LAND RESOURCE INVENTORY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF FARM HOUSEHOLDS FOR WATERSHED PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT KATARKI WEST-3 (4D4A2R1d) MICRO WATERSHED Alavandi Hobli, Koppal Taluk and District, Karnataka ; Not Available

Open Access

Abstract

Not Available ; The land resource inventory of Katarki West-3 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 98 per cent is covered by soils and two per cent is by water bodies. 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 2 land use classes.  The length of crop growing period is 150 cm).  Entire area has clay soils at the surface.  Entire area has non-gravelly (200 mm/m) in available water capacity.  An area of about 73 per cent has very gently sloping (1-3%) lands and 25 per cent area has nearly level (0-1%) lands.  About 29 per cent area is slightly eroded (e1) and about 69 per cent area is moderately eroded (e2) lands.  Entire area is strongly alkaline (pH 8.4-9.0) to very strongly alkaline (pH >9.0) in soil reaction.  The Electrical Conductivity (EC) of the soils are dominantly 337 kg/ha) in available potassium.  Available sulphur is low (20 ppm) in 13 per cent area.  Available boron is low (4.5 ppm) in 47 per cent area and deficient (<4.5 ppm) in about 51 per cent area.  Available zinc is deficient (<0.6 ppm) in the entire area.  Available copper and manganese are sufficient in all the soils.  The land suitability for 28 major 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 511 (88) 60 (10) Pomegranate - 547 (92) Maize - - Guava - - Bajra - 36 (6) Jackfruit - - Groundnut - - Jamun - 436 (75) Sunflower 400 (69) 147 (25) Musambi 400 (69) 147 (25) Cotton 511 (88) 60 (10) Lime 400 (69) 147 (25) Red gram - 547 (94) Cashew - - Bengalgram 511 (88) 60 (10) Custard apple 511 (88) 60 (10) Chilli - - Amla - 571 (98) Tomato - - Tamarind - 436 (73) Drumstick - 547 (94) Marigold - 571 (98) Mulberry - 366 (63) Chrysanthemum - 571 (98) Mango - - Jasmine - 24 (4) Sapota - - Crossandra - 330 (57) Apart from the individual crop suitability, a proposed crop plan has been prepared for the 2 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. This 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 Katarki West-3 is located at North latitude 150 16' 32.303" and 150 15' 8.181" and East longitude 760 2' 48.78'' and 760 0' 43.888" covering an area of about 581.60 ha coming under Alavandi, Mynahalli and Bettageri Villages of Koppal taluk.  Socio-economic analysis of Katarki West-3 micro watersheds of Katarki subwatershed, Koppala taluk & District indicated that, out of the total sample of 35 farmers were sampled in Katarki West-3 micro-watershed among households surveyed 6 (17.14%) were marginal, 13 (37.14%) were small, 8 (22.86 %) were semi medium and 3 (8.57 %) were medium farmers. 5 landless farmers were also interviewed for the survey.  The population characteristics of households indicated that, there were 71 (52.21%) men and 65 (47.79 %) were women. The average population of landless was 2, marginal farmers were 3.7, small farmers were 4.5, semi medium farmers were 4.5 and medium farmers were 5.3.  Majority of the respondents (31.62%) were in the age group of 16-35 years.  Education level of the sample households indicated that, there were 25.74 per cent illiterates, 68.39 per cent pre university education and 2.94 per cent attained graduation.  About, 97.14 per cent of household heads practicing agriculture.  Agriculture was the major occupation for 27.21 per cent of the household members.  In the study area, 48.57 per cent of the households possess katcha house and 2.86 per cent possess pucca house.  The durable assets owned by the households showed that, 97.14 per cent possess TV, 74.29 per cent possess mixer grinder, 77.14 per cent possess mobile phones and 5.71 per cent possess motor cycles.  Farm implements owned by the households indicated that 2.86 per cent of the households possess Bullock Cart and 2.86 per cent possess Weeder.  Regarding livestock possession by the households, 5.71 per cent possess local cow and 2.86 per cent possess buffalo.  The average labour availability in the study area showed that, own labour men available in the micro watershed was 1.3, women available in the micro watershed was 1.15, hired labour (men) available was 4.57 and hired labour (women) available was 4.71.  Further, 100 per cent of the households opined that hired labour was inadequate during the agricultural season.  There were 6.00 live bore wells and 6.00 dry bore wells among the sampled households.  Bore well was the major source of irrigation for 17.14 per cent of the households.  The major crops grown by sample farmers are Maize, Bajra, Groundnut, Sunflower and Red gram and cropping intensity was recorded as 81.78 per cent. 2  Out of the sample households 82.86 percent possessed bank account and 82.86 per cent of them have savings in the account.  About 82.86 per cent of the respondents borrowed credit from various sources.  The per hectare cost of cultivation for Maize, Bajra, Groundnut, Sunflower and Red gram was Rs.31001.17, 26035.85, 36120.73, 46884.21 and 37551.71 with benefit cost ratio of 1:1.30, 1: 0.90, 1: 1.60, 1: 0.70 and 1:0.90 respectively.  Further, 2.86 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was adequate.  The average annual gross income of the farmers was Rs. 91645.14 in micro-watershed, of which Rs. 69208.57 comes from agriculture.  Sampled households have grown 8 horticulture trees and 16 forestry trees together in the fields and back yards.  Households have an average investment capacity of Rs. 657.14 for land development.  Source of funds for additional investment is concerned, 8.57 per cent depends on own funds.  Regarding marketing channels, 20.00 per cent of the households have sold agricultural produce to the local/village merchants, while, 80.00 per cent have sold in regulated markets.  Further, 100 per cent of the households have used tractor for the transport of agriculture commodity.  Majority of the farmers (97.14%) have experienced soil and water erosion problems in the watershed and 80.00 per cent of the households were interested towards soil testing.  Firewood 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 71.43 per cent of the households.  Electricity was the major source of light for 100.00 per cent of the households.  In the study area, 88.57 per cent of the households possess toilet facility.  Regarding possession of PDS card, 97.14 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 (97.14%), pulses (42.86%) and oilseeds (14.29%) are adequate for consumption.  Farming constraints experienced by households in the micro watersheds were lower fertility status of the soil (85.71%) wild animal menace on farm field (71.43%), frequent incidence of pest and diseases (28.57%), inadequacy of irrigation water (17.14%), high cost of fertilizers and plant protection chemicals (28.57%), high rate of interest on credit (8.57%), low price for the agricultural commodities (20.00%), lack of marketing facilities in the area (22.86%), inadequate extension services (14.29%), lack of transport for safe transport of the agricultural produce to the market (40.00%), Less rainfall (57.14%) and Source of Agri-technology information (Newspaper/ TV/Mobile) (37.14%). ; Watershed Development Department, Government of Karnataka (World Bank Funded) Sujala –III Project