LAND RESOURCE INVENTORY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF FARM HOUSEHOLDS FOR WATERSHED PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT MELLIKERI-1 (4D4A1Y2e) MICROWATERSHED Koppal Hobli, Koppal Taluk & District, Karnataka

Abstract

The land resource inventory of Mellikeri-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 313 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 83 per cent is covered by soils and 17 per cent by rock outcrops, habitation and water bodies, settlements and others. The salient findings from the land resource inventory are summarized briefly below.  The soils belong to 15 soil series and 28 soil phases (management units) and 5 land management units.  The length of crop growing period is 150 cm) soils.  About 65 per cent has loamy soils at the surface and 19 per cent has clayey soils at the surface.  About 46 per cent of the area has non-gravelly (0.75%) in 44 per cent area of the soils.  Available phosphorus content is medium (23-57 kg/ha) in 6 per cent and high (>57 kg/ha) in 77 per cent in the microwatershed.  Available potassium content is medium (145-337 kg/ha) 59 per cent and high (>337 kg/ha) in 24 per cent in the microwatershed.  Available sulphur is low (<10 ppm) in about 82 per cent and medium (10-20 ppm) in the area of about 1 per cent soils.  Available boron is low (0.5 ppm) in about 50 per cent and medium (0.5-1.0 ppm) in 33 per cent area.  Available iron is sufficient (>4.5 ppm) in 294 ha (43%) and deficient (<4.5 ppm) in 273 ha (40%) of the microwatershed.  Available zinc is deficient (<0.6 ppm) in 33 per cent and sufficient (>0.6 ppm) in 50 per cent in the microwatershed.  Available manganese and copper are sufficient in all the soils.  The land suitability for 31 major agricultural and horticultural crops grown in the microwatershed were 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 170 (25) 98 (14) Sapota 167 (24) 181 (26) Maize 62 (9) 206 (30) Pomegranate 167 (24) 181 (26) Bajra 180 (26) 265 (39) Musambi 167 (24) 181 (26) Groundnut 102 (15) 455 (66) Lime 167 (24) 181 (26) Sunflower 167 (24) 16 (2) Amla 183 (27) 386 (56) Red gram 167 (24) 15 (2) Cashew 154 (23) 194 (28) Bengalgram - 278 (41) Jackfruit 167 (24) 181 (26) Cotton 125 (18) 144 (21) Jamun 114 (17) 227 (33) Chilli 180 (26) 88 (13) Custard apple 183 (27) 386 (56) Tomato 180 (26) 88 (13) Tamarind 114 (17) 93 (14) Brinjal 58 (9) 325 (47) Mulberry 170 (25) 302 (44) Onion 46 (7) 338 (49) Marigold 157 (23) 111 (16) Bhendi 46 (7) 338 (49) Chrysanthemum 157 (23) 110 (16) Drumstick 170 (25) 137 (20) Jasmine 157 (23) 110 (16) Mango 114 (17) 56 (8) Crossandra 157 (23) 110 (16) Guava 145 (21) 204 (30)  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 that helps in maintaining productivity and ecological balance in the microwatershed.  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 Mellikeri-1 is located at North latitude 150 17' 30.116” and 150 14’ 43.018'' and East longitude 760 12’ 24.623'' and 750 10’ 25.943” covering an area of about 683.93 ha coming under Mallikeri, Hyati and Lachananakeri villages of Koppal taluk.  Socio-economic analysis of Mellikeri-1 micro watersheds of Chukkanakallu subwatershed, Koppal taluk & District indicated that, out of the total sample of 35 total respondents, 6 (17.14 %) were marginal, 12 (34.29%) were small, 5 (14.29 %) were Semi medium and 6 (17.14 %) were medium farmers.  The population characteristics of households indicated that, there were 86 (56.21%) men and 67 (43.79 %) were women.  Majority of the respondents (46.41%) were in the age group of 16-35 years.  Education level of the sample households indicated that, there were 32.03 per cent illiterates, 28.10 per cent of them had primary school education, 7.19 per cent middle school education, and 10.46 per cent high school education, 10.46 per cent of them had PUC education, 7.84 per cent attained graduation and 0.65 them had other education  About, 91.43 per cent of household heads practicing agriculture and 8.57 per cent of the household heads were engaged as agricultural labourers.  Agriculture was the major occupation for 24.18 per cent of the household members.  In the study area, 68.57 per cent of the households possess katcha house and 25.71 per cent possess pucca house.  The durable assets owned by the households showed that, 71.43 per cent possess TV, 74.29 per cent possess mixer grinder, 88.57 per cent possess mobile phones and 42.86 per cent possess motor cycles.  Farm implements owned by the households indicated that, 54.29 per cent of the households possess plough, 2.86 per cent possess tractor, 20.00 per cent possess bullock cart and 22.86 per cent possess sprayer.  Regarding livestock possession by the households, 22.86 per cent possess local cow and 5.71 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 19.63 each, while the hired labour (men) availability was1.43.  Further, 91.43 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 30.12 per cent (37.69 ha) of the area is under dry condition and the remaining 69.88 per cent area is irrigated land. 2  There were 18.00 live bore wells and 11.00 dry bore wells among the sampled households.  Bore/open well was the major source of irrigation for 42.9 per cent of the households.  The major crops grown by sample farmers are Maize, Sugarcane, Groundnut, Bajra Paddy, jowar, Bengal gram, Groundnut, Pearl millet, Tomato and Cowpea and cropping intensity was recorded as 99.78 per cent.  Out of the sample households 62.86 percent possessed bank account and 62.86 per cent of them have savings in the account.  About 62.86 per cent of the respondents borrowed credit from various sources.  Among the credit borrowed by households, 4.55 per cent have borrowed loan from co-operative/Grameena bank.  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, Sugarcane, Groundnut, Bajra and Paddy was Rs.30087.78, 47101.20, 44476.04, 27631.24 and 14979.63 with benefit cost ratio of 1:1.30, 1: 5.50, 1: 1.50, 1: 1.40 and 1:1.30 respectively.  Further, 25.71 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was adequate and 14.29 per cent of the households have opined that the green fodder was adequate.  The average annual gross income of the farmers was Rs. 109542.86 in microwatershed, of which Rs. 81785.71 comes from agriculture.  Sampled households have grown 51 horticulture trees and 60 forestry trees together in the fields and back yards.  Households have an average investment capacity of Rs. 485.71 for land development.  Source of funds for additional investment is concerned, 2.86 per cent depends on own funds and 2.86 per cent depends on bank loan for land development activities.  Regarding marketing channels, 28.57 per cent of the households have sold agricultural produce to the local/village merchants, while, 42.86 per cent have sold in regulated markets.  Further, 74.29 per cent of the households have used tractor for the transport of agriculture commodity.  Majority of the farmers (62.86%) have experienced soil and water erosion problems in the watershed and 62.86 per cent of the households were interested towards soil testing.  Fire was the major source of fuel for domestic use for 85.71 per cent of the households and 11.43 per cent households has LPG connection. 3  Piped supply was the major source for drinking water for 80.00 per cent of the households.  Electricity was the major source of light for 97.14 per cent of the households.  In the study area, 65.71 per cent of the households possess toilet facility.  Regarding possession of PDS card, 94.29 per cent of the households possessed BPL card, 2.86 per cent of the household’s possessed APL card.  Households opined that, the requirement of cereals (91.43%), pulses (74.29%) and oilseeds (14.29%) are adequate for consumption.  Farming constraints experienced by households in the micro watersheds were lower fertility status of the soil (62.86%) wild animal menace on farm field (71.43%), frequent incidence of pest and diseases (34.29%), inadequacy of irrigation water (11.43%), high cost of fertilizers and plant protection chemicals (22.86%), high rate of interest on credit (14.29%), low price for the agricultural commodities (11.43%), lack of marketing facilities in the area (25.71%), inadequate extension services (17.14%), lack of transport for safe transport of the agricultural produce to the market (25.71%), Less rainfall (51.43%) and Source of Agri-technology information (Newspaper/ TV/Mobile) (45.71%)