LAND RESOURCE INVENTORY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF FARM HOUSEHOLDS FOR WATERSHED PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT HITNAL (4D3A9D2d) MICRO WATERSHED Koppal Taluk and District, Karnataka

Abstract

The land resource inventory of Hitnal 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 311 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 34 per cent is covered by soil,8 per cent by rockout crops, 3 per cent by Mining/ Industrial area, 12 per cent by water bodies, settlements, 150cm) soils.  About 33 per cent loamy (sandy loam and sandy clay loam) and 2 per cent has clayey (sandy clay and clay) soils at the surface.  About 1 per cent of the area has non-gravelly (200mm/m) in available water capacity.  An area of about 1 per cent has nearly level (0-1%) and 34 per cent has very gently sloping (1-3%) lands.  An area of about 1 per cent is slightly eroded (e1) and 34 per cent is moderately eroded (e2).  An area of about 8 per cent is neutral (pH 6.5 to 7.3), 5 per cent is slightly alkaline (pH 7.3 to 7.8), 21 per cent moderately alkaline (pH 7.8 to 8.4), 9.0).  The Electrical Conductivity (EC) of the soils are 0.75%) in 25 per cent area of the soils.  Available phosphorus is low (57 kg/ha) in 11 per cent area of the soils.  Available potassium is low (337 kg/ha) in 1 per cent area of the soils.  Available sulphur is low (20 ppm) in 13 per cent area of the soils.  Available boron is low (1.0 ppm) in 1 per cent area of the microwatershed.  Available iron is deficient (4.5 ppm) in 19 per cent of the area.  Available zinc is deficient (0.6 ppm) in 29 per cent area of the microwatershed.  Available manganese and copper are sufficient in the entire area.  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 4(1) 59(19) Sapota - 59(19) Maize - 63(20) Pomegranate - 63(20) Bajra - 110(35) Guava - 59(19) Redgram - 63(20) Jackfruit - 59(19) Bengal gram 4(1) - Jamun - 4(1) Groundnut - 106(34) Musambi 4(1) 59(19) Sunflower 4(1) 59(19) Lime 4(1) 59(19) Cotton 4(1) 59(19) Cashew - 59(19) Chilli - 63(20) Custard apple 4(1) 106(34) Tomato - 59(19) Amla - 110(35) Brinjal - 59(19) Tamarind - 4(1) Onion - 59(19) Marigold - 63(20) Bhendi - 63(20) Chrysanthemum - 63 (20) Drumstick - 63(20) Jasmine - 59(19) Mulberry - 59(19) Crossandra - 59(19) Mango - - - - -  Apart from the individual crop suitability, a proposed crop plan has been prepared for the 4 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 plans have 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 Hitnal is located at North latitude 150 20’ 35.836” and 150 19’ 2.884” and East longitude 760 19’ 29.484'' and 760 17’ 1.088” covering an area of about 351.12 ha coming under Hitnal and Chikkasanakandi villages of Koppal taluk.  Socio-economic analysis of Hitnal micro watersheds of Shahpura sub-watershed, Koppala taluk & District indicated that, out of the total sample of 34 total respondents, 10 (29.41 %) were marginal, 6 (17.65%) were small, 9 (26.47 %) were Semi medium and 4 (11.76 %) were medium farmers.  The population characteristics of households indicated that, there were 84 (56.00%) men and 66 (44.00 %) were women.  Majority of the respondents (48.00%) were in the age group of 16-35 years.  Education level of the sample households indicated that, there were 47.33 per cent of illiterates, 18.67 per cent of them had primary school education, 8.67 per cent middle school education, and 7.33 per cent high school education, 11.33 per cent of them had PUC education, 0.67 per cent of them had Diploma, 2.00 per cent attained graduation.  About, 91.18 per cent of household heads practicing agriculture and 8.82 per cent of the household heads were engaged as agricultural labourers.  Agriculture was the major occupation for 21.33 per cent of the household members.  In the study area, 88.24 per cent of the households possess katcha house and 8.82 per cent possess pucca house.  The durable assets owned by the households showed that, 70.59 per cent possess TV, 32.35 per cent possess mixer grinder, 85.29 per cent possess mobile phones and 50.00 per cent possess motor cycles.  Farm implements owned by the households indicated that, 14.71 per cent of the households possess plough, 5.88 per cent possess tractor, 5.88 per cent possess bullock cart and 2.94 per cent possess sprayer.  Regarding livestock possession by the households, 17.65 per cent possess local cow and 2.94 per cent possess buffalo.  The average labour availability in the study area showed that, own men and women labour availability in the micro watershed was 21.71 each, while the hired labour (men) availability was 1.76.  Further, 88.24 per cent of the households opined that hired labour was inadequate during the agricultural season.  Out of the total land holding of the sample respondents 67.15 per cent (45.93 ha) of the area is under dry condition and the remaining 32.85 per cent area is irrigated land. 2  There were 5.00 live bore wells and 3.00 dry bore wells among the sampled households.  Bore/open well was the major source of irrigation for 20.59 per cent of the households.  The major crops grown by sample farmers are Maize, Bajra, Paddy, 0 and 0 and cropping intensity was recorded as 100.00 per cent.  Out of the sample households 85.29 percent possessed bank account and 85.29 per cent of them have savings in the account.  About 85.29 per cent of the respondents borrowed credit from various sources.  Among the credit borrowed by households, 3.45 per cent have borrowed loan from commercial banks.  Majority of the respondents (100.00%) have borrowed loan for agriculture purpose.  Regarding the opinion on institutional sources of credit, 100.00 per cent of the households opined that credit helped to perform timely agricultural operations.  The per hectare cost of cultivation for Maize, Bajra, and Paddy was Rs.22744.14 , 24612.64 and 46877.36 with benefit cost ratio of 1:1.50, 1: 1.02 and 1: 1.20 respectively.  Further, 23.53 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was adequate.  The average annual gross income of the farmers was Rs. 60641.18 in microwatershed, of which Rs. 46611.76 comes from agriculture.  Sampled households have grown 1 horticulture trees and 4 forestry trees together in the fields and back yards.  Regarding marketing channels, 11.76 per cent of the households have sold agricultural produce to the local/village merchants, while, 70.59 per cent have sold in regulated markets.  Further, 82.35 per cent of the households have used tractor for the transport of agriculture commodity.  Majority of the farmers (85.29%) have experienced soil and water erosion problems in the watershed and 82.35 per cent of the households were interested towards soil testing.  Fire was the major source of fuel for domestic use for 100.00 per cent of the households.  Piped supply was the major source for drinking water for 100.00 per cent of the households.  Electricity was the major source of light for 100.00 per cent of the households.  In the study area, 100.00 per cent of the households possess toilet facility.  Regarding possession of PDS card, 100.00 per cent of the households possessed BPL card. 3  Households opined that, the requirement of cereals (91.18%), pulses (88.24%) and oilseeds (17.65%) are adequate for consumption.  Farming constraints experienced by households in the micro watersheds were lower fertility status of the soil (85.29%) wild animal menace on farm field (76.47%), frequent incidence of pest and diseases (55.88%), inadequacy of irrigation water (20.59%), high cost of fertilizers and plant protection chemicals (38.24%), high rate of interest on credit (8.82%), low price for the agricultural commodities (14.71%), lack of marketing facilities in the area (11.76%), inadequate extension services (14.71%), lack of transport for safe transport of the agricultural produce to the market (38.24%), Less rainfall (32.35%) and Source of Agri-technology information (Newspaper/ TV/Mobile) (38.24%)