LAND RESOURCE INVENTORY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF FARM HOUSEHOLDS FOR WATERSHED PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT KAVALUR EAST-5 (4D4A2P2e) MICROWATERSHED Alavandi Hobli, Koppal Taluk and District, Karnataka ; Not Available

Abstract

Not Available ; The land resource inventory of Kavalur East-5 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 408 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 soils, about one per cent by water bodies, settlements and others. The salient findings from the land resource inventory are summarized briefly below.  The soils belong to 7 soil series and 9 soil phases (management units) and 3 land use classes.  The length of crop growing period is 150 cm).  Entire area is having clayey soils at the surface.  About 51 per cent of the area has non-gravelly (200mm/m) .  An area of about 31 per cent has nearly level (0-1%) lands and 68 per cent has very gently sloping (1-3%) lands.  An area of about 31 per cent is slightly eroded (e1) and 68 per cent is moderately eroded (e2) lands.  An area of about 28 per cent strongly alkaline (pH 8.4 to 9.0) and 71 per cent soils are very strongly alkaline (pH>9.0).  The Electrical Conductivity (EC) of the soils are dominantly 0.75%) in 337 kg/ha) in 56 per cent area of the soils.  Available sulphur is low (20 ppm) in 26 per cent area of the soils.  Available boron is low (1.0 ppm) in 6 per cent area of the soils.  Available iron is deficient in the entire area of the microwatershed.  Available zinc is deficient (<0.6 ppm) in the entire area of the microwatershed.  Available manganese and copper are sufficient in the entire area.  The land suitability for 28 major 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 201(49) 97 (24) Pomegranate - 246(60) Maize - - Guava - - Bajra - - Jackfruit - - Redgram - 246(60) Jamun - 246 (61) Bengal gram 218(53) 80 (20) Musambi 201 (49) 49(12) Groundnut - - Lime 201 (49) 49 (12) Sunflower 201(49) 49(12) Cashew - - Cotton 218(53) 80(20) Custard apple 218 (53) 80(20) Chilli - - Amla - 298 (73) Tomato - - Tamarind 246 (60) Drumstick - 250(61) Marigold - 298(73) Mulberry - 184(45) Chrysanthemum - 298 (73) Mango - - Jasmine - 48 (12) Sapota - - Crossandra - 222(54) Apart from the individual crop suitability, a proposed crop plan has been prepared for the 3 identified LUCs 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 88 (53.33%) men and 77 (46.67%) women among the sampled households.  The average family size of landless farmers' was 3.2, marginal farmers' was 5, small farmers' was 4.8, semi medium farmers' was 3.5 and medium farmers were 4.5.  The data indicated that, 21 (12.73%) people were in 0-15 years of age, 68 (41.21%) were in 16-35 years of age, 60 (36.36%) were in 36-60 years of age and 16 (9.70%) were above 61 years of age.  The results indicated that Kavalur East-5 had 25.45 per cent illiterates, 0.61 per cent functional literates, 26.06 per cent of them had primary school education, 8.48 per cent of them had middle school education, 17.58 per cent of them had high school education, 11.52 per cent of them had PUC education, 1.21 per cent did ITI and 7.88 per cent of them had degree education.  The results indicate that, 83.33 per cent of household heads were practicing agriculture, 11.11 per cent of household heads were practicing agriculture labour and 2.78 per cent of household heads were practicing government service and student.  The results indicate that agriculture was the major occupation for 20.00 per cent of the household members, 53.94 per cent were agricultural labourers,3.64 per cent were household industry, 0.61 per cent were in government service, private service, trade and business and housewives, 17.58 per cent were students and 1.21 per cent were children's.  The results show that, 100 per cent of the population in the micro watershed has not participated in any local institutions.  The results indicate that 86.11 per cent of the households possess katcha house and 16.67 per cent of them possess pucca/RCC house.  The results show that 55.56 per cent of the households possess TV, 2.78 per cent of them possess DVD/VCD player, 47.22 per cent of them possess mixer/grinder, 19.44 per cent of the households possess bicycle, 33.33 per cent of the households possess motor cycle and 83.33 per cent of the households possess mobile phones.  The results show that the average value of television was Rs. 2,875, DVD/VCD player was 3,000, mixer grinder was Rs. 1,347, bicycle was Rs. 4,957, motor cycle was Rs. 28.038 and mobile phone was Rs. 2,411.  About, 8.33 per cent possess bullock cart, 11.11 per cent possess plough, 2.78 per cent possess tractor, 5.56 per cent possess sprayer, 55.56 per cent of them possess weeder and 8.33 per cent possess chaff cutter. 2  The results show that the average value of bullock cart Rs. 19,000, plough was Rs. 1,640, tractor was Rs. 500,000, sprayer was Rs. 2,000, weeder was Rs.18 and average value of chaff cutter was Rs.383.  The results indicate that, 8.33 per cent of the households possess bullocks and 2.78 per cent of the household possess local cow, buffalo, sheep and goat.  The results indicate that, average own labour men available in the micro watershed was 1.68, average own labour (women) available was 1.49, average hired labour (men) available was 10.74 and average hired labour (women) available was 7.38. The results indicate that, 100 per cent of the households opined that the hired labour was inadequate.  The results indicate that, households of the Kavalur East-5 micro-watershed possess 57.35 ha (100%) of dry land. Marginal farmers possess 8.79 ha (100%) of dry land. Small farmers possess 14.48 ha (100%) of dry land. Semi medium farmers possess 20.25 ha (100%) of dry land and medium farmers possess 13.84 ha (100 %) of dry land .  The results indicate that, the average value of dry land was Rs. 200,444.57. In case of marginal famers, the average land value was Rs. 489,221.56 for dry land. In case of small famers, the average land value was Rs. 248,588.20 for dry land. In case of semi medium famers, the average land value was Rs. 138,237.06 for dry land. In case of medium famers, the average land value was Rs. 57,777.78 for dry land.  The results indicate that, farmers have grown bajra (7.32 ha), Bengal gram (7.87 ha), cotton (1.34 ha), groundnut (1.68 ha), maize (11.30 ha), sorghum (9.18 ha) and sunflower (3.79 ha). Marginal farmers have grown bajra, bengal gram, cotton, groundnut, jowar, maize, sorghum and sunflower. While small farmers have grown bajra, cotton, maize, sorghum and sunflower. Semi medium farmers have grown Bengal gram, maize, sorghum, sunflower and jowar. Medium farmers have grown bajra, maize and sorghum.  The results indicate that, the cropping intensity in Kavalur East-5 microwatershed was found to be 80.26 per cent.  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for bajra was Rs.24059.71. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 21166.38. The net income from bajra cultivation was Rs. -2893.33. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.88.  The total cost of cultivation for Bengal gram was Rs. 31085.58. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 37668.39. The net income from Bengal gram cultivation was Rs. 6582.81. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.21.  The total cost of cultivation for cotton was Rs. 20577.65. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 28741.82. The net income from cotton cultivation was Rs. 8164.16. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.4. 3  The total cost of cultivation for groundnut was Rs. 35264.13. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 42238.30. The net income from groundnut cultivation was Rs. 6974.17. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.2.  The total cost of cultivation for jowar was Rs 11689.00. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 22920.54. The net income from jowar cultivation was Rs. 11231.54. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.96.  The total cost of cultivation for maize was Rs 22318.42. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 33174.30. The net income from maize cultivation was Rs. 10855.88. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.49.  The total cost of cultivation for sorghum was Rs. 25660.28. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 23632.22. The net income from sorghum cultivation was Rs. -2028.06. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.92.  The total cost of cultivation for sunflower was Rs. 18326.04. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 52611.00. The net income from sunflower cultivation was Rs. 34284.96. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:2.87.  The results indicate that, 5.56 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder, 2.78 per cent of the households opined that green fodder was adequate and 8.33 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was in adequate.  The results indicate that the annual gross income was Rs. 82,000 for landless farmers, for marginal farmers it was Rs. 62,963.64, for small farmers it was Rs. 126,379.40, semi medium farmers it was Rs. 159,450 and for medium farmers it was Rs. 335,000.  The results indicate that the average annual expenditure is Rs. 14,437.67. For landless households it was Rs. 12,750, for marginal farmers it was Rs. 2,570.25, for small farmers it was Rs. 8,240, for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 21,916.67 and medium farmers it was Rs. 85,000.  The results indicate that, sampled households have grown 3coconut trees in their field. The results indicate that, households have planted 2 eucalyptus, 2 teak, 28 neem, 4 tamarind and 5 banyan trees in their field.  The results indicated that, bajra, cotton, jowar, maize and sunflower was sold to the extent of 100 per cent, Bengal gram was sold to the extent of 98.67 per cent, groundnut was sold to the extent of 93.33 and sorghum was sold to the extent of 99.62 per cent.  The results indicated that, about 27.78 per cent of the farmers sold their produce to local/village, 61.11 per cent of the farmers sold their produce to regulated market, 2.78 per cent of the farmers sold their produce to cooperative marketing Society and contract marketing arrangement.  The results indicated that, 94.44 per cent of the households used tractor.  The results indicated that, 16.67 per cent of the households have experienced soil and water erosion problems in the farm. 4  The results indicated that, 75 per cent have shown interest in soil test.  The results indicated that, 100 per cent of the households used firewood and 2.78 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 for41.67 per cent of the households, bore well was the source of drinking water for 55.56 per cent of the households and 2.78 per cent of the households used lake/ tank.  Electricity was the major source of light for 100 per cent of the households in micro watershed.  The results indicated that, 63.89 per cent of the households possess sanitary toilet facility.  The results indicated that, 100 per cent of the sampled households possessed BPL card.  The results indicated that, 52.78 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 94.44 per cent, oilseed were adequate for 13.89 per cent vegetables were adequate for 11.11 per cent, fruits were adequate for 41.67 per cent, milk were adequate for 27.78 per cent, egg and meat was adequate for 22.22 per cent.  The results indicated that, pulses were inadequate for 5.56 per cent of the households, oilseeds were inadequate for 83.33 per cent, vegetables were inadequate for 980.56 per cent, fruits were inadequate for 47.22 per cent, milk were inadequate for 58.33 per cent, egg were inadequate for 77.78 per cent and meat were inadequate for 66.67 per cent of the households.  The results indicated that, lower fertility status of the soil was the constraint experienced by 86.11 per cent of the households, wild animal menace on farm field (80.56%), frequent incidence of pest and diseases (58.33%), inadequacy of irrigation water (38.89%), high cost of fertilizers and plant protection chemicals (36.11%), high rate of interest on credit (19.44%), low price for the agricultural commodities (13.89%), lack of marketing facilities in the area (11.11%), inadequate extension services (8.33%), lack of transport for safe transport of the agricultural produce to the market (47.22%), less rain fall (66.67 %) and source of Agri-technology information (19.44%). ; Watershed Development Department, Government of Karnataka (World Bank Funded) Sujala –III Project