LAND RESOURCE INVENTORY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF FARM HOUSEHOLDS FOR WATERSHED PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT VIRAPURA-2 (4D4A1Q1e) MICRO WATERSHED Koppal Taluk and District, Karnataka

Abstract

The land resource inventory of Virapura-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 581 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 and 4 per cent is by habitation and settlements. The salient findings from the land resource inventory are summarized briefly below.  The soils belong to 11 soil series and 23 soil phases (management units) and 6 Land Management Units.  The length of crop growing period is 150 cm).  Entire cultivated area of the microwatershed has clayey (sandy clay and clay) soils at the surface.  An area of about 64 per cent area has non-gravelly (200 mm/m) in available water capacity.  An area of about 24 per cent area of the microwatershed has nearly level (0-1% slope) lands and 72 per cent area of the microwatershed has very gently sloping (1- 3% slope) lands.  An area of about 48 per cent area is moderately (e2) eroded and about 48 per cent area is slightly (e1) eroded.  An entire cultivated area of the microwatershed falls under strongly alkaline to very strongly alkaline (pH 8.4->9.0) in soil reaction.  The Electrical Conductivity (EC) of the soils in the entire cultivated area of the microwatershed is <2 dsm-1 indicating that the soils are non-saline.  Organic carbon is high (>0.75%) in 17 per cent area, medium (0.5-0.75%) in 67 per cent area and low (<0.5%) in 12 per cent area of the microwatershed.  An area of about 56 per cent is medium (23-57 kg/ha) and 39 per cent is low (<23 kg/ha) in available phosphorus.  An area of about 8 per cent is medium (145-337 kg/ha) and 88 per cent is high (>337 kg/ha) in available potassium.  Available sulphur is medium (10 -20 ppm) in 29 per cent area and low (<10 ppm) in 67 per cent area of the microwatershed.  An area of about 74 per cent is low (<0.5ppm) and 21 per cent is medium (0.5-1.0 ppm) in available boron content.  An area of about 23 per cent is sufficient (>4.5 ppm) and 73 per cent is deficient (<4.5 ppm) in available iron content.  Entire cultivated area of the microwatershed is sufficient (>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 95 per cent is deficient (<0.6 ppm) and <1 per cent is sufficient (>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 125(21) 325(56) Sapota - - Maize - 450(78) Pomegranate - 366(63) Bajra - 450(78) Guava - - Groundnut - - Jackfruit - - Sunflower 77(13) 289(50) Jamun - 230(40) Cotton 125(21) 325(56) Musambi 77(13) 289(50) Red gram - 288(49) Lime 77(13) 289(50) Bengalgram 125(21) 326(56) Cashew - - Chilli - 72(12) Custard apple 125(21) 325(56) Tomato - 7(1) Amla 7(1) 443(76) Brinjal - 449(78) Tamarind - 230(40) Onion - - Marigold - 449(78) Bhendi - 449(78) Chrysanthemum - 449(78) Drumstick - 366(63) Jasmine - 83(14) Mulberry - 194(33) Crossandra - 150(26) Mango - -  Apart from the individual crop suitability, a proposed crop plan has been prepared for the 6 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 111 (54.95%) men and 91 (45.05%) women among the sampled households.  The average family size of landless farmers’ was 4.4, marginal farmers’ and small farmers’ was 4.5, semi medium farmers’ was 4.75 and medium farmers’ was 6.  The data indicated that, 40 (20.79%) people were in 0-15 years of age, 78 (38.61%) were in 16-35 years of age, 63 (31.19%) were in 36-60 years of age and 19 (9.41%) were above 61 years of age.  The results indicated that Virapura-2 had 17.82 per cent illiterates, 26.73 per cent of them had primary school education, 1.49 per cent of them had middle school education, 28.22 per cent of them had high school education, 10.89 per cent of them had PUC education, 0.99 per cent had diploma education, 0.50 per cent of them did ITI and 10.40 per cent of them had degree level education.  The results indicate that, 76.74 per cent of household heads were practicing agriculture and 23.26 per cent of the household heads were agricultural labour.  The results indicate that agriculture was the major occupation for 33.66 per cent of the household members, 39.11 per cent were agricultural labourers, 20.79 per cent were students, 2.48 per cent were housewives and 2.97 per cent were children.  The results show that, 0.50 per cent were in cooperative bank and 99.50 per cent of the population in the micro watershed has not participated in any local institutions.  The results indicate that 95.35 per cent of the households possess katcha house and 4.65 per cent of the households possess semi pacca house.  The results show that 79.07 per cent of the households possess TV, 55.81 per cent of them possess mixer/grinder, 2.33 per cent of them possess refrigerator and computer/laptop, 32.56 per cent of them possess bicycle, 51.16 per cent of them possess motor cycle and 93.02 per cent of them possess mobile phones.  The results show that the average value of television was Rs. 5,600, mixer grinder was Rs. 1,231, refrigerator was Rs. 13,000, bicycle was 764, motor cycle was Rs. 31,043, mobile phones was 31,043 and computer/laptop was Rs. 32,000.  About 16.28 per cent of the households possess bullock cart, 41.86 per cent of them possess plough, 11.63 per cent of them possess seed/fertilizer drill and tractor, 2.33 per cent of them possess irrigation pump and harvester, 4.65 per cent of them possess power tiller, 13.95 per cent of them possess sprayer, 69.77 per cent of them possess weeder, 18.60 per cent of them possess chaff cutter and 9.30 of them possess earth remover.  The results show that the average value of bullock cart was Rs. 13,428, plough was Rs. 4,338, seed/fertilizer drill was Rs. 2,900, irrigation pump was Rs. 15,000, power tiller was Rs.75,000, tractor was Rs. 280,000, sprayer was Rs. 2,283, weeder was 2 Rs.41, harvester was Rs.100, chaff cutter was Rs. 2,012 and earth remover/ duster was Rs. 11,000.  The results indicate that, 16.28 per cent of the households possess bullocks, 13.95 per cent of the households possess local cow, 9.30 per cent possess crossbreed cow and 2.33 per cent of them possess buffalo.  The results indicate that, average own labour men available in the micro watershed was 1.63, average own labour (women) available was 1.18, average hired labour (men) available was 21.18 and average hired labour (women) available was 21.32.  The results indicate that 44.19 per cent of the households opined that the hired labour was adequate and hired labour was inadequate.  The results indicate that, households of the Virapura-2 micro-watershed possess 50.03 ha (79.67 %) of dry land and 12.77 ha (20.33 %) of irrigated land. Marginal farmers possess 5.51 ha (100%) of dry land. Small farmers possess 28.13 ha (97.20%) of dry land and 0.81 ha (2.80%) of irrigated land. Semi medium farmers possess 10.71 ha (72.28%) of dry land and 4.11 (27.72%) for irrigated land. Medium farmers possess 5.68 ha (41.97%) for dry land and 7.85 ha (58.03 %) for irrigated land.  The results indicate that, the average value of dry land was Rs. 311,697.20 and the average value of irrigated land was Rs. 328,811.42. In case of marginal famers, the average land value was Rs. 852,975.77 for dry land. In case of small famers, the average land value was Rs. 266,470.19 for dry land and Rs. 1,235,000 for irrigated land. In case of semi medium famers, the average land value was Rs. 289,380.20 for dry land and Rs. 413,694.59 for irrigated land. In case of medium farmers, the average land value was Rs. 52,815.40 for dry land and Rs. 190,979.39 for irrigated land.  The results indicate that, there were 3 functioning and 1 de-functioning bore wells in the micro watershed.  The results indicate that, bore well was the major irrigation source in the micro watershed for 6.98 per cent of the farmers and canal was the irrigation source for 2.333 per cent of the farmers.  The results indicate that, the depth of bore well was found to be 6.75 meters.  The results indicate that small, semi medium and medium farmers had an irrigated area of 0.81 ha, 5 ha, 6.60 ha and 7.85 ha respectively.  The results indicate that, farmers have grown bajra (4.19 ha), bengal gram (11.72 ha), green gram (9.13 ha), sorghum (5.7 ha), maize (25.15 ha), paddy (5.44 ha), red gram (2.18 ha), sunflower (14.92ha) and onion (0.89ha). Marginal farmers had grown Bengal gram, green gram, maize, and sunflower. Small farmers had bajra, Bengal gram, green gram, sorghum, maize, red gram and sunflower. Semi medium farmers had grown Bengal gram, green gram, sorghum, maize and paddy; Medium farmers had grown bajra, Bengal gram, maize, paddy, red gram and sunflower. 3  The results indicate that, the cropping intensity in Virapura-2 micro-watershed was found to be 76.55 per cent.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for bajra was Rs. 16061.72. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 16880.12. The net income from bajra cultivation was Rs. 818.40. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.05.  The total cost of cultivation for Bengal gram was Rs. 36704.16. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 47286.72. The net income from Bengal gram cultivation was Rs. 10582.56. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.29.  The total cost of cultivation for green gram was Rs. 25898.32. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 46103.12. The net income from green gram cultivation was Rs. 20204.80. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.78.  The total cost of cultivation for sorghum was Rs. 54260.50. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 31863.00. The net income from sorghum cultivation was Rs. -22397.50. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.59.  The total cost of cultivation for Maize was Rs. 27769.24. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 46789.16. The net income from Maize cultivation was Rs. 19019.92. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.68.  The total cost of cultivation for Paddy was Rs. 50929.31. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 89645.05. The net income from Paddy cultivation was Rs. 38715.74. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.76.  The total cost of cultivation for red gram was Rs. 25709.83. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 32750.60. The net income from red gram cultivation was Rs. 7040.77. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.27.  The total cost of cultivation for sunflower was Rs. 22835.52. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 55494.51. The net income from sunflower cultivation was Rs. 32658.99. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:2.43.  The total cost of cultivation for onion was Rs. 45678.79. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 85327.27. The net income from onion cultivation was Rs. 39648.49. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.87.  The results indicate that, 9.30 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was adequate, 30.23 green fodders was adequate and 20.93 per cent was inadequate of the households.  The results indicate that the annual gross income was Rs. 49,600 for landless farmers, for marginal farmers it was Rs. 72,985.71, for small farmers it was Rs. 109,237.37, for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 123,500 and for medium farmers it was Rs. 355,462.50.  The results indicate that the average annual expenditure is Rs. 10,583.65. For landless households it was Rs. 3,760, for marginal farmers it was Rs. 9,061.22, for small farmers it was Rs. 4,861.50, for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 11,812.50 and for medium farmers it was Rs. 46,500. 4  The results indicate that, households have planted 5 tamarind and banyan 35 neem trees in their field.  The results indicated that, households have an average investment capacity of Rs. 2,209.3 for land development and Rs. 1,046.51 for improved crop production.  The results indicated that loan from bank was the source of additional investment for 20 per cent for land development and improved crop production.  The results indicated that, bajra, Bengal gram, green gram, sorghum, maize, onion, paddy, red gram and sunflower were sold to the extent of 100 per cent. The results indicated that, about 6.98 per cent of the farmers sold their produce to agent/ traders and contract marketing arrangement and 39.53 per cent of the farmers sold their produce to local/village merchants, regulated market and cooperative marketing society.  The results indicated that, 127.91 per cent of the households used tractor and 4.65 per cent of them used truck as a mode of transportation for their agricultural produce.  The results indicated that, 32.56 per cent of the households have experienced soil and water erosion problems in the farm.  The results indicated that, 39.53 per cent have shown interest in soil test.  The results indicated that, 90.7 per cent of the households used firewood, 2.33 per cent of the households used kerosene and 6.98 per cent of the households used LPG as a source of fuel.  The results indicated that, piped supply was the major source of drinking water for 51.16 per cent of the households and bore well was the source of drinking water for 48.84 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, 44.19 per cent of the households possess sanitary toilet facility.  The results indicated that, 6.98 per cent of the sampled households possessed APL and 76.74 per cent of the sample households possessed BPL card and 16.28 per cent of the households did not possess any PDS card.  The results indicated that, 37.21 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 58.14 per cent, oilseeds were adequate for 4.65 per cent, vegetables were adequate for 11.63 per cent, milk and egg were adequate for 53.49 per cent and meat were adequate for 51.16 per cent.  The results indicated that, pulses and milk were inadequate for 41.86 per cent, oilseeds and fruits were inadequate for 62.79 per cent, vegetables were inadequate 5 for 51.16 per cent, fruits were inadequate for 69.77 per cent, milk were inadequate for 41.86 per cent and egg were inadequate were 44.19 per cent of the households.  The results indicated that, oilseeds were market surplus for 30.23 per cent; vegetables were market surplus for 37.21 per cent and meat were market surplus for 18.60 per cent of the households.  The results indicated that, lower fertility status of the soil and high rate of interest on credit was the constraint experienced by 46.51 per cent of the households, wild animal menace on farm field (55.81%),inadequacy of irrigation water (41.86%), high cost of fertilizers and plant protection chemicals and less rainfall (48.84%), lack of marketing facilities in the area (4.65%), low price for the agricultural commodities(2.33%), lack of transport for safe transport of the agricultural produce to the market and Source of Agri-technology information (44.19%)