LAND RESOURCE INVENTORY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF FARM HOUSEHOLDS FOR WATERSHED PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT HALIGER-2 (4D4A1T1b) & HALIGER-3 (4D4A1T1a) MICRO WATERSHED Alavandi Hobli, Koppal Taluk and District, Karnataka ; Not Available

Abstract

Not Available ; The land resource inventory of Haligeri-2 & Haligeri-3 microwatersheds 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 microwatersheds. The present study covers an area of 509 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 93 per cent is covered by soils, 7 per cent by water bodies, settlements and others. The salient findings from the land resource inventory are summarized briefly below.  The soils belong to 6 soil series and 9 soil phases (management units) and 4 land use classes.  The length of crop growing period is 9.0) soils.  The Electrical Conductivity (EC) of the entire soils is 337 kg/ha) in available potassium content.  Available sulphur is low (20 ppm).  Available boron is medium (0.5-1.0 ppm) in about 45 per cent and high (>1.0 ppm) in about 48 per cent area.  Available iron is sufficient (>4.5 ppm) in 20 per cent and deficient (0.6 ppm) in about 16 per cent area.  Available manganese and copper are sufficient in all the soils.  The land suitability for 28 major crops grown in the microwatersheds 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 microwatersheds Crop Suitability Area in ha (%) Crop Suitability Area in ha (%) Highly suitable (S1) Moderately suitable (S2) Highly suitable (S1) Moderately suitable (S2) Sorghum 105 (21) 139 (27) Pomegranate - 142 (28) Maize - 147 (29) Guava - 78 (15) Bajra 43 (8) 103 (20) Jackfruit - 78 (15) Red gram - 142 (28) Jamun - 78 (15) Bengalgram 98 (19) 146 (29) Musambi - 141 (28) Groundnut 1 (<1) 180 (35) Lime - 176 (35) Sunflower - 177 (35) Cashew - 77 (15) Cotton 98 (19) 146 (29) Custard apple 141 (28) 138 (27) Chilli 42 (8) 104 (20) Amla 43 (8) 237 (46) Tomato 42 (8) 104 (20) Tamarind - 1 (<1) Drumstick - 141 (28) Marigold - 245 (48) Mulbery 1 (<1) 176 (34) Chrysanthemum - 245 (48) Mango - 1 (<1) Jasmine - 146 (29) Sapota - 43 (8) Crossandra - 146 (29) Apart from the individual crop suitability, a proposed crop plan has been prepared for the 4 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 that helps in maintaining productivity and ecological balance in the microwatersheds.  Maintaining soil-health is vital to 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 95 (56.55%) men and 73 (43.45%) women among the sampled households.  The average family size of landless farmers' was 4, marginal farmers' was 4.92, small farmers' was 4.1, semi medium farmers' was 5.2 and medium farmers' was 4.  The data indicated that, 28 (16.67%) people were in 0-15 years of age, 73 (43.45%) were in 16-35 years of age, 46 (27.38%) were in 36-60 years of age and 21 (12.50%) were above 61 years of age.  The results indicated that Haligeri-2 & Haligeri-3 had 26.79 per cent illiterates, 1.19 per cent of them had functional illiterates, 24.40 per cent of them had primary school education, 4.76 per cent of them had middle school education, 21.43 per cent of them had high school education, 10.12 per cent of them had PUC education, 1.79 per cent of them had ITI, 5.95 per cent of them had degree education and 0.60 per cent did master's and Ph.D.  The results indicate that, 48.65 per cent of households were practicing agriculture, 45.95 per cent of the households were agricultural labourers, 8.11 per cent of the households were general labourers and 2.70 per cent of them were student.  The results indicate that agriculture was the major occupation for 32.14 per cent of the household members, 29.76 per cent were agricultural laborers, 5.36 per cent were general labourers, 0.60 per cent were in government service, 3.57 per cent were in private service, 25.60 per cent were students, 1.19 per cent were housewives and 1.79 per cent were children.  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 2.70 per cent of the households possess thatched house, 86.49 per cent of the households possess katcha house and 10.81 per cent of them possess pucca house.  The results show that 62.16 per cent of the households possess TV, 54.05 per cent of the households possess mixer/grinder, 8.11 per cent of the households possess bicycle, 18.92 per cent of the households possess motor cycle, and 97.30 per cent of the households possess mobile phones.  The results show that the average value of television was Rs. 8,782, mixer/grinder was Rs.2,075, bivycle was Rs. 11,166, motor cycle was Rs. 34,000 and mobile phone was Rs. 2,807.  About 2.70 per cent of the households possess bullock cart, 18.92 per cent of the households possess plough, 56.76 per cent of them weeder and 8.11 per cent of them possess chaff cutter.  The results show that the average value of bullock cart was Rs. 21,000, plough was Rs.1,000, average value of weeder was Rs.48 and chaff cutter was Rs. 266. 2  The results indicate that, 24.32 per cent of the households possess bullocks, 16.22 per cent of the households possess local cow and 2.70 per cent of them possess crossbreed cow and sheep.  The results indicate that, average own labour men available in the micro watershed was 1.76, average own labour (women) available was 1.24, average hired labour (men) available was 6.06 and average hired labour (women) available was 5.73.  The results indicate that, 86.49 per cent of the households opined that the hired labour was adequate.  The results indicate that, households of the Haligeri-2 & Haligeri-3 microwatershed possess 28.39 ha (83.86%) of dry land and 5.46 ha (16.14%) of irrigated land. Marginal farmers possess 6.341 ha (87.81%) of dry land and 0.89 ha (12.19%) of irrigated land. Small farmers possess 10.64 ha (88.85%) of dry land and 1.34 ha (11.15%) of irrigated land. Semi medium farmers possess 11.33 ha (100.00%) of dry land. Medium farmers possess 3.24 ha (68.17%) of irrigated land.  The results indicate that, the average value of dry land was Rs. 417,241.63 and average value of irrigated land was Rs. 402,518.52. In case of marginal famers, the average land value was Rs. 771,388.01 for dry land and Rs. 1,234,999.97 for irrigated land. In case of small famers, the average land value was Rs. 328,707.23 for dry land and Rs. 523,939.40 for irrigated land. In case of semi medium famers, the average land value was Rs. 299,928.57 for dry land. In case of medium farmers, the average land value was Rs. 123,500.00 for irrigated land.  The results indicate that, there were 5 functioning bore wells in the micro watershed.  The results indicate that, bore well was the major irrigation source in the micro water shed for 13.51 per cent of the farmers.  The results indicate that, the depth of bore well was found to be 14.42 meters.  The results indicate that, marginal, small and medium farmers had an irrigated area of 0.91 ha, 1.34 ha and 3.24 ha respectively.  The results indicate that, farmers have grown bajra (2.64 ha), Bengal gram (0.81 ha), cotton (2.43 ha), green gram (1.26 ha), groundnut (4.53 ha), maize (15.96 ha) and sorghum (5.83 ha). Marginal farmers have grown bajra, Bengal gram, groundnut, maize and sunflower. Small farmers had grown bajra, cotton, greengram, groundnut, maize and sunflower. Semi medium farmers had grown groundnut, maize and sunflower. Medium farmers had grown maize.  The results indicate that, the cropping intensity in Haligeri-2 & Haligeri-3 microwatershed was found to be 99.93 per cent.  The results indicate that, 2.70 per cent of the households have bank account and savings.  The results indicate that, 2.70 per cent of the households have availed credit from different sources. 3  The results indicate that, the total cost of cultivation for bajra was Rs. 79762.40. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 59035.76. The net income from bajra cultivation was Rs. -20726.64, thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.74.  The total cost of cultivation for bengal gram was Rs. 60725.87. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 93860.00. The net income from bengal gram cultivation was Rs. 33134.13, thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.55.  The total cost of cultivation for green gram was Rs. 22926.41. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 39838.71. The net income from Green gram cultivation was Rs. 16912.30, thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.74.  The total cost of cultivation for groundnut was Rs. 40061.50. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 28619.46. The net income from groundnut cultivation was Rs. -11442.04. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:0.71.  The total cost of cultivation for maize was Rs. 50934.85. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 58580.03. The net income from maize cultivation was Rs.7645.18. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.15.  The total cost of cultivation for sunflower was Rs. 37226.95. The gross income realized by the farmers was Rs. 58951.17. The net income from sunflower cultivation was Rs. 21724.22. Thus the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1:1.58.  The results indicate that, 37.84 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was adequate and 43.24 per cent of the households opined that green fodder was adequate.  The results indicate that the annual gross income was Rs. 52,857.14 for landless farmers, for marginal farmers it was Rs. 79,121.43, for small farmers it was Rs. 88,395, for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 118,570 and for medium farmers it was Rs. 75,000.  The results indicate that the average annual expenditure is Rs. 7,554.34. For landless households it was Rs. 6,020.41, for marginal farmers it was Rs. 3,974.49, for small farmers it was Rs. 5,572.50, for semi medium farmers it was Rs. 16,000 and for medium farmers it was Rs. 46,000.  The results indicate that, sampled households have grown 80 coconut tree and 1 mango trees in the field. Also, 1 coconut tree in the backyard.  The results indicate that, households have planted 16 teak and 65 neem trees in their field.  The results indicated that, bajra was sold to the extent of 100 per cent, Bengal gram was sold to the extent of 93.75 per cent and cotton, green gram, groundnut, maize, and sunflower was sold to the extent of 100 per cent.  The results indicated that, about 78.38 per cent of the farmers sold their produce to local/village merchants and 2.70 per cent of their produce to regulated markets. 4  The results indicated that, 81.08 per cent of the households have used tractor as a mode of transportation for their agricultural produce.  The results indicated that, 62.16 per cent of the households have experienced soil and water erosion problems in the farm.  The results indicated that, 78.38 per cent have shown interest in soil test.  The results indicated that, 83.72 per cent of the households used firewood and 16.22 per cent used LPG as a source of fuel.  The results indicated that, piped supply was the major source of drinking water for 89.19 per cent and bore well and lake/tank was the source of drinking water for 5.41 per cent of the households in the micro watershed.  Electricity was the major source of light for 100 per cent of the households in micro watershed.  The results indicated that, 54.05 per cent of the households possess sanitary toilet.  The results indicated that, 97.30 per cent of the sampled households possessed BPL card.  The results indicated that, 24.32 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 91.89 per cent, vegetables and fruits were adequate for 5.41 per cent, milk and meat was adequate for 97.30 per cent and eggs were adequate for 94.59 per cent.  The results indicated that, pulses were inadequate for 8.11 per cent, oilseed were inadequate for 97.30 per cent, vegetables and fruits were inadequate for 94.59 per cent, milk and eggs were inadequate for 2.70 per cent of the households.  The results indicated that, lower fertility status of the soil was the constraint experienced by 81.08 per cent of the households, wild animal menace on farm field, frequent incidence of pest and diseases, inadequacy of irrigation water, high cost of fertilizers and plant protection chemicals was the constraint experienced by 78.38 per cent of the households, high rate of interest on credit (62.16%), low price for the agricultural commodities (56.76%), lack of marketing facilities in the area (29.73%), inadequate extension services (18.92%), lack of transport for the safe transport of agricultural produce to the market (10.81 %) and source of agri technology information (2.70 %). ; Watershed Development Department, Government of Karnataka (World Bank Funded) Sujala –III Project