LAND RESOURCE INVENTORY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF FARM HOUSEHOLDS FOR WATERSHED PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT GUDIGERE NORTH-4 (4D4A2N1d) MICROWATERSHED Koppal Taluk & District, Karnataka ; Not Available
Not Available ; The land resource inventory of Gudigere North-4microwatershed 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 373 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 99 per cent is covered by soil and 1 per cent by habitation and water body. The salient findings from the land resource inventory are summarized briefly below The soils belong to 4 soil series and 7 soil phases (management units) and 3 land management units. The length of crop growing period is 150 cm) soils. Entire area in the microwatershed is clayey at the surface. About 78 per cent of the area has non-gravelly (200 mm/m) in available water capacity. Entire area in the microwatershed is very gently sloping (1-3%) lands. Entire area in the microwatershed is moderately eroded (e2) lands. An area of about 97per cent is strongly alkaline (pH 8.4-9.0) and 2 per cent is very strongly alkaline (pH >9.0) in reaction. The Electrical Conductivity (EC) of the soils are dominantly 337 kg/ha) in available potassium. Available sulphur is low (4.5 ppm) in 6 per cent area of the soils. Available zinc is deficient (<0.6 ppm) in the entire 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 - 202(54) Sapota - - Maize - 202(54) Pomegranate - 201(54) Bajra - 202(54) Musambi - 201(54) Groundnut - - Lime - 201(54) Sunflower - 201(54) Amla - - Redgram - 201(54) Cashew - - Bengal gram - 202(54) Jackfruit - - Cotton - 201(54) Jamun - - Chilli - 202(54) Custard apple - 202(54) Tomato - - Tamarind - - Brinjal - - Mulberry - - Onion - - Marigold - 202(54) Bhendi - 202(54) Chrysanthemum - 202(54) Drumstick - - Jasmine - - Mango - - Crossandra - - Guava - - Apart from the individual crop suitability, a proposed crop plan has been prepared for the 3 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 conserves 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 Gudigere North-4 is located at North latitude 150 23' 32.567" and 150 22' 14.481" and East longitude 750 55' 17.567'' and 750 53' 48.995" covering an area of about 386.01 ha coming under Bannikoppa and Hallikere Villages of Koppal taluk. Socio-economic analysis of Gudigere North-4 micro watersheds of Gudigere subwatershed, Koppala taluk & District indicated that, out of the total sample of 35 total respondents, 21 (60.00 %) were marginal, 5 (14.29%)were small and 4 (11.43 %) were Semi medium farmers. The population characteristics of households indicated that, there were 75 (53.96%) men and 64 (46.04 %) were women. Majority of the respondents (38.85%) were in the age group of 16-35 years. Education level of the sample households indicated that, there were 32.37 per cent illiterates, 58.99 per cent pre university education and 7.91 per cent attained graduation. About, 71.43 per cent of household heads practicing agriculture and 20.00 per cent of the household heads were engaged as agricultural labourers. Agriculture was the major occupation for 56.12 per cent of the household members. In the study area, 97.14 per cent of the households possess katcha house. The durable assets owned by the households showed that, 91.43 per cent possess TV, 88.57 per cent possess mobile phones and 40.00 per cent possess motor cycles. The average labour availability in the study area showed that, own labour men available in the micro watershed was 9.50, women available in the micro watershed was 1.17, hired labour (men) available was 9.43 and hired labour (women) available was 9.5. Out of the total land holding of the sample respondents 100.00 per cent (34.42 ha) of the area is under dry condition. The major crops grown by sample farmers are Bengala gram and Sorghum and cropping intensity was recorded as 85.47 per cent. About 28.57 per cent of the respondents borrowed credit from various sources. The per hectare cost of cultivation for Bengala gram and Sorghum was Rs.38226.83 and 28298.62 with benefit cost ratio of 1:3.02 and 1:2.30 respectively. Further, 2.86 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was adequate. The average annual gross income of the farmers was Rs. 60000.00 in microwatershed, of which Rs. 60000.00 comes from agriculture. Sampled households have grown 8 forestry trees together in the fields and back yards. Households have an average investment capacity of Rs. 1000.00 for land development. Source of funds for additional investment is concerned, 17.14 per cent depends on bank loan for land development activities. 2 Regarding marketing channels, 102.86 per cent of the households have sold agricultural produce to the local/village merchants. Further, 102.86 per cent of the households have used tractor for the transport of agriculture commodity. Fire was the major source of fuel for domestic use for 71.43 per cent of the households and 28.57 per cent households has LPG connection. Piped supply was the major source for drinking water for 17.14 per cent of the households. Electricity was the major source of light for 100.00 per cent of the households. In the study area, 48.57 per cent of the households possess toilet facility. Regarding possession of PDS card, 97.14 per cent of the households possessed BPL card and 2.86 per cent of the household's were not having ration cards. Households opined that, the requirement of cereals (100.00%), pulses (88.57%) and oilseeds (31.43%) are adequate for consumption. Farming constraints experienced by households in the micro watersheds were lower fertility status of the soil (85.71%) wild animal menace on farm field (82.86%), frequent incidence of pest and diseases (71.43%), inadequacy of irrigation water (5.71%), high cost of fertilizers and plant protection chemicals (80.00%), high rate of interest on credit (48.57%), low price for the agricultural commodities (48.57%), lack of marketing facilities in the area (57.14%), inadequate extension services (5.71%), lack of transport for safe transport of the agricultural produce to the market (57.14%). ; Watershed Development Department, Government of Karnataka (World Bank Funded) Sujala –III Project