Geographical Information System (GIS) based Land Suitability Evaluation for Cash and Perennial Crops in East Amhara Region, Ethiopia

Abstract

The objective of this study was to spatially evaluate land suitability for sesame (Sesamum indicum L.), cotton ( Gossypium hirsutum L.), Enset (Ensete ventricosum L.) and Mango (Mangifera indica L.) crops in the East Amhara Region, Ethiopia based on FAO guidelines. Geographical Information System (GIS) was used to develop land suitability map. Land characteristics (LCs) and crop requirements used as criteria for crop suitability analysis were soil (soil depth, soil texture and pH), topographic (slope) and climatic (temperature) factors. Crop suitability map was made by matching between reclassified LCs with crop LURs using GIS model builder. The results indicated that the largest portion of the region (1649.8 ha (41.2%), 2760 ha (69 %), 2974 ha (74.35%) and 3852 ha (96.3%)) due to soil depth) were unsuitable due to soil depth for sesame, cotton, Enset and mango production, respectively. The map assists decision makers in the suitability of the crops’ production.

Keywords: land suitability evaluation; crop; GIS; Amhara, Ethiopia