaction.  The Electrical Conductivity (EC) of the soils in the entire cultivated area of the microwatershed is 0.75%) in 88 per cent area of the microwatershed.  An area of about 6 per cent is medium (23-57 kg/ha) and 92 per cent is high (>57 kg/ha) in available phosphorus.  An area of about 1 per cent is low (337 kg/ha) in available potassium.  Available sulphur is medium (10 -20 ppm) in 37 per cent and high (>20 ppm) in 61 per cent area of the microwatershed.  An area of about 28 per cent is low (1.0 ppm) in available boron content.  An area of about 98 per cent is sufficient (>4.5 ppm) and 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 15 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 31(8) 193(48) Sapota 22(6) 132(32) Maize 22(6) 202(50) Pomegranate 22(6) 186(46) Bajra 48(12) 296(73) Guava 22(6) 132(32) Groundnut 42(10) 231(57) Jackfruit 22(6) 132(32) Sunflower 22(6) 108(27) Jamun 22(6) 183(45) Cotton 9(2) 212(52) Musambi 22(6) 183(45) Red gram 22(6) 93(23) Lime 22(6) 183(45) Bengalgram 43(10) 195(48) Cashew 6(1) 132(32) Chilli 22(6) 148(36) Custard apple 57(14) 338(83) Tomato 22(6) 148(36) Amla 48(12) 347(86) Brinjal 51(13) 166(41) Tamarind - 89(22) Onion 51(13) 144(38) Marigold 22(6) 203(50) Bhendi 51(13) 165(41) Chrysanthemum 22(6) 203(50) Drumstick 22(6) 151(37) Jasmine 22(6) 148(36) Mulberry 31(8) 231(57) Crossandra 22(6) 157(39) Mango - 56(14)  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. FINDINGS OF THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC SURVEY  The survey was conducted in Sidganhalli-1 mciro-watershed is located at 15032'36.447'' to 150 31'0.831'' North and 760 15' 6.335'' to 76013'19.854'' covering an area of about 248.49 ha coming under Shidaganahalli, Hiresoolikeri and Chilkamukki villages of Koppal taluk.  Socio-economic analysis indicated that, out of the total sample of 35 6 (17.14%) were landless and semi medium farmers, 8 (22.86%) were marginal, 11 (31.43%) were small farmers and 4 (11.43%) medium farmers.  The population characteristics of households indicated that, there were 104 (57.78%) men and 76 (42.22%) women among the sampled households.  The average family size of landless farmers' was 3.8, marginal farmers' was 5, small farmers' was 4.9, semi medium farmers' was 7 and medium farmers were 5.25.  Majority of the respondents 36 (20%) people were in 0-15 years of age, 84 (46.67%) were in 16-35 years of age, 44 (24.44%) were in 36-60 years of age and 16 (8.89%) were above 61 years of age.  Education level of the sample households indicated that, majority there were 26.67 per cent of them had primary school, 6.67 per cent of them had Middle school and PUC education, 7.22 per cent of them had high school, 0.56 per cent of them had diploma and ITI and 2.78 per cent of them had degree education.  About, 88.57 per cent of household heads were practicing agriculture and 11.43 per cent of the household heads were agricultural laborers.  Agriculture was the major occupation for 28.89 per cent of the household members, 47.22 per cent were agricultural laborers, 0.56 per cent were household industry, 16.11 per cent student, 0.56 per cent were housewives and 6.67 per cent were children.  The household possess, 100 per cent of the population in the micro watershed has not participated in local institutions.  In the study area, 82.86 per cent of the households possess katcha house and 2.86 per cent of the households possess pucca/RCC.  The durable assets owned by the households showed that, 48.57 per cent of the households possess TV, 11.43 per cent of the households possess mixer/grinder, 34.29 per cent of the household's posses motor cycle, 2.86 per cent of the households possess tempo and 85.71 per cent of the households possess mobile phones.  Farm implements owned by the households indicated that, 17.14 per cent each of the households possess bullock cart and plough, 11.43 per cent of the households possess sprayer and 14.29 per cent of the households possess weeder. 2  Regarding livestock possession by the households, 28.57 per cent of the households possess bullocks, 11.43 per cent of the households possess local cow and 2.86 per cent of the households possess crossbreed cow.  The average own labour men available in the micro watershed was 10.91, average own labour (women) available was 6.71, average hired labour (men) available was 11.86 and average hired labour (women) available was 12.71.  Out of the total land holding of the sample respondents 25.67 ha (60.85%) of dry land and 16.529 ha (39.15%) of irrigated land.  Marginal farmers possess 5.32 ha (91.63%) of dry land and 0.49 ha (8.37%) of irrigated land.  Small farmers possess 10.64 ha (78.91%) of dry land and 2.85 ha (21.09%) of irrigated land.  Semi medium farmers possess 8.72 ha (100%) of irrigated land. Medium farmers possess 9.71 ha (68.49%) of dry land and 4.47 ha (31.51%) of irrigated land.  There were 14 functioning and 9 de-functioning bore wells in the micro watershed.  Bore well was the major irrigation source in the micro water shed for 23.53 per cent of the farmers.  The major crops have grown maize (22.57 ha), Bajra (7.56 ha), groundnut (6.76 ha), paddy (5.67 ha), cowpea (0.4 ha), Bangalore brinjal (0.2 ha) and tomato (0.2 ha). The cropping intensity in Sidganhalli-1 Micro-watershed was found to be 91.46 per cent  The sample households possessed 68.57 per cent of the households have bank and savings account.  About 68.57 per cent of the households have availed credit from different sources.  The per hectare cost of cultivation for Maize, paddy groundnut, tomato, Bajra, brinjal and cowpea was Rs. 37869.79, 43435.09, 47480.32, 101924.65, 26809.92, 101924.65 and 41007.30 with benefit cost ratio of 1:1.1, 1:3.14, 1:2.0, 1:0.78, 1:1.19, 1:0.78 and 1:0.48 respectively.  Further, 34.29 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was adequate, 5.71 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was inadequate and green fodder was adequate and 2.86 per cent of the households opined that green fodder was inadequate.  The average annual gross income was Rs Rs. 33,333.33 for landless farmers, for marginal farmers it was Rs. 62,675, for small farmers it was Rs. 74,454.55, semi medium farmers it was Rs.165,833.33 and medium farmers it was Rs. 257,500.  The average annual expenditure is Rs.11,387.66, for landless farmers it was Rs. 2,555.56, for marginal farmers it was Rs. 4,604.17, for small farmers it was Rs. 3,801.65, for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 27,222.22 and for medium farmers it was Rs. 35,312.50. 3  Sampled households have planted 14 coconut and 2 mango trees in their field to cultivate horticultural crops.  Households have planted 16 neem and 2 acacia trees in their field to cultivate forest species.  Households have an average investment capacity of Rs. 617.14 for land development and Rs. 200 for improved crop production.  Source of funds for additional investment is concerned; loan from bank was the source of additional investment for 5.71 per cent for land development and 2.86 per cent for improved crop production. Soft loan was the source of additional investment for 5.71 per cent for land development.  Regarding marketing channels, 31.43 per cent of the farmers sold their produce to agent/traders, 5.71 per cent of the farmers sold their produce to local/village merchant and 68.57 per cent of the farmers sold their produce to regulated market.  Further, 2.86 per cent of the households have used head load, 100 per cent of the households used tractor and 2.86 per cent of the households used truck as a mode of transportation.  Majority of the households 65.71 per cent have incidence of soil and water erosion problems.  The household possess, (65.71%) were interested towards soil testing.  The households possess 100 per cent of the households used fire wood as a source of fuel.  Piped supply was the major source of drinking water for 74.29 per cent and 25.71 per cent of the households used bore well in the micro watershed.  Electricity was the major source of light for 100 per cent of the households. In the study area, 40 per cent of the households possess sanitary toilet facility.  Regarding possession of PDS card, 97.14 per cent of the households possess BPL cards and 2.86 per cent of the sampled households does not possessed PDS cards.  Cereals were adequate for 88.57 per cent of the households, pulses were adequate for 74.29 per cent, oilseeds and vegetables were adequate for 28.57 per cent, fruits were adequate for 48.57 per cent, milk were adequate for 34.29 per cent, egg were adequate for 14.29 per cent and meat were adequate for 25.71 per cent of the households.  Cereals were inadequate for 11.43 per cent of the households, pulses were inadequate for 22.86 per cent, oilseed were inadequate for 74.29 per cent, vegetables were inadequate for 65.71 per cent, fruits were inadequate for 34.29 per cent, milk were inadequate for 37.14 per cent, egg were inadequate for 82.86 per cent and meat were inadequate for 68.57 per cent of the households.  Farming constraints experienced by households in the micro watersheds were lower fertility status of the soil was the constraint experienced by 71.43 per cent 4 of the households, wild animal menace on farm field (74.29%), frequent incidence of pest and diseases and Inadequacy of irrigation water (37.14 %), high cost of fertilizer and plant protection chemicals (25.71%), high rate of interest on credit (11.43%), Low price for the agricultural commodities (14.29%), lack of marketing facilities in the area (25.71%), inadequate extension service (2.86%), Lack of transport for safe transport of the Agril produce to the market (34.29%), less rainfall (37.14%) and Source of Agri-technology information (40%). ; Watershed Development Department, Government of Karnataka (World Bank Funded) Sujala –III Project