Land suitability analysis for agricultural planning using GIS and multi criteria decision analysis approach in Greater Karu Urban Area, Nasarawa State, Nigeria

Type Journal Article - African Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology (AJAST)
Title Land suitability analysis for agricultural planning using GIS and multi criteria decision analysis approach in Greater Karu Urban Area, Nasarawa State, Nigeria
Author(s)
Volume 1
Issue 1
Publication (Day/Month/Year) 2013
Page numbers 14-23
URL http://www.oceanicjournals.org/ajast/pdf/2013/Nov/JOSHUA et al.pdf
Abstract
The increasing world population, coupled with the growing pressure on the land resources necessitates the
application of technologies such as geographic information systems (GIS) to help in identifying the most
suitable areas fora sustainable agricultural production for food supply according to the environmental
potential. Selecting the best location for agricultural production is a complex process involving not only
technical requirement, but also physical, economic, social, and environmental requirements that may result in
conflicting objectives. Such complexities, necessitate the simultaneous use of several decision support tools
such as geographic information systems (GIS) and multi criteria decision analysis (MCDA) using analytical
hierarchy process (AHP). In this study, a model was developed to determine the suitability of the area for
agricultural production using soils, slope, water bodies and geological maps of the area to support decisions
making for sustainable agricultural production. This integration could benefit farmers and decision makers in
agriculture planning. The central theme of this study is to explain the process of developing a prototype GIS
application to provide a system for supporting location decisions with respect to the implementation of
agricultural planning. GIS was used based on a set of criteria derived from the spatial and environment aspect.

Related studies

»