Evaluating land suitability analysis for teff (Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter) production in Agamsa sub-watershed, Northeastern Ethiopia: an integration of GIS and analytical hierarchy process approach

Abstract

Land suitability assessment is crucial for enhancing agricultural productivity in Ethiopia’s midlands, where teff is a major staple crop. This study employed an integrated Geographic Information System (GIS) and Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) approach to evaluate land suitability for teff cultivation in the Agamsa sub-watershed Northeastern Ethiopia. Key biophysical factors including soil properties, topography, climate, and land use were weighted using AHP and analyzed spatially through GIS-based overlay techniques. Surface soil samples (0–30 cm) were collected from nine land units using a composite sampling method and analyzed following standard laboratory procedures. Climatic data (rainfall and temperature) were obtained from the Sirinka Agricultural Research Center, while topographic data (slope) were derived from a Digital Elevation Model (DEM). The results indicated predominantly loam-textured soils with pH values ranging from 6.13 to 6.71, total nitrogen (TN) from 0.06 to 0.72%, and available phosphorus (Av. P) from 2.5 to 9.65 mg/kg. Suitability classification revealed that 77.83% of the area is moderately suitable (S2), 14.96% highly suitable (S1), and 7.21% marginally suitable (S3) for teff production. This study is the first to apply an integrated GIS-AHP framework in the study area, providing a spatially explicit and quantitative assessment of teff suitability. It uniquely combines field-based soil data with multi-criteria analysis to produce high-resolution maps. The key finding reveals strong spatial variability within the watershed, highlighting the importance of site-specific land-use planning and supporting effective, evidence-based decision-making.