All India Soil and Land Use Survey, Department of Agriculture, New Delhi
Importance of basic soil and land resources data for development planning, particularly for land and water management has been emphasised and illustrated by interpreting such data for Indore district, Madhya Pradesh. The soil and land resources inventory data were collected by using small area sample survey technique and were machine processed for determining extent under different characteristics. Interpretation of basic soil and land facts shows that nearly 63% of rainfed cropland, 48% of irrigated cropland and 87% of grassland need one or the other kind of soil conservation treatment. Total treatment costs for district work out at Rs. 240 lakhs over a period of 15 years. Average cost per hectare is about Rs. 129. Overall benefit: cost ratio for class IIe-1 lands is estimated at 7.1 and for class IIe-2 lands at 3.2 under rainfed cropping. Different land capability units under grassland development show benefit: cost ratio of 1.4 to 6.3
Soil and land inventory, sample soil survey, development planning, benefit: cost ratios
