LAND RESOURCE INVENTORY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF FARM HOUSEHOLDS FOR WATERSHED PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT SHETHALLI-1 (4D5B1P2f) MICROWATERSHED Yadgir Taluk and District, Karnataka ; Not Available

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Abstract

Not Available ; The land resource inventory of Shethalli-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 the 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 632 ha in Yadgir taluk & district, Karnataka. The climate is semiarid and categorized as drought-prone with an average annual rainfall of 866 mm, of which about 652 mm is received during south-west monsoon, 138 mm during north-east and the remaining 76 mm during the rest of the year. An area of 564 ha (89%) in the microwatershed is covered by soils, 34 ha (5%) by mining/industrial, 5 ha (1%) by railway and 29 ha (5%) by others (habitation and water bodies). The salient findings from the land resource inventory are summarized briefly below.  The soils belong to 4 soil series and 5 soil phases (management units) and 2 land use class.  The length of crop growing period is about 120-150 days starting from 1st week of June to 4th week of October.  From the master soil map, several interpretative and thematic maps like land capability, soil depth, surface soil texture, soil gravelliness, available water capacity, soil slope and soil erosion were generated.  Soil fertility status maps for macro and micronutrients were generated based on the surface soil samples collected at every 320 m grid interval.  Land suitability for growing 29 major agricultural and horticultural crops was assessed and maps showing the degree of suitability along with constraints were generated.  Entire area in the microwatershed is suitable for agriculture.  About 60 per cent area of the microwatershed has soils that are very deep (>150 cm), 7 per cent soils are deep (100-150 cm) and 22 per cent soils are moderately deep (75-100 cm).  About 3 per cent area in the microwatershed has loamy soils and 86 per cent clayey soils.  Entire area of the microwatershed has non gravelly (200 mm/m) in available water capacity.  Entire area of the microwatershed has very gently sloping (1-3% slope) lands in the microwatershed.  An area of about 78 per cent are moderately (e2) eroded and 11 per cent area is severely (e3) eroded.  An area of about 4 per cent is slightly alkaline (pH 7.3-7.8), 21 per cent is moderately alkaline (pH 7.8-8.4), 52 per cent is strongly alkaline (pH 8.4- 9.0) and 12 per cent is very strongly alkaline (pH >9.0)in reaction.  The Electrical Conductivity (EC) of the soils in the entire area of the microwatershed is 0.75%) in organic carbon.  About 75 per cent area is low (337 kg/ha) in available potassium.  Available sulphur is low (1.0 ppm) in 24 per cent area of the microwatershed.  Available iron is deficient (4.5 ppm) in 57 per cent area of the microwatershed.  Available manganese is sufficient in the entire soils of the microwatershed.  Available copper is sufficient in the entire soils of the microwatershed.  Available zinc is deficient (<0.6 ppm) in the entire soils of the microwatershed.  The land suitability for 29 major agricultural and horticultural 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 564(89) - Guava - - Maize - 542(86) Sapota - - Bajra - 564(89) Pomegranate - 565(89) Groundnut - - Musambi 352(56) 213(33) Sunflower 352(56) 212(33) Lime 352(56) 213(33) Redgram - 564(89) Amla 422(67) 142(22) Bengal gram 564(89) - Cashew - - Cotton 422(67) 142(22) Jackfruit - - Chilli - 564(89) Jamun - 423(67) Tomato - - Custard apple 564(89) - Drumstick - 564(89) Tamarind - 423(67) Brinjal 212(33) 352(56) Mulberry - - Bhendi 212(33) 352(56) Marigold - 564(89) Onion 142(22) 114(18) Chrysanthemum - 564(89) Mango - -  Apart from the individual crop suitability, a proposed crop plan has been prepared for the 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.,  Drainage line treatment and Soil and water conservation treatment plans have 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 not only supplementing the farm income but also provide fodder and fuel and generate lot of biomass which would help in maintaining an ecological balance and also contribute to mitigating the climate change. FINDINGS OF THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC SURVEY  The survey was conducted in Shethalli-1 is located at North latitude 160 32' 9.119" and 160 30' 9.341" and East longitude 770 17' 47.251'' and 770 15' 40.363" covering an area of about 631.73 ha coming under Shettilli, Sangavara and Badiyala Villages of Yadagiri taluk.  Socio-economic analysis indicated that, out of the total sample of 34 respondents, 5 (14.71%) were marginal, 17(50%) were small and 5 (14.71%) were semi medium and 2 (5.88%) were medium farmers.  The population characteristics of households indicated that, there were 85 (56.29%) men and 66 (43.71%) were women.  Majority of the respondents (44.37%) were in the age group of 35-60 years.  Education level of the sample households indicated that, majority there were 21.85 per cent illiterates, 7.95 per cent attained graduation.  About, 64.71 per cent of household heads practicing agriculture and 23.53 per cent of the household heads were engaged as agricultural labourers.  Agriculture was the major occupation for 33.11 per cent of the household members.  In the study area, 76.47 per cent of the households possess katcha house and 20.59 per cent possess pucca house.  The durable assets owned by the households showed that, 97.06 per cent possess TV, 64.71 per cent possess mixer grinder and 94.12 per cent possess mobile phones.  Farm implements owned by the households indicated that, 20.59 per cent of the households possess plough and only 5.88 per cent sprayer.  Regarding livestock possession by the households, 14.71 per cent possess local cow respectively.  The average labour availability in the study area showed that, own men and women labour availability in the micro watershed was 11.18 each, while the hired labour (men) availability was 1.24.  Further, 5.88 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 (52.23 ha), 100 per cent of the area is under dry condition.  The major crops grown by sample farmers are Red gram, Cotton and Maize and cropping intensity was recorded as 100 per cent.  The sample households possessed 91.18 per cent bank account and 73.53 per cent of them have savings in the account.  About 55.88 per cent of the respondents borrowed credit from various sources.  Among the credit borrowed by households, 12 per cent have borrowed loan from commercial banks and 48 per cent from Cooperative bank.  Majority of the respondents (100 %) have borrowed loan for agriculture purpose. 2  Regarding the opinion on institutional sources of credit, 87.50 per cent of the households opined that credit helped to perform timely agricultural operations.  The per hectare cost of cultivation for Red gram, Cotton and Maize was Rs.25139.34 , 26052.83 and 30901.04 with benefit cost ratio of 1:2.60, 1: 2.50, and 1: 1.10, respectively.  Further, 5.88 per cent of the households opined that dry fodder was adequate.  The average annual gross income of the farmers was Rs. 150911.76 in microwatershed, of which Rs. 91147.06 comes from agriculture.  Sampled households have grown horticulture tree are coconut (16), Mango (1) and lime (2) in the fields and forest species have planted 7 teak trees, 59 neem trees, 6 tamarind trees, 3 acacia trees, 13 banyan trees together in both field and backyard.  Households have an average investment capacity of Rs. 8264.71 for land development, Rs.588.24 for adoption of improved livestock breeds and Rs.294.12 adoption of improved livestock management.  Regarding marketing channels, 44.12 per cent of the households have sold agricultural produce to the local/village merchants, while, 32.35 per cent have sold by Agents/Traders.  Further, 61.76 per cent of the households have used tractor for the transport of agriculture commodity.  Majority of the farmers (85.29 %) have experienced soil and water erosion problems in the watershed and 50 per cent of the households were interested towards soil testing.  Firewood connection was the major source of fuel for domestic use for 88.24 per cent of the households and 11.76 per cent households has LPG.  Piped supply was the major source for drinking water for 97.06 per cent of the households.  Electricity was the major source of light for 100 per cent of the households. In the study area, 38.24 per cent of the households possess toilet facility.  Regarding possession of PDS card, 94.12 per cent of the households possessed BPL card and 2.94 per cent do not possess PDS card.  Cereals (100%), pulses (79.41%), oilseeds (55.88%) were adequate for consumption.  Farming constraints experienced by households in the micro watersheds were lower fertility status of the soil (94.12%) wild animal menace on farm field (88.24%), frequent incidence of pest and diseases (61.76%), inadequacy of irrigation water (14.71%), high cost of fertilizers and plant protection chemicals (64.71%), high rate of interest on credit (55.88%), low price for the agricultural commodities (58.82%), lack of marketing facilities in the area (67.65%), inadequate extension services (38.24%), lack of transport for safe transport of the agricultural produce to the market (61.76%). ; Watershed Development Department, Government of Karnataka (World Bank Funded) Sujala –III Project