LAND RESOURCE INVENTORY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF FARM HOUSEHOLDS FOR WATERSHED PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT BUKANHATTI-1 (4D3A9O1b) MICRO WATERSHED Koppal Taluk and District, Karnataka ; Not Available

Abstract

Not Available ; The land resource inventory of Bukanhatti-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 445 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 100 per cent is covered by soil and 150 cm) soils.  About 75 per cent loamy (sandy loam and sandy clay loam) and 25 per cent has clayey (sandy clay and clay) soils at the surface.  About 19 per cent of the area has non-gravelly (200 mm/m) in available water capacity.  An area of about 21 per cent is nearly level (0-1%) and 79 per cent is very gently sloping (1-3%) lands.  An area of about 21 per cent is slightly eroded (e1) and 79 per cent is moderately eroded (e2) lands.  An area of about an area of about 38 per cent is moderately acid (pH 5.5-6.0), 21 per cent is slightly acid (pH 6.0-6.5), 32 per cent is neutral (pH 6.5-7.30) and 9 per cent is slightly alkaline (pH 7.3-7.8) in reaction.  The Electrical Conductivity (EC) of the soils are 0.75%) in 27 per cent area of the soils.  Available phosphorus is medium (23-57 kg/ha) in 88 per cent and high (>57 kg/ha) in 12 per cent area of the soils.  Available potassium is low (337 kg/ha) in 13 per cent area of the soils.  Available sulphur is low (4.5 ppm) in 81 per cent area of the microwatershed.  Available zinc is deficient (>0.6 ppm) in 79 per cent and sufficient (>0.6 ppm) in 21 per cent area of the microwatershed.  Available manganese and copper are sufficient in the entire area of the microwatershed.  The land suitability for 31 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 - 283(64) Sapota 83(19) 158(35) Maize - 283(64) Pomegranate 83(19) 205(46) Bajra 37(8) 406(92) Musambi 83(19) 205(46) Groundnut 46(10) 323(73) Lime 83(19) 205(46) Sunflower - 283(64) Amla 83(18) 361(82) Redgram - 283(64) Cashew 83(19) 158(35) Bengal gram 47(11) - Jackfruit 83(19) 158(35) Cotton 47(11) 190(43) Jamun 46(10) 157(36) Chilli - 283(64) Custard apple 83(18) 361(82) Tomato - 236(53) Tamarind 46(10) 110(25) Brinjal - 283(64) Mulberry 83(19) 158(35) Onion - 236(53) Marigold - 283(64) Bhendi - 283(64) Chrysanthemum - 283(64) Drumstick 83(19) 205(46) Jasmine - 236(53) Mango 46(10) 110(25) Crossandra - 236(53) Guava 83(19) 158(35)  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 and drainage line 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 Bukanhatti-1 is located at North latitude 150 37' 30.014" and 150 36' 0.171" and East longitude 760 15' 35.377'' and 760 13' 45.421" covering an area of about 536.67 ha coming under Bukanhatti and Uchalkunti villages of Koppal taluk.  Socio-economic analysis of Bukanhatti-1 micro watersheds of Chik Bamanhal sub-watershed, Koppala taluk & District indicated that, out of the total sample of 36 farmers were sampled in Bukanhatti-1 micro-watershed among households surveyed 6 (16.67%) were marginal, 10 (27.78%) were small, 13 (36.11 %) were semi medium and 2 (5.56 %) were medium farmers. 5 landless farmers were also interviewed for the survey.  The population characteristics of households indicated that, there were 107 (58.15%) men and 77 (41.85 %) were women. The average population of landless was 5, marginal farmers were 5.7, small farmers were 4.9, semi medium farmers were 5.2 and medium farmers were 4.  Majority of the respondents (44.57%) were in the age group of 16-35 years.  Education level of the sample households indicated that, there were 44.02 per cent illiterates, 60.86 per cent pre university education and 3.80 per cent attained graduation.  About, 80.56 per cent of household heads practicing agriculture and 8.33 per cent of the household heads were engaged as agricultural labourers.  Agriculture was the major occupation for 55.98 per cent of the household members.  In the study area, 27.78 per cent of the households possess katcha house and 5.56 per cent possess pucca house.  The durable assets owned by the households showed that, 38.89 per cent possess TV, 5.56 per cent possess mixer grinder, 94.44 per cent possess mobile phones and 52.78 per cent possess motor cycles.  Farm implements owned by the households indicated that, 30.56 per cent of the households possess plough, 5.56 per cent possess tractor, 22.22 per cent possess bullock cart and 19.44 per cent possess sprayer.  Regarding livestock possession by the households, 19.44 per cent possess local cow.  The average labour availability in the study area showed that, own labour men available in the micro watershed was 32.81, women available in the micro watershed was 24.64, hired labour (men) available was 33.92 and hired labour (women) available was 31.  Further, 27.78 per cent of the households opined that hired labour was inadequate during the agricultural season. 2  Out of the total land holding of the sample respondents 91.28 per cent (58.26 ha) of the area is under dry condition and the remaining 8.72 per cent area is irrigated land.  There were 5.00 live bore wells and 6.00 dry bore wells among the sampled households.  Bore/open well was the major source of irrigation for 13.89 per cent of the households.  The major crops grown by sample farmers are Maize, Sorghum, Red gram, Groundnut and cropping intensity was recorded as 100.01 per cent.  Out of the sample households 83.33 percent possessed bank account.  Among the credit borrowed by households, 33.33 per cent from cooperative/ Grameena bank.  Majority of the respondents (100.00%) have borrowed loan for agriculture purpose.  Regarding the opinion on institutional sources of credit, 20.00 per cent of the households opined that credit helped to perform timely agricultural operations.  The per hectare cost of cultivation for Maize, Sorghum, Red gram and Groundnut was Rs.50304.88, 45989.61, 28515.49 and 98936.02 with benefit cost ratio of 1:1.00, 1: 1.20, 1: 1.30 and 1: 1.60 respectively.  Further, 33.33 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was adequate and 33.33 per cent of the households have opined that the green fodder was adequate.  The average annual gross income of the farmers was Rs. 46944.44 in microwatershed, of which Rs. 40694.44 comes from agriculture.  Sampled households have grown 13 horticulture trees and 34 forestry trees together in the fields and back yards.  Households have an average investment capacity of Rs. 250.00 for land development.  Source of funds for additional investment is concerned, 13.89 per cent depends on bank loan for land development activities.  Regarding marketing channels, 119.44 per cent of the households have sold agricultural produce to the local/village merchants.  Further, 119.44 per cent of the households have used tractor for the transport of agriculture commodity.  Majority of the farmers (33.33%) have experienced soil and water erosion problems in the watershed and 80.56 per cent of the households were interested towards soil testing.  Fire was the major source of fuel for domestic use for 91.67 per cent of the households and 5.56 per cent households has LPG connection. 3  Piped supply was the major source for drinking water for 72.22 per cent of the households.  Electricity was the major source of light for 100.00 per cent of the households.  In the study area, 36.11 per cent of the households possess toilet facility.  Regarding possession of PDS card, 97.22 per cent of the households possessed BPL card and 2.78 per cent of the household's were not having ration cards.  Households opined that, the requirement of cereals (100.00%), pulses (94.29%) and oilseeds (2.86%) are adequate for consumption.  Farming constraints experienced by households in the micro watersheds were lower fertility status of the soil (38.89%) wild animal menace on farm field (41.67%), frequent incidence of pest and diseases (83.33%), inadequacy of irrigation water (88.89%), high cost of fertilizers and plant protection chemicals (88.89%), high rate of interest on credit (86.11%), low price for the agricultural commodities (86.11%), lack of marketing facilities in the area (86.11%), inadequate extension services (88.89%) and lack of transport for safe transport of the agricultural produce to the market (83.33%). ; Watershed Development Department, Government of Karnataka (World Bank Funded) Sujala –III Project